New Appointments Of Archdeacons

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31654, 15 April 1968, Page 8

New Appointments Of Archdeacons

The Rev. Canon R. O. Williams, who has been Vicar of Papanui since 1964, has been appointed | Archdeacon of Rangiora and Westland. Archdeacon Williams, who was ordained in 1941, has been vicar of Ross and South Westland, Linwood, Lincoln, Hokitika, and Opawa-St Martins. From 1949 to 1953 he was Rural Dean of Westland and since 1962 he has been a Canon of Christchurch Cathedral. For several years he has been a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee and at present he is chairman of the diocesan committee on church union. The Ven. H. M. Cocks, who

has been Archdeacon of Christchurch since 1960 and Vicar-General of the Diocese since 1962, becomes Archdeacon Emeritus. He will remain, however, as VicarGeneral and as assistant to the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt). Archdeacon Cocks, who was ordained in Christchurch in 1925, was curate of Geraldine, priest in charge of Ashburton and Waikari and vicar of Kumara, Mount Somers, Waikari and Papanui. From 1948 to 1959 he was a Canon of Christchurch Cathedral and Rural Dean of Christchurch North. Before being appointed Archdeacon of Christchurch he was Archdeacon of Rangiora and Westland for one year. From 1960 to 1962 he was deputy VicarGeneral of the Diocese. The Ven. R. P. F. Plaistowe, formerly Archdeacon of Sumner and the future vicar of Merivale, will become Archdeacon of Christchurch and deputy Vicar-General of the Diocese. He will be instituted as Vicar of Merivale at a service at St Mary’s at 730 p.m. on April 20. The Ven. H. G. Norris, who is the Precentor of Christchurch Cathedral and chaplain to St Margaret’s College, has been appointed Archdeacon of Sumner.

Before being appointed to his Christchurch position towards the end of last year. Archdeacon Norris had been vicar of Ashburton since 1960 and Archdeacon of Timaru since 1963.