LATE BISHOP OF KIMBERLEY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 186, 9 May 1928, Page 8

LATE BISHOP OF KIMBERLEY

A DISTINGUISHED NEW ZEALANDER.

Writing from South Africa on March 19, a correspondent states: — . A distinguished New Zealander in the ' person of the Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman, the Right Rev. Wilfrid GoreBrowne, M.A., passed away on Thursday, March 15. at the Kimberley Hospital, following a serious operation for internal trouble. The unexpected news Of his death created a profound sensation in Kimberley, where he was held in high respect for his singular devotion to duty, and his tact and ability as an administrator and organiser. So much did the call of Christian duty appeal to him that he never accepted a penny ot bis stipend, devoting it all to the furtherance of Church work in South Africa. The late Bishop Gore-Browne was the youngest son of the late Colonel Sir Thomas Gore-Browne, K.C.M.G., who was Governor of New Zealand from 1800 to 1861. being succeeded in the latter year by Sir George Grey, K.C.8., then entering upon his second term of office m the Dominion. The late Bishop, who was 6J years of age when he died, was born at Auckland during his father's tenure oi Imperial office in New Zealand. Educated at Harrow and at Trinity College, Cambridge, lie was called to the Church, and was ordained in 18S2. He was curate of Pallion, Sunderland, 188283; St. Hilda’s, South Shields, 1883-87; St. John the Evangelist, Darlington. 1887-89; and Perpetual Curate of St. Hilda’s, Darlington, 1889-1902. Then going out to South Africa, he was foi seven years Rector of I’retoria (1902 to 1909), and. afterwards, Dean of Pretoria until 1912. He was appointed Bishop ol Kimberley and Kuruman in 1912, in which year he was enthroned first Bishop of Kimberley. . Under the late Bishop the diocese developed from a handful of clergy, numbering less than a dozen workers,. to something like from twenty to thirty. Many new parishes were formed,, new districts Opened up, and native missions especially were greatly developed, for among the native population the prelate specially laboured.