INDUCTION CEREMONY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 158, 1 April 1937, Page 12

INDUCTION CEREMONY

New Vicar of St. Hilda’s, Island Bay

ADDRESS BY BISHOP

There was a large congregation at the induction ceremony performed last night by the Bishop of Wellington, Kt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, when the Rev. J. R. Neild took over his new duties as vic,ar of St. Hilda’s Church, Island Bay. There was also a dedication of the eastern porch and memorial tablet to Mr. William Beckett, who was an enthusiastic worker in the parish and formerly church warden at Levin. The late Mr. Beckett bequeathed £lOO to the Melanesian mission and £5O to St. Hilda’s parish.

The clergy present, including both visitors and those officiating, were: The Ven. Archdeacon A. L. Hansell, the Rev. 11. S. I. Kenny, I’otonv, and the Rev. F. A. Tooley, Berhampore. Mr. E. J. Smith, vicar's warden, handed over the keys ot the parish during the ceremony.

The bishop, iu his address toward the close of the service, said that all present must be experiencing feelings of thanksgiving mingled with feelings of sorrow. Thanksgiving for the new ministry and sorrow for the close of the old one. The past vicar, the Rev. ,1. G. C. Blpthwayt, who was farewelled on Tuesday night, had served the parish with loyalty for IS years, and lie had won the hearts of all his parishioners.

Bishop Holland likened the episodes of a church to a drama. It had scenes, acts, and new characters furthering the movement of the story .and lending colour and background to the succeeding phases. Each new vicar brought a new strength in vision aud faith, thus fulfilling a part in a greater whole, the work of the church. Mr. Neild had had wid'aand extensive experience and had acquired understanding aud wisdom by service, both in New Zealand and in the borders of Greater London. Referring to his new task. Bishop Holland said it was “a strategic point in the battle” for good against evil. The civilised world, he said, was becoming one of city communities, and such dioceses jjs Island Bay, being representative of such communities, were those whose life would play a large part in creating the character of the nation.

(Pictures on Page 9.)