AUCKLAND VICAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 November 1944, Page 4

AUCKLAND VICAR

NEW YORK APPOINTMENT

AUCKLAND, November 6... An appointment to St. Anne s Church, New York City, one of America’s leading Episcopal Churches, has been received by an Auckland clergyman, Rev. Melville Harcourt, Vicar of Birkenhead. The appointment of a New Zealand clergyman to this important church is regarded as a significant and far-sighted _ attempt on the part of American churchmen to encourage the development of understanding and cordiality betwen the peoples of the two Eng-lish-speaking nations. The occupant of such a pulpit is in a position to wield considerable influence with a wide section of people in America. “The people of the United States have a profound respect for the contribution New Zealand has made during the war, and apparently want to know more about your nation, people and church,” said Chaplain Wesley Wilder, American naval chaplain in New Zealand, commenting on the appointment. “Mr Harcourt goes to America, not merely as a priest, but also as an ambassador for New Zealand,” he added, an opinion endorsed by the Bishop of Auckland in a letter to Mr Harcourt. St. Anne’s was established 60 years ago, and is famed for its missionary enterprise. Mr Harcourt, who was educated in England and Christchurch, has the reputation of being a brilliant preacher. He is the author of several books, and was formerly an Auckland journalist.