ARCHBISHOP AVERILL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 April 1925, Page 7

ARCHBISHOP AVERILL.

PRIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION,) AUCKLAND, April 21. Alfred W. Averill, D.D., Bishop of Auckland, became Primate of New Zealand to-day in succession to Archbishop Julius." Holy Eucharist was celebrated at all Anglican churches of the diocese this morning, and a special service was held at St. Alarv’s ProCathedral, where Archbishop Averill was the 'celebrant. The Venerable Archdeacon MacMurray’ preached the sermon

One intimate with the work and influence of Dr. Averill as Bishop o’ Auckland writes:

“The most marked characteristic of the Archbishop is his complete devotion to the service of the Oh.urch, and this shows itself in his unsparing labours in a diocese 365 miles in length, from the North Cape to the south of Taranaki. His clergy and laity ‘ recognise that he is engaged in a task which taxes even his great capacity for work, and, though he resents being told he is overworked, his friends know that that arises from his having a higher standard of work than have most men. That he will shoulder the additional labours of the Primacy uncomplainingly goes without saying, but his friends' are praying that relief in the shape of a divided diocese of Auckland may come speedily/ “The Archbishop has won the esteem and respect of his clergy and laity by the very’ adequate way he represents the Church on all public occasions, by the thoughtful character of his public addresses on secular occasions, bv his capacity to deal tactfully and wisely’ with moral and social problems, by: the cordiality of his relations with ministers of all denominations, among whom he has many friends, and by the ready way in which lie is always willing to - subordinate his own comfort and convenience to help any r of his clergy in difficulty or trouble; while his genuine kindness of heart has won for him the affection of many friends. “The honour conferred upon him will give great pleasure to his people in the northern diocese, and, indeed, to all sections of the community, for it will be accepted as a fitting recognition of bis personal worth, as well as of his devoted efforts to further the cause of religion and the public wellbeing. That he will maintain with dignity the high tradition bequeathed to him by his predecessors in the Primatial - chair is undoubted, and that he will hand on to his successor in that chair a high standard of high ideals and faithful service not less loftv than lie inherited.”