ST. LUKE'S PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1219, 3 June 1919, Page 5

ST. LUKE'S PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

VISIT OF HIS LORDSHIP, THE BISHOP OF AUCKLAND.. • The Bishop arrived in Te Kuiti from Auckland on Saturday afternoon, May 24tb, and stayed at the Vicarage. He had an unusually busy visit, and, unfortunately, tbe weather was bad all through, particularly on Sunday. He WBS the celebrant at the Parish church on Sunday at 8 a.m. The vicar then motored him to Pio Pio for 11.30 a.m., and, unfortunately, balf-way out, ran into heavy driving rain. In spite of weather and the distance many had to travel, over 70 people were present and heard the Bishop preach a forceful and convincing sermonen Prayer. After the service, an excellent lunch was irovided, and everyone was introduced to his Lordship by the vicar. At 130 p.m. the little car continued its journey in mud and rain to Aria. It nai compensating to find GO people sufficiently keen to brave the elements, and a feature of the service was the preponderance of men and boys. The vicar presented for confirmation two married couples and five young men; and the Rev. Pene Topi presented one Maori couple, and a boy and a girl. The Bishop's two addresses were splendid. This is the first confirmation service held in Aria, and will be long remembered. The ladies of the district provided afternoon tea, and everybody met his Lordship. The return journey to town was muddy, and tiresome —the atrocious state of tbe road this side of Pio Pio was responsible for sticking up tbe car. Fortunately, three obliging young men came to the rescue, and Te Kuiti was finally reached at 6.20 pro At 7 p.m. nearly 200 people were present at tbe Parish church, and a solemn and inspiring confirmation service was conducted by the Bishop. The vicar read the Preface and presented 23 persons for confirmation. His Lordship gave an address to the candidates on tbe Sacramental nature of confirmation, and later, a sermon on "What doth it profit a man to gain tbe whole world and lose bis own soul."

Next day the vicar motored the Bishop via Oparore and Mairoa to Mahoenui, where a small congregation gathered. As this was the first time a Bishop had visited Mahoenui, and the first confirmation service to be held there, it was unfortunate that the weather was bad, and that more people did not seize the opportunity. Ten candidates were presented by the vicar. The Bishop gave two simple and inspiring addresses. Taesday afternoon, his Lordship consecrated part of the Te Euiti cemetery, and later took a children's service.

In tbe evening a social of welcome was accorded hi m in the Municipal Hall Though the attendance was small, tbe social was a very successful and thoroughly happy affair. The vicar presided, and called upon Mr Stedman, as People's Warden, to welcome the Bishop. He very suitably did so, and bis Lordship in reply gave a most interesting and very fine speech Full reports have appeared in tbe Chronicle. Excellent musical items were given by little Miss Kathleen Syms, Messrs Hamill and Blackman. Mr Doff gave two fine recitations Shakespere. The song accompaniments were played by Mrs Barnett. Tbe evening was well rounded off by an excellent supper. Mrs Evans bore tbe brunt of tbe arrangements for this, and was ably helped by Mesdames Dunkley, Wells, Rayson, and Webb.

His Lordship the Bishop left for Auckland by express at 2.15 a.m. on Wednesday. The vicar particularly desires to thank Mr Russell, of Parahaka, and Mr Newcombe, of Paemako Valley, for their valoable and generous assistance in conveying candidates and friends to and from the confirmation services at Aria and Maboenui respectively; also tbe ladies of Pio Pio and Aria for the excellent arrangements they had made.

Altogether 42 candidaten were con6rmed, whilst four othera ra issed through illness or bad weather.