BISHOPRIC OF AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16325, 22 August 1913, Page 9

BISHOPRIC OF AUCKLAND.

OFFERED TO BISHOP AVERILL. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 21. An urgent invitation to accept the position of Anglican Bishop of Auckland, rendered vacant by the resignation of Dr O. T. L. Crossley, was sent to the Right Rev W. A. Avorill, Bishop of Waiapu, this evening. Tho selection of Bishop Averill was made at a special session of the Synod by practically a unanimous voto. A special session of the Synod was opened on Wednesday morning and continued till late that evening without reaching a final conclusion. The Synod resumed this morning and sat again until lato in tho evening, rising shortly after ten o'clock. The following telegram was then sent by the Bishop's Commissary (Arcndeacon Colder) to the Bishop. of Waiapu, at present in Wellington: " Auckland Synod at a special session, just closed, has by practically unanimous vote nominated you as_ Bishop of Auckland and urgently desires your acceptance of tho nomination." The Right Rev Alfred Walter Averill was born in Stafford, England, in 1865. He received his earlier education at Stafford Grammar School, and by private tutor, subsequently pursuing his. studios at St John's College, Oxford, where in 1887 he took the B.A. degree. He entered Ely (Theological) College in 1888 and in the Fame year was ordained Deacon at the Advent Ordination in St Paul's Cathedral, by the lato Archbishop Temple, then Bishop of London. His first curacy was at St George's. Hanover Square : which ho held from 1888 to 1891 under Canon Capel Cure, who was Canon of Windsor and Chaplain to the late Queen. In 1889 he was ordained priest by Archbishop Temple at the Advent Ordination in St Paul's. His M.A. degree was taken by Bishop Averill in 1891 and in that year, on the death of Canon Capel Cure, he was appointed curate at Holy Trinity, Dalston, with the Rev R. S. Hassard, who was formerly Vicar of St Matthews, Auckland. In 1894 Rev Hassard was nominated Vicar of St Michael's, Christchurch, but declined the position and on his recommendation Bishop Averill was chosen for it and held it until 19C9. From 1895 he acted as chaplain to the Christchurch Hospital. From 1902 to 1909 he was Honorary Canon of Christchurch Cathedral, from 1903 Archdeacon of Akaroa and during 1909 and 1910 Archdeacon of Christchurch., The election of Bishop Averill to tho See of Waiapu was made on September 16. 1909 and on January 16 in tho following year he was consecrated.