NEW PRIMATE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 71, 21 February 1940, Page 10

NEW PRIMATE

BISHOP WEST-WATSON. ELECTION BY SYNOD. Per Press Association. NELSON, Feb. 20. Bishop YVest-Watson, of Christchurch, was elected Primate and Archbishop of the Province of New Zealand at this morning’s sitting of the General Synod of the Church of England and succeeds Archbishop Averill, who is retiring after holding the Primacy for 15 years. When Synod assembled a senior clerical member, Archdeacon' H. A. Hawkins (Auckland) moved that the Bishops be requested to nominate one of their number to fill the Primacy. The motion was seconded by a senior la.y member, Mr H. D. Andrews, of Christchurch.

The Bishops left the Synod Hall for a separate room and there in camera by ballot they nominated Bishop YVestWatson. At. the same time the lay members and clergy sat as separate houses to which the nomination was submitted. The respective orders voted by ballot and on the result being notified to the Archbishop Synod reassembled and the result of the election was announced.

Bishop Cherrington (Waikato), on behalf of the Bishops, tendered hearty congratulations and good wishes to the new Archbishop and promised earnest prayers that the Primacy might be blessed in every way.

Archdeacon Hawkins, on behalf of the clergy, convoyed sincere congratulations to the Primate-elect.

The speaker commented that the difficulty in the position in New Zealand was that the Church had no General Officer Commanding with the authority of such an office. The Primate field the highest office, 'and if more authority attached to it more unity of expression might result and tlie Primate’s influence be greater. Mr Andrews said it was the wish of the laity that the new Archbishop would enjoy high office for a long period and that God would give him strength to fill the office worthily and well and with wisdom, faithfulness and impartiality. In reply, the Archbishop-elect said that it had always been liis fortune to follow men who had filled their positions with distinction. As a Dean he had followed the present Archbishop of Sydney and in Christchurch lio had followed Bishop Julius. Now lie was following Archbishop Averill after enjoying the retiring Archbishop’s fellowship, fatherly help and example. He hoped ho had some idea of what a Primate in the Colonies ought to be. He thanked the speakers lor their congratulations and hoped that the goodwill of all sections would result in tlie advancement of the Church.

DISTINGUISHED CAREER. lit. Rev. Campbell YVest-Watson has been Bishop of Christchurch since 1926. Born at Birkenhead, England, in 1877, lie was educated at Birkenhead School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. in 1903. He was lecturer at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, from 1902-3 and a fellow aud lecturer at Emmanuel College until 1909, when he was appointed Bishop Suffragan of Barrow-in-Fur-ness, holding this office until his cleparture for New Zealand. During 1918-19 Bishop YVesKYVatson was a temporary chaplain to the .forces and an honorary chaplain in 1920. Among other offices he has held were the following: Chaplain at Emmanuel College 1903-7; Dean at Emmanuel, 1907-9; Examining Chaplain to the Rishop of Carlisle, 1909-21; Archdeacon of Westmoreland, 1914--o. In 1910 he had conferred on him an honorary Doctorate in Divinity at Cambridge University. YVhilc in Christchurch Bishop YVest-Watson has served as a member of the Canterbury College Board of Governors and on other bodies. Bishop YVest-Watson visited Palmerston North last November, when he preached in All Saints’ Church.