STERLING SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 February 1940, Page 8

STERLING SERVICE.

TRIBUTES TO ARCHBISHOP. Per Press Association. NELSON, Feb. 21. The General Synod to-day passed a motion requesting ' Archbishop Averill to continue in office as Archbishop anu Primate until March 31 next on which date his resignation from the See ol Auckland will take effect. At the same time, the synod took the opportunity of farewelling the Archbishop from his official offices. Bishop West-Watson (Primate-elect) expressed thankfulness to God that the Church had at its head one who was a real leader. He had solved the problem of exercising his influence as a leader without any pontifical powers or the right to dictate to the other bishops. The Archbishop had the quality of decision, and was always willing to take the responsibility for opinions which were based on wide experience, a humane outlook, and sound judgment. ’ Bishop West-Watson expressed the hope that the Archbishop and Mrs Averill, who had so nobly worked with him, would have many happy years ol health and happiness in retirement. Bishop Bennett expressed the feeling ol affection of the Maori people for Archbishop Averill. He had never met anyone who could speak with greater lluency and with greater point, m the manner which appealed to the Maori mind.

The other speakers included Canon Strong (clergy), Rev. Mr Reynolds (Melanesian Mission), and Mr C. W. Pitts Brown (laity;. Archbishop Averill thanked all the speakers for their kind words. It was not easy when one came to the end of a long ministry of 46 years—3o as a Bishop and 10 as an Archbishop to lay down the reins of office, but lie thought that in doing so he was doing his duty. The reason when, he announced his decision was that he wished his successor to go to the Lambeth Conference as Archbishop. That conference would now not be held this year but he felt that his decision to resign should not be changed. He enjoyed good health at present, but thought it wiser to resign on the early I side rather than leave it until the time I when the full duties of the office could not be carried out. Archbishop Averill said he was satisfied that there was nothing to fear for the future of the Church of England in New Zealand. He had admiration for the work of thousands of lay- • men throughout the Province. “Though retiring from my official duties, my sympathy, love, and pray-, ers will always be with the Church i with which I have boon so closely associated during the past 40 years,” lie | concluded-