Archbishop Averill

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1940, Page 4

Archbishop Averill

WHILE the Anglican community in New Zealand will warmly welcome the newly-elected. Primate, Bishop West-Watson, of Christchurch, who will undoubtedly be a worthy successor, there will nevertheless be experienced a feeling of sincere regret that Archbishop Averill has deemed it necessary to relinquish an office he has adorned for the past fifteen years. This regret will not be restricted to the Anglican community, for it may be said without fear of contradiction that Archbishop Averill has earned the respect of all branches of the Christian Church in New Zealand. He has proved himself a broadminded gentleman, who, while giving place to none in loyalty to his own church, has nevertheless recognised that all churches are trying to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, and he has ever been ready to co-operate with them in any movement designed to hasten the achievement of that purpose. For that reason he has been a welcome visitor wherever he has travelled in the course of discharging the duties of his high office. In no part of the Dominion will Archbishop Averill be more missed than in Northland, a territory in which he has taken a keen and personal interest. He is beloved of Maori and pakeha alike, his personality, his Christian zeal and his outspoken advocacy of all that goes for the building of a nation upon the only sure foundation having earned for him a place which it will be difficult to fill. That Archbishop Averill may be spared for many years to enjoy a well-earned retirement, and that he may see the fruition of earnest and prayerful labour expended over a long period of years, will be the heartfelt wish of the people of New Zealand, and especially of the people of Northland.