THE AUCKLAND DIOCESE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 12

THE AUCKLAND DIOCESE

MOVEMENT FOR DIVIBION.

WELFARE OF THE CHURCH.

DR. AVERILL'S SUPPORT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Friday. The proposal to divide the diocese of Auckland and to form a new diocese comprising the Waikato and Taranaki districts was advanced a further stage yesterday afternoon, when » largely-attended meeting of the clergy and laity of the archdeaconry of Waikato was held in Hamilton. The Bishop of Auckland, Dr. A. W. Averill, presided.

In his address Dr. Averill gave an account of .tho deliberations of tho svnod in regard to the establishment of a new bishopric of Taranaki and Waikato, and related the events that had happened since. Two commissions had been sot up, one to consider the financial aspect, and one to review the boundaries of the proposed new bishopric. Tho Finance Commission had held one sitting, but no definite conclusion had been arrived at. The position at present was that Hamilton had offered tho income from a capital sum of £16,000. Taranaki had offered somewhere about £2000. was talking of offering approximately .£2OOO of endowments and probably £4000 in cash. Thus there would be £24,000 if all these sums materialised.

Dr. Averill stated very strongly that he was not overworked, and did not wish to lose any part of his diocese, but he supported the movement, as he considered it would bo for the good of the Church.

Mr. 0. R. Fairer and Mr. W. C. Hewitt detailed the offer made by Hamilton, and asked the hearty support of all present in putting the matter before the people. A motion was carried heartily supporting the action of the synod in seeking to create a new bishopric. It was also resolved to appoint a committee consisting of the Rev. F. Harty, Archdeacon E. M. Cowie, a member of the Frankton Vestry, Messrs. D. Hay, W. C. Hewitt and 0. R. Farrer, to keep in touch with the commission in Auckland and to cooperate with small committees appointed in each district. It was next moved that an effort be made to raise the sum of £5000 in the archdeaconry, £1000 to be raised by February. After some discussion this was carried almost unanimously. At a dinner to the Bishop and visitors, Mr. Farrer expressed the pleasure of the people of Hamilton in having Dr. Averill with them. No one was more loved or respected, and none wished to lose him or be severed from their old friends in the northern end of the diocese. They were strongly convinced, however, that the change would be for the good of the Church, and for that reason they were prepared to suffer the loss. Ho urged those present to go back to their parishes and earnestly and steadfastly advocate the division of the diocese.