AUCKLAND BISHOPRIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 36

AUCKLAND BISHOPRIC.

SPECIAL SESSION OF SYNOD. INVITATION TO BISHOP AVER ILL. AUCKLAND, August 21. An urgent invitation to accept the position of Anglican Bishop of Auckland, rendered vacant by the resignation of Dr Crossley, was sent to the Rev. W. A. Avorill, Bishop of Waiapu, this evening. The selection of Bishop Avorill was made at a special session of the Synod by practically a unanimous vote The special session of the Synod was opened on Wednesday morning, and continued till late that evening without reaching a final conclusion. The Synod resumed yesterday morning, and sat again until late in the evening, rising shoitly after 10 o'clock. The following telegram was then sent by the bishop’s oomm ssiry (Archdeacon Calde-r) to the Bishop of Waiy-pu, at present in Wellington“ The Auckland Synod, at a special session, just closed, has, by practically a unanimous vote,' nominated you as Bishop of Auckland, and urgently desires your acceptance of the nomination ” The Right Rev. Alfred Walter Avorill born in Stafford, England, in 1865. He received his earlier education at Stafford Grammar School and by a private tutor, subsequently pursuing his studies at Si. John’s College, Oxford, where in 1887 he took the B.A. degree with second class honours in theology. He entered the Ely (Theological) College in 1838. In the same year he was ordained deacon at advent ordination in St. Paul’s Cathedral by the late Archbishop Temple, then Bishop of London His first curacy was at St. George’s, Hanover square, which ho held from 1888 to 1591, under Canon Capelcure, who was canon of Windsor and chaplain to the late Queen. In 1889 he was ordained priest by Archbishop Temple at advent ordination in St. Paul’s. The M.A. degree was taken by Bishop Avorill in 1891, and in that year, on the death of Canon Capelcuro, he was appointed curate at Holy Trinity, Dalston, with the Rev. R. S. Hassard. who was formerly vicar of St. Matthews, Auckland. In 1894 Mr Hassard was nominated vicar of St. Michael’s, Christchurch, but declined the position, and on his recommendation Bishop Avorill was chosen for it, and held it until 1909. From 1895 ho acted as chaplain to the Christchurch Hospital; from 1902 to 1909 ho was honorary canon of Christchurch Cathedral; from ISO 3. archdeacon of Akaroa; and during 1909 and 1910 archdeacon of Christchurch. The election of Bishop Avorill to the see of Waiapu was made on September 16. 1909, and on January 16 in the following year he was consecrated.