AUCKLAND DIOCESE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1924, Page 8

AUCKLAND DIOCESE.

MOVEMENT FOR DIVISION.

welfare of the church. DR. AVERILL’S SUPPORT. The proposal to divide the diocese of Auckland and to form a new diocese comprising the Waikato ami Taranaki districts was advanced a further stage last week, when a largely-attended meeting of the clergy and laity of the archdeaconry at Waikato was held ifl Hamilton. The Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Averill, presided. h his address Dr. Averill gave an account of the deliberations of the ay nod in regard to the establishment of a new bishopric of Taranaki and Waikato, and related the events that had since. Two commissions had been set up, one to consider the financial aspect, and • he boundaries of the proposed new bishopric. The Finance Com2“ mission had held one sitting, but no definite 'inclusion had been arrived at. The position at present was that Hamilton had offered the income from a capital sum of £l6 (KM). Taranaki had offered somewhere about £2OOO. Auckland was talking of offering approximately £2060 of endowments ami probably £4OOO 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, ae lie considered it would be for the good of the Church.

Mr. O. R. Farrer 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 to keep in touch with the commission iin Auckland and to co-operate with small committees appointed in each district. It was next moved that an effort be made to raise the sum of £5OOO in the archdeaconry, £IOCO to be raised by L'dbruary. After some discussion this was carried almost unanimously. At a dinner to the Bishop and visitors, Mr. Farrar expressed the pleasure of the people of Hamilton in having Dr. Averill with them. No one was more loved or respected, anti 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 tho Church, and for that reason they were propared to suffer the loss. He urged those present to go back to their parishes and earnestly and steadfastly ad vocate the division of the diocese.