The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, MAY 30. 1932. NINETY YEARS AGO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 125, 30 May 1932, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, MAY 30. 1932. NINETY YEARS AGO

years ago to-day, to wit, on Monday, May 30, 1842, the first and only Bishop of New Zealand and Melanesia landed at Auckland, the then seat of Government in the Colony. His name was George Augustus Selwyn. Besides being a man of remarkable presence, he was also one of great energy and ability, and also of physical strength. His physical strength was attested by the fact that he rowed in the first Oxford and Cambridge inter-’Varsity boat race in 1829. He was also a great pedestrian and swimmer. His stamina, therefore, was equal to the task which was assigned to him, for he was euratc at. Windsor when he was appointed to the Bishopric. His intellectual equipment was at once revealed when he conducted his first service, the Maoris being astonished to find this fresh-complexioned Englishman, just stepped off the ship, addressing them in the native language. Selwyn had learned the

native tongue on the voyage out to New Zealand. He also learned the science of navigation and this enabled him to visit the whole of his see before he started establishing a unified organisation. Organisation was Selwyn’s outstanding talent, and this he exercised to good purpose throughout his term in New Zealand. In 1867 Bishop Selwyn attended the first panAnglican Synod at Lambeth, and against his own inclinations was appointed Bishop of Lichfield where, upon his initiative, the first Diocesan Conference in which the laity were duly represented, met in 1868. Bishop Selwyn had seen the valpc of the layman to the Church in New Zealand, and. his initiatory action in this regard at Lichfield may be said to indicate one of the earliest instances of New Zealanders influencing the conduct of life in England.

It is perhaps unfortunate that the Church of England in New Zealand cannot discover another Selwyn. The See of New Zealand was broken up because settlement proceeded from five points. Now the Church comprises several watertight compartments. A good organiser is needed to-day, and were he to arise he would find as much useful work to do as did Selwyn when he stepped ashore ninety years ago to-day.