BISHOP BENNETT FAREWELLED

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 April 1948, Page 5

BISHOP BENNETT FAREWELLED

NATIVE CHURCHBOARDS IN WAIAPU DIOCESE (P.A.) Gisborne, April 11. The Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, was given an informal farewell by the clergy anti laity at the triennial meeting of the Native Church Boards of the Waiapu Diocese on Saturday night. Bishop Bennett leaves shortly for London and Amsterdam to attend the Lambeth Conference and world conference of churches. Mr. Honi Ngata, brother of Sir Apirana Ngata, said the Maoris deeply appreciated the honour of Bishop Bennett’s representation, but valued even more the work he was performing among his own people. Gifts of cash towards the expenses of the bishop’s trip were made by Maori delegations, and in acknowledging them Bishop Bennett referred to contributions from the Nelson, Wellington, Hawke's Bay and Waiapu dioceses, totalling to more than £4OO. The additional latest gifts, including those from Tauranga Te-Kaha district Wanganui and the Arawas would be welcome. The Bishop of Waiapu, Bishop Lesser, wished his MaHori colleague bon voyage and a rich experience. The Synod adopted a submission referring to the possibility of a vacancy occurring in the Maori bishopric and expressing a desire’ that in such event Bishop Bennett's successor should also be a member of the Maori race. The Synod approved of a proposal to re-establish Terau College in Gisborne, for the training of students for the Maori Ministry. The proposal is to be submitted to the standing committee for presentation to the Anglican General Synod. The proposal was submitted by Sir Apirana Ngata. Speakers indicated that the board and trustees held approximately £llOO from the old institution, which was sold and removed some years ago, which would form the nucleus of a fund for the new institution. The Synod recomended the board of trustees to appropriate £20,000, of which Maoris will be expected to provide £5OOO, to extend accommodation at Te Aute College, and Hukarere School, to take the maximum number of pupils, which were fixed at 150 for Te Aute and 130 for Hukarere.