The Primate’s Resignation.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXV, 21 June 1902, Page 1288

The Primate’s Resignation.

Reference to the resignation of the Primate was made in several of the Auckland churches last Sunday. At St. Mary’s lathedral the viear, Her. Canon Mac Murray, said the present was not the time for lengthy reference to the work of Dr. Cowie as Bishop and Primate of the diocese, but he felt that lie was only expressing the feelings of the members of St. Mary's congregation, amongst whom the Bishop had lived for over a generation, when he said that general and profound sympathy would be felt for him ami for Mrs Cowie in this their time of trouble. He asked the congregation to remember both Dr. and Mrs Cowie in their prayers. At the Church of the Epiphany the Rev. W. E. Lush spoke of the resignation of Bishop Cowie, and commended the appointment of his successor to tie people as a matter of earnest prayer. At St. Mark’s the Rev. XV. Beatty said that although it was known that His Lordship was seriously indisposed the news of his resignation cau-.e as a painful shock. It would, to his mind, be unbecoming to speak of rhe qualities or the works of one who might be fast nearing the valley of the shadow of death, but they could not forget that he was their Bishop, that he had ministered to them in holy things for nearly 33 years. 1 hat h' had identified him. self intensely not only with the diocese, but with the province and city of Auckland, and that in his weakness and affliction, in the heavy sorrow and depressions which were apt to accompany the giving up of a life work, he deserved their respectful and filial sympathy, and needed their earnest prayers. At the meeting of the Council of the Auckland Provincial C.E. Union in the Tabernacle. the following resolution was agreed to: “That this Council of the Auckland Provincial C.E. Union desires respectfully to tender its heartfelt sympathy with His Lordship the Primate in his severe affliction, and prays that with God’s blessing he may be restored speedily to health.”

In preseutir.g the certificates won by studvots of the Elajn Schott of Art at the recent South Kensington science and art exami :at»vn, the Mayor (Mr A’feed Kidd), in the course of a few remarks, referred to the of the school since it wous first founded by a bequest of Dr. J. E. ELam, of Tamaki, in ’S»*. and opened in rooms gtven by the Auckland City Council one year later. The school then met foud days a week, with an average attendance of about eight at each uiaas. Now there are 15 classes per week, having an average attendance of about So. The successes achieved by the school at the annual Government examinations had attracted the attention of the Education Department, who thereupon included It in the institutions to be subsidised by the Government under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act of ISOOI Since the Government expressed the wish that evening classes should be established, and promised substantial assistence. these classes were commenced in the early part of the present year. The evening classes have been held five nigh vs a week, the attendance averaging from 40 to 70 per night. A large number of former students are now qualified teachers, and a few have made names for themselves in other branches of art work. No less than 244 certificates in various art subjects have been gained by students from the Science and Art Department, London, within the past four years. The school had been founded over twelve years ago. as a result of a bequest left by Dr. Eiam. and during that time, he thought everyone would admit, it has done a loi of good and useful work. The attendance had largely increased since the Government had requested that evening classes be held. He said no better selection could have been made than that when Mr Payton was given charge of the school. From what Mr Payton had to’d him. and from what he had seta, the speaker was sure that he (Mr Pay ton) was well pleased with the work done during the past year. He sincerely hoped that the good work that had been done during the past year would be continued during the coming year, and even surpassed. It gave him satisfaction to know that so many students were successful in the examination. Mrs Stephenson-Wrack, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Payton. said she could speak with a certain amount of confidence of the good work being done by Mr Payton. She was sure every parent who had children at the classes must feel exceedingly grateful to him.. Mr Pay ton suitably responded. He referred to the number of certificates gained. and said that the number was not as good as in previous years, because many of the students had been In the school for the pas: four years and had already passed in all the subjects they wished.