JUBILEE OF DEVONPORT PARISH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 22, 2 June 1906, Page 21

JUBILEE OF DEVONPORT PARISH.

On May 18, 1856, the first clergyman appointed by Bishop G. A. Sehvyn’ took up his residence at North Shore, and to commemorate this event special jubilee services and meetings of a most interesting character were held in Devonport from May 18 to 25 this year. In 1854 about 15 families were settled in the North Shore, and in the next year these settlers determined to erect a church anti a school. There was no State education then, and no board to make grants for education, so the settlers paid 1/ per week for each child's tuition. The Rev. E. H. Heywood undertook the duties of both clergyman and schoolmaster. He held services every Sunday at North Shore. Stokes Point (that is Northcote) and the Lake, and. made his journeys on foot. Mr Heywood was exceedingly popular in all the settlements, and it was his boast that during his whole ministry of eight years he had never been embroiled in a single village trouble or difficulty. The first settlers of the North Shore were Mr T. Hammond. Captain Burgess. Mr T. Du der, Mr T. Alison. Mr Oliver. Mr K. Dunne. Captain Wynyard. Captain Filder, Mr Alan O’Neili. In 1860 the establishment of the shipbuilding industry on the North Shore brought a considerable increase of householders, and the little building, part of which is still standing at the back of the present vicarage, became crowded both as a church ami school, so it was resolved to enlarge the building. To raise part of the money a social tea was held in Beddoes' shed, which stood where now the jDcvonport ferry slip is. It is interesting to note that about 60 people were brought over' from Auckland in 1 be cutter Betsy, and in whaleboats to join tin* merry party. In 1864 the Bishop removed Mr Heywood to Remuera. ami the vacancy was filled by the Rev. T. Kerr, Mr Kerr had been a lieutenant on board H.M.s. Pandora, and in course of voyages in that vessel to the Melanesian Islands be frequently visited the Church of England mission stations. He was so tilled with a desire to evangelise the heal hen that on his return to Auckland he resigned his position as lieutenant and offered himself to the Bishop for ordination. Mr Ken's desire was gratified, be was ordained, ami placed on one of the islands where’ a. station had recently boon established.

After a year’s work his health became so h.id from fever and ague that when the Southern Cross visited his station he was found prostrate and helpless, ami l»eiiig carried on board that vessel lie was brought to Auckland for medical treatment. When Mr Kerr’s health had somewhat recovered he was placed by the Bishop in charge of North Shore. Through his activity and perseverance a new church was built in 1865, ami was O|K‘iicd by the Bishop one stormy day in Septenilwr of that year. It was on that occasion that the first ferry steamer, called the Waitemata. ran between Auckland and Ihe North Shore. I’he Rev. T. Kerr remained in charge of the parish for for two years, during which time he gained great, popularity. In the beginning of 1866 the Rev. B. Y. Ashwell was moved to the North Shore. He had been for about 30 years one of the Church Missionary Society's agents in the Lower Waikato ami Taupiri. The war of 1864, which originated in Taranaki. spread to the Waikato and stopped all missionary work among the natives there. One of Mr Ash well's first works in the parish was to raise funds to build a Sunday-school. Up till then, that is tor eleven years, the old school building in which so many young men and women had received their education was the only school building in North Shore, but in 1866 the Wesleyan chapel, which occupied the site of the present district school, was purchased i»y the inhabitants for a day school. Sir .Ashwell returned to his missionary labours in the A\ aikato in 1872. peace again reigning there, and the Rev. T. Bates was aj>pointed by Bishop Cowie to the North Shore. During Mr Bates' incumbency of 25 years the present handsome church was erected in 1881 over the old building. The Sunday-schoolroom was removed to its present site, ami the church of 1865 was added to it; while the vicarage was built on the site of the old school, rhe Rev. S. Hawthorne succeeded Canon Bates as vicar in 1898. and the present vicar, the Rev. T. Evershed, was insti tuted on January 9. 1905. At the jubilee reunion of past and present parishioners were the widows of three former vicars, Mrs Heywood. Mrs Ashwcll and Mrs Bates, and many old settlers of 50 years’ standing, whose portraits may In* seen in this number.