St John's Napier.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 16, 14 October 1908, Page 18

St John's Napier.

9 The \athedral (hatch of Hye Diocese.of n

•Perrhanre ii will sometimes be profitable to recall these things to mind."

Till'', citizens of Napier are justly proud of their Cathedral. It it a line building, and round it <ling memories and associations which endear it to all church people, and cause it to be regarded with foldings of affection by even those who do not belong to the Anglican Church. Nowadays, the younger generation are perhaps rather prone to take the privileges they enjoy as matters of fact, and do not pay sufficient honour to those brave souls who faced dangers, and sufTerings. and smoothed the way for those that came after. True they did not work in the hope of reward. They realised the truth of Stevenson’s words. "The true success is to labour.” 'I hey worked for the love of it, and therefore the results of their labour were all the nobler, But their selfabnegation does not lighten the debt we owe them. Rather it makes it greater. The history of St. John's is a typical record of the self-denial, per-

severance. and courage which stamped the early settlers id' New Zealand. They faced perils and privations with a heroism which must command our admiration. and their achievements place us under an obligation we can never repay. Our only means of honouring their memories is to keep them green, and see that when the monuments of their work are lauded, the workers are not forgotten. In compiling a history of the parish no one is better fitted for the task than Mr. J. B. Eielder. who has been in continual iilfii e ns vestryman and churchwarden of the parlsn since .Inly 13th, IStiti, diocesan secretary and treasurer since October 30th. IS7O. and registrar since January loth. ISS4. Ibis may

surely be regarded as a record. Mr. Eielder has written a most comprehensive history of the diocese, and from

Incumbent of Havelock Parish, who, as a layman, held services in the old School, Napier, fifty years ago. it wv have taken the account of the march of events in the parish which is here given. We are also indebted to him for many of the photographs—some

of which are unique—with which the article is illustrated. As in so many other places in the North Island. the beginnings of Church life in Napier are closely icon nec ted with the name of Bishop Selwyn. At the first sale of Napier town lands, held on April sth, 1855. this great churchman, with his usual foresight and acumen, purchased lands on Napier-terrace, which now forms part of the “Hawke’s Bay lust,” ais an endowment for Church purposes. In March. 1859, another endowment was started by the early settlers, who contributed in cattle and sheep, when they were not able to give in money, and this was brought to a successful issue by the late Arch. Samuel Williams, of Te Ante. These and other endowments, of which the Archdeacon was primarily the originator. are now the sources from which the clergy of the diocese, both European and native, derive grants in aid of their stipends; grants. but for which the sparsely-settled and poorer parts of the diocese would be very badly off. When dealing with the early history of Napier, we must remember that up to the year 1868 the provincial district of Hawke’s Bay formed part of the Diocese of Wellington. The first indication we have of the efforts of the early Anglicans in Napier in erecting a house of worship was in

November, 1858, when the first subscription list raising funds for this purpose was pub’ished. On February fourth of the following year, the indefatigable Bishop Selwyn arrived in Napier, having come overland by way of the coast, and he held divine service on the following Sunday in the only suitable building in the township, the Government school, which then stood at the corner of Tennyson and Hastingsstreels, afterwards known as Newton’s corner. Here all meetings of the little settlement were held, and it was not a palatial structure by any means. The Roman Catholics were ahead of other denominations in building a place of worship in Napier, and in the early part of Mandi. 1859, a church was opened in Shakespea re-road by that good old priest, the Rev. Father Regnier. A month later we find in the Hawke’s Bay “Herald” an advertisement signed by H. S. Tiffen, chairman of church committee, offering a £lO

\ icar of the Parish from 1867 to 1877. premium for the best plans and specifications for an Episcopalian church, to seat two-hundred and fifty people, the cost not to exceed £5OO. As there was no ordained clergyman in the little township at that time, services were held in the schoolroom by Captain Newman and Mr. William Marsha 1 !. It was not till June of the year 1859 that the Rev. Harry Woodford St. Hill arrived in Napier to take charge of the district, which then extended to Meeanee and (’live. He held his first service in the Government school on the morning of Sunday, June 26th. The Rev. Peter Rarclay, the Presbyterian imnister, who had landed in Napier only a short while before Mr. St. Hill, held service in the same building on the evening. ami they continued alternate services till their respective churches were erected. Owing to lack of funds. Mr. St. Hill’s congregations was unable to proceed with the building of the pro-

ehiirch as soon as they would have liked, a lid I lie services were continued in the school for some time. I lie present generation has little or no idea of the great hardships these hardy pioneers had to contend with • •ven for an existence. and when we consider the wonders they accomplished in the face of what would now be looked upon by main as (insurmountable obstacles, we must feel thankful that New Zea la ml was colonised by such intrepid spirits. There were no roads or bridge's in those far oil' days, and communication with the outside world was both difficult and spasmodic. Eng’ish mails reached New Zealand with news three months old. and even from Auckland and Wellington the mails only arrived twice, or perhaps three times, a month. Sugar was sixpence a pound.

A munificent benefactor of the Parish, the two pound loaf cost eight-pence, ami other provisions were dear in proportion. Still, in spite of it all. money was always fqhind for worthy objects, ami those who could not not give in cash gave in kind. There wen* many relatives of cheerful Mark Tapley in Napier in those stirring times, and nearly everybody seemed happy ami contented. Napier was vastly different from tin* pretty seaside town we know to-day. There were no buildings at all between Tennyson ami Emerson streets, and to obtain access from one thoroughfare to allot her. Mr. J. B. Brathwaite, the manager of the I nion Bank, which was situ ated in Emerson-st reel. when* th;* shops

of White, the basketmaker, and McDougall. the bookseller, an* now. had to make a cause-way to get across when the tide was in. On December 20, in the year Mr St. Hill arrived, a meeting of church members was held in the schoolroom, Mr J. B. Brathwaite presiding, and the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Abraham) being among those present. At the suggestion of his Lordship, tin* meeting gave a guarantee for tin* payment of a stipend of £2OO per annum to their minister, to provide him with a house, and an allowance for a horse to travel about the districts of Meeanee and Clive, such guarantees being for three years. The Bishop then undertook to obtain the services of a clergyman. Mr St. Hill having in the meantime resigned his office. At this meeting the following committee was ap|>ointed to manage the church, procure a site, and proceed with the erection of a building: Messrs Triphook, Brathwaite, Lyndon, T. Edwards, T. R. Newton, H. B. Sealy, M. Fitzgerald, and Mr J. B. Ferguson to represent Clive. Of this worthy band Mr Brathwaite is the only survivor, and he is still living in Napier. Three days later the committee (who evidently did not believe in wasting time) met, and considered various sites. Several meetings were necessary before a decision could be made, but finally the committee chose the land upon which the vicarage now stands, and deckled to purchase it from Mr James Anderson, on condition that access to the property should be given from Tennyson-street. This was the origin of ‘•Church Lane.” There was a small house on the place, which was put in repair, and used as a vicarage. The late Mr. Boufie’d prepared a plan for a church, and tenders were called, but the price proved beyond the means available. An alteration was made in the plans, providing for a building 40ft by 23ft, and a 14ft stud, and tenders were again called. Messrs Barry and McSweeney were the successful tenderers at £460, and after considerable delay the church people had the satisfaction of seeing their labours rewarded with what was at the time <a very tine building. The Rev. 11. W. St. Hill again took charge of Napier in May, 1861, and in the following year we find the church members at a meeting held on June 24, and presided over by’ Mr. J. Wilkinson, adopting a petition requesting that Napier should be constituted a parish. The necessary permission having been obtained, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Wellington appointed Mr. T. 1). Triphook churchwarden, and at a meeting on October 18th of the same year, at which he presided', he announced that Napier had been constituted a parish. with boundaries extending to Clive. The following comprised the first vestry: Messrs. T. I). Triphook and T. A. Bridge, churchwardens; Colonel A. 11. Russell. Messrs. J. Wilkinson, S. G. Brandon, and

T. King, vestrymen; Messrs. William Marshall. Brook Taylor, and 1 1. S. Titt’eii were appointed nominators. The consecration of the new building as the Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist, was performed by Bishop Abraham, of Wellington, on February 1, 1863. Mrs. Abra

Who has been vestryman and churchwarden of St. John’s for over 42 years. ham presented the reading desk, and Mr. St. Hill the altar cloth, from Mrs. St. Hill and friends in England. Four months later Mr. St. Hill again resigned, and the Bishop of Wellington undertook the services of the parish for a period of three months. Mr. St. Hill subsequently took temporary charge pending the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Lemuel Say well, of Sutton. Isle of Ely. who had been nominated to the incumbency. Mr. Say well and his wife and family arrived in October, 1864. and shortly after the vicarage was enlarged. All this time of course Napier was growing slowly but surely, and an increased church roll necessitated the provision of more accommodation. It was decided to enlarge the building, and Mr. Charles Mogridge’s tender of £4ll was accepted for the work. This was at the end of the year 1864. Three years later Mr. Saywell resigned his cure. The Right Rev. Dr. William Williams, who had' removed to Napier from Poverty Bay with his family owing to the native troubles, took charge of the parish during the vacancy, and on the first of November, 1867, just six months after Mr. Say well’s resignation, the nominators, Messrs. Tifien, Brandon and Braithwaite, nominated the Rev. John Townshend, who was then in charge of the country

district near Napier. The Bishop of Wellington approved, and Mr. Townshend was inducted on the first day of December. The next important incident in the history of the parish occurred in October of the year 1868, when, at the meeting of the General Synod, which was held in Auckland, the Hawke’s Bay part of the Diocese of Wellington was incorporated into the Diocese of Waiapu, and the Bishop constituted the Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist, Napier, as the Pro-Cathedral of tin* Diocese, with Napier as the headquarters of the See of Waiapu. Then followed a period of quiet progress, and in April. 1873. we find the parishioners purchasing town sections 130, 131. and 132. Napier, from the Hon. Robert Hart, of Wellington, for £3OO. ami at the same meeting they decided to enlarge the church by another 100 sittings, thus giving accommodation to over 500 sittings. An interesting sidelight on the progress of the parish is also thrown by the fact that authority was given to make provision for a pipe organ, which arrived from Messrs. Hill and Son. London, in tin* following year. When it was installed. “Hymns

The only survivor of the original members of the church committee. Ancient and Modern” was substituted for the “New’ Zealand Hymnal.” and Mr. Hayden Flood was appointed organist and choirmaster. Such was tin* increase of work in the parish, that in July. 1875. the parishioners decided that tin* vicar needed assistance, and tin* Rev. Samuel Robinson. of the Diocese of Down, Ireland,

was appointed to the new office. Mr. Robinson commenced his duties on N -w Year’s Day. 1876. Gas was laid on to the church and vicarage during this financial year, and a scheme was propounded by the Bishop for church extension in Napier by the erection of a Chapel of Ease on church land on Napier terrace, but owing to certain unhappy differences in the parish concerning the curate, and other matters, the scheme fell through, but it gives us a very clear indication of the growth of the place. It was during this same year that tin* people of the diocese, and. in fact, church people generally. received a great -hock by the news that the dear old Bishop was laid aside by a severe illness which necessitated his resignation. Considerable difficulty was found in appointing a successor. ’lhe Ven. Archdeacon W . L. Williams, son of the Bishop, declined the Bishopric, and so did the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, of Tiniaru ami Westland. Eventually tin* Bev. E. C. Stuart, formerly organising secretary of the ('.M.S.. was appointed, and at the end of the year 1877 lie was consecrated. Shortly after this the death occurred of Bishop Williams, an event which was deeply mourned. I’he S\nod of 1876 authorised the division of the parish of St. John’s into two, as it had grown so considerably, but this was not carried out owing t<> the differences previously referred to. 'The Rev. John Townshend -ent in his resignation as from Eehruary. 1577. and the Rev. Samuel Robinson, who had also resigned, left Napier. During the time tin* cure was vacant, tin Revs. St. Hill. Johnstone, G. M. D’Arcy Irvine and John Spear took the services, pending the appointment of a new vicar, which was not made till the following year. The choice fell on the' Re\. De Berdt llovell. of Prebbleton, ( hri-t c hurc h, and it proved a singularly happy one. Th.- new vicar was inducted into the cure by the Bishop on July 4. 1878. and we now enter upon a period of rest ami contentment. after the long vacancy, although tin* clergymen who ha.l been temporarily in c harge had served the parish well. Shortly after the arris al of Mr llovell. steps were taken for the erection of St. John’s schoolroom on the land that had been recently purchased from Mr. Robert Hart, in Brown-ing-street. at a cost exceeding £7OO. With the passing of years, and under the* charge* of the* new vicar, the* affairs of St. John’s progressed apace. In 1880 a further eiila rgement of the church w.:s found necessary, and the* sum of £7o»v was spent in erecting a new chancel and organ chamber, the work being carried out by Messrs David ( Hendenning and Joshua Bennett. The new portion was consecrated in July of the l next year. It was also found that the work of the parish had increased to such an extent that it was imperative to provide for the spiritual wants of the people at the Bort, and outlying district. Mr Walter Welsh, who had lately arrived with his wife from iL»me. was appointed lay assistant. and subscriptions were started

for the erection of *a church, the site for which was purchased in 1881. Shortly afterwards the Rev. Charles Lawrence Take, of St. John's College, Auckland, was appointed curate assistant to Mr Hovell. and took charge of the southern portion of the parish, holding service's in the Lutheran Church, oil’ I lastings-strei't. When referring to this period of the Cathedral’s history, one must not omit to recall the animated discussion which arose over the proposal at the annual meeting of July. 1881, to robe the choir (to which boys had been added a few mon His before) in cassocks ami surplices. Such a departure was not viewed favourably by some of the members, but it was eventually carried by 50 votes to 3. The following year was noted for the fact that the incumbent and Mr Take began to give religious instruction in the Napier District School, with the consent of the school committee, two days in the week, after school hours. Classes were also held at the Port by Mr Welsh and at Gisborne with much success. The extension of Church work in Napier was very marked during the year 1883. The new church at Port Ahuriri was consecrated by the Bishop on August 31st, and dedicated* to St. Andrew, with the Rev. Walter Welsh (who had been ordained deacon at the end of the previous year) in charge of the new parochial district, which was detached from Napier during the Synod of 1883. The Rev. C.

L. Take was admitted to Priest’s orders in December, 1882, and inducted as incumbent of Taradale, his place in Napier being filled by Mr. Joshua Parkinson as lay assistant. Mr. Parkinson and his wife had lately arrived from England.

On the second of October, 1884. occurred another of those incidents which serve a.s mile stones in the steady pro-

gross of the parish the consecration of St. Augustine's, Napier South, which had' been erected mainly through tin* assistance granted from the Foster Trust, which was formed from an (‘state left that year by Mrs. Robert Foster. We now come to the scheme which resulted in the present handsome building of which Napier people are justly proud. It was on December 17, 1885, that Mr. llovell first brought before the vestry his proposal for the building of a parish church and cathedral of the diocese, in brick and stone, on the land acquired from the Hon. Robt. Hart in Browningstreet and Church-lane. It was keenly taken up, Air. Alountfort of Christchurch, was commissioned' to prepare plans, and after due consideration tenders were called on these plans for various works in connection with the building, that of Messrs. Carmichael and Sons being accepted in July, 1886. On September 29th of the same year the foundation stones of the main building and the North East Chapel were laid by the Bishop, the ceremony being a most impressive one and attended by a large concourse of people of all denominations. During the progress of the building the vicar was continuously on the spot, although a clerk of works was employed, and any bad or indifferent work or material was sure to be detected by his eagle eye, and rejected. It was an anxious time for him and his churchwardens and

vestrymen, who at the time were as follows: Messrs. H. A. Banner and J. B. Fielder, churchwardens; Messrs. W. EtliBon, P. A. F. Birch, T. J. Brasscy, H. Owen, M. S. Bell, F. W. Williams, J. Stephens, E. P. Mountfort, and N. Heath, vestrymen. They took the keenest interest in the work, and particularly in the raising of the necessary fund’s. Mr. 11. S. Tiffen, the great benefactor of the parish, had donated the handsome sum of £.lOOO, and liberal assistance was given by the trustees of the Foster Fund, the tS.P.G. and S.P.C.K. The liberality of the Church people of Napier was most commendable in assisting Mr. Hovell to realise his praiseworthy scheme of giving the diocese such a noble building, but it is to be regretted that the efforts that yvere made to secure funds for its completion were not so successful as anticipated to open it free of debt. The Church people of Napier were, however, imbued with a fine spirit of self-reliance and they Overcame most of the difficulties before the building was consecrated.

The great epoch in the history of the parish of St. John the Evangelist, and in that of the diocese, had now arrived, and those who look back on those brave days feel how much they owe to the gifted vicar who was at the head of affairs during a very trying time. The consecration of the building as the Bathedral church of the diocese was impressively performed on December 20th, 1888, by the Bishop, who, in his address to the Synod which met that month, Baid: “Need I say that a prevailing feeling in my mind during the last few months has been the longing desire to Bee the new Cathedral, of whose progress towards completion I have been receiving regular reports. Its ejection lias been constantly a subject of interest to those who have sought information about the diocese, and some valuable gifts had been presented by friends in token of their sympathy with the undertaking. It is indeed with much, thankfulness that I view the sucessfut Completion of so great a work, and I heartily congratulate the incumbent of St, John's, the Rev De Berdt Hovell, Bind the zealous churchmen of Napier, who have co-operated with him on the result of their labours.”

The expenditure on the site, building, and fittings to that date was £9,533, with liabilities amounting to £1,675. The extreme length of the cathedral is 180 feet, breadth 57 feet, height 65 feet. It has seating accommodation for over 1,200 persons. The chancel and organ chamber of the old building were given to St. Augustine’s, and greatly improved that rising church. Some of the transept windows were presented to St. Paul’s, Wairoa, and the remainder of the building was sold, converted into a dwelling house, and erected in Harveyroad, Napier. In the year 1899. the Synod passed ft bill constituting a cathedral chapter, the following being the first members: Dean, the Rev. De Berdt Hovell; Canons, Ven. Awhdeacons Samuel Williams, and W. li. Williams, Revs. J. E. Fox and H. W. St. Hill; lay members, Messrs. John Thornton and J. B. Fielder, who were installed at special Services in the Cathedral on the 9th and 14th October, 1891. The year 1890 was- an important one for the;cathedral. In April the beautiful large stained glass window presented by the widow of the late Hon. Robert Stokes, M.L.C., -was, in his memory, placed in position. The subject is “Our Cord in Glory,” and the window is one bf the largest and finest in the Australasian colonies. Mr. Stokes had always taken a great interest in the church, and was a member of the third General Synod, when the revision of the .Church constitution took place.

In the following year the indefatigable Dean Hovell had raised £l,lOO, Which was paid off the debt on the Cathedral.

Much to the regret of the people of the Diocese, the Bishop announced at the Synod of 1893, his intention of resigning, and returning to Persia, where lie had previously laboured. The office Was subsequently filled by the appointment of the Venerable William Leonard ftViliiauM, 8.A., and he was consecrated the cathedral on January 20th, 1895. I Dean H •veil was a man who always

made a success of whatever work betook in hand, 'and he had that remarkable faculty which is possessed by all true leaders, of being able to inspire others with some of his own confidence and enthusiasm. A remarKable instance of this occurred in the year 1895. On Sunday, July 21st, he made a special appeal to the-church people, of Napier to subscribe the sum of £l,OOO by that day week. A circular from the Dean to the church members was placed, in the Cathedral at the morning service, and in it was set out how seventeen years before there was in Napier only one church and one parsonage, -with a debt of £l,BOO. In -addition to taking oyer this debt the church members of Napier, during the intervening sixteen years had erected three churches, including the Cathedral, three school houses, and two parsonages—eight edifices in all—the liability of the Cathedral parish being £2,000. Great excitement prevailed in Napier during the week following theDean's appeal. The first donation was a cheque from a Rev. church member for £4OO, the second was the sum of one shilling from a poor widow, and so the list went on.

The following Sunday the Cathedral was crowded with a vast congregation, and there was no doubt about the interest or anxiety of the people in the fate of the weeks’ effort. All —Napier had been talking about the great collection for a week past, and the event had caused considerable excitement. The Dean carried the donations in the large offertory dish, and deposited them on the table of the sanctuary, followed by the eyes of everybody in the Cathedral. When it was announced that the total sum collected was £1,227 os. 2d. there was a feeling of great rejoicing. The service that morning was more than impressive, and many people were so m ved that they were unable to join in the hymn of thanksgiving with which the service opened. The magnificent response to the appeal showed in a marked degree the wonderful sympathy that existed betwen pastor and people, and it is extremely doubtful whether any other clergyman could have carried to a successful issue such a bold, and comprehensive scheme for the reduction of the debt of the

pariah. . The beginning of the year 1895 saw the parish suffer a great loss by the death of that munificent benefactor, Mr. Henry Stokes Tiffen, who passed away at tlie age of 77 years. In addition to his many gifts, Mr. Tiffen bequeathed the Parish the handsome sum of £l,OOO. Death also removed another prominent church member, in the person of Mr. Thomas Kennedy Newton, who for many years had been a member of the Synod, the standing’ committee, and the vestry of the parish. There then follows a period of calm progress, during which there were no events which stand out with marked prominence, but the work of the parish went on steadily and unceasingly under the careful guidance of the Dean, who had with him a faithful band of church workers. Passing rapidly over the intervening incidents, we may mention one or two which will revive memories among those who worshipped at the Cathedral during this time. In December, 1897, the parishioners gave permission for the ladies of the choir to be robed in surplices and college caps, and it was decided that they should occupy seats with the male members of the choir in the chancel of the Cathedral. In June, 1897, a very imposing service was held in connection with the celebrations of the record reign of Queen Victoria. Two years later the boundaries of the parish were altered by the constitution of the parochial district of St. Augustine’s. The Dean never lost an opportunity of improving and beautifying his cathedral, and about this time he formu'ated a scheme for the ultimate filling in of the windows with stained glass, and the panels in the brickwork with appropriate subjects in alabaster or mosaics. The vestry has now obtained samples and cost of the proposed work, and any information will be gladlygiven to those who contemplate making any gifts towards this worthy object. Owing to the disbanding of the Napier Naval Artillery Volunteers, it was decided to give tire colours into tho keeping of the Cathedral, and they were deposited in the B.E. transept on January- 7th, 1900. The officers of the corps were: Captain F. G. Smith, Lieutenant* John Caughcy, and O. H. M. Hovell. The last mentioned afterwards served through the South African, war, and ob-

tained a commission in the Manchester Regiment of the Imperial Army. In the same year it was decided to complete the Cathedral by the .erection ot. the north-east chapel. Tiie work was finished and consecrated on August 7th, 1902.

The beautiful font which now adorns the cathedral was erected in the year 1903, and it has an interesting history. About the year 1880 it was decided that the collections made at all the children’s services should be placed to the credit of a font fund, and- invested as collected. When they amounted to £ 100 an order was sent to Italy, and after some delay the font arrived. It is a replica ot the ifainous font by Thorwaldsen, the celebrated Danish sculptor, now in the Vor Fruekirke, the Metropolitan Church of Denmark. It represents an angel kneeling. down, and holding a shell. The angel, shell and pedestal are carved out of one block of C-arara marble, which rests on another block of marble, and the whole stand's on three marble steps. It is interesting to note that many of those who contributed to the fund as children have had their own children baptised in the font. The old font was given to the Church of St. Augustine. About this time it was found necessary, much to the regret of the parishioners. that the Dean should, for the benefit of his health, obtain leave of absence, and go away for a change. The regard of his people for him was shown in the presentation of an address and a well-filled purse of sovereigns prior to the departure of himself, Mrs. Hovell and family on a trip to England. The Rev. Win. Lambert acted as locum tenens during the Dean’s absence. Towards the end of the year the Dean and’family returned to Napier, the Dean much benefited in health, and received a most hearty welcome. At the same meeting the people bade good-bye to Mr. Lambert, who had endeared! himself to them very- much during his stay among them, and he received a tangible evidence of the regard in which he was held.

The purchase of a water motor for tho organ, and the erection of a memorial tablet in the north-east chapel to the memory of the officers and men of the Waiapu diocese who had fallen in the South African war, were events of this year which call for notice, and in December the Cathedral benefited by the generosity of Mr. William Booth, who had visited Napier some time previously, and taken a great interest in the Cathedral. He left a handsome legacy of £5OO, less duty.

For some time after the return of tho Dean from his trip Home, his health continued fair, but he was fully aware, from what he had been told by tin eminent medical relative in London, that an insidious disease from which he had been suffering for some years would bring him to an early grave. The vestry, seeing that his health was failing, prevailed upon him to secure the services of a curate. This ho did. and his work was lightened, but nothing could save him. He had a bad attack during Divine Service on Sunday, August 3rd,

1905. In the course of a few days ho and Mrs. Hovell went out to Ormondville to visit Mrs. Webb, the widow of the Dqan's old friend, Canon Webb. The Dean and Mrs. Hovell went for a walk on tho morning of September 4th, ami

returned to lunch. During the after noon the Dean complained of not feeling well, and was assisted to bed. He had scarcely been laid down, when he peacefully expired. Thus passed away, in the prime of life, a man beloved and honoured by people of all denominations. His memory will ever remain green among those who know him, and particularly those who were privileged to work with him, and knew him for what he was —strong, fearless, generous, and true. His twenty-seven years of service in St. John’s are practically »!»<• record of its rise from a small parish church to its present position. Tho funeral took place on September 7tn, and it was the occasion of a remarkable expression of tho respect and regard of people of all denominations in the town.

Towards the end, when he knew that ho must soon be cut off, the Dean was much exercised about provision being made for his widow, and it ie gratifying to know that his wishes were carried out to the letter. In memory of their beloved pastor, the parishioners have erected a marble tablet in the south-east transept with the following inscription: “This tablet was erected by tho parishioners in loving memory of the Very Rev. De Berdt Hovelt, first Dean of Waiapu. and vicar of this parish 1878-11’05. Died 4th September, 1905. Age, 55. Tho

erection of this Cathedral was due to his efforts. 'Si nionmnentum requiri* cireumspice.' " From the moneys that had been collected for Mrs. Hovell she requested that a portion should be devoted to the purchase of a brass lectern. The amount was supplemented by donations from the Masonic brethren, and a very handsome lectern, a replica of that in Westminster Abbey, was purchased. It bears an inscription, in which is included a reference to the fact that the Dean was Provincial Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. During the vacancy several clergymen had charge of the parish, and finally, on January sth. 1906, the Rev. Canon Mayne, M.A., of St. John’s, Roslyn, Dun. din. (the present incumbent), was inducted by tile Bishop, and subsequently• lie and Mrs. Mayne were welcomed 1 by th,. parishion ers at a large garden party held in the grounds of Mrs. Randall. For some time it had been felt that the organ in use was not worthy of the Cathedral, and on March 9th, 1906. the vestry decided to erect a new one. Mr. J. H. Fray, the organist and choirmastdr, drew up the specification, and tenders were called, the prices ranging from £1470 to £3lOO. The tender of Mr. J. E. Dodd, of Adelaide, South Australia, was accepted, and the instrument he supplied—the cost was £lB3B—fully justified the choice. It has 65 stops, etc., and 2222 pipes,.and' is constructed throughout on the latest and most approved system. The organ was opened on September 10, 1907, by Dr. Bradshaw, of the Christchurch Cathedral, with a series of recitals. Mr. Fray resigned his position in May of the present year, and his place was taken by Mr. Harold Gregson. Mr. Fielder brings his history to a close with these words: “ I hope it wilt be acceptable to my readers, and especially those who are not acquainted with the trials qnd troubles of the pioneers of New Zealand, and' that it may give food for thought, and be an incentive to the present generation to foster the same spirit of self reliance and an object lesson to still continue in the good work. For it must be remembered that as settlement progresses in the back blocks the Gospel of peace and good will must follow. For this pinpose the clergy must accompany such progress, and financial aid must be forthcoming to allow this to lie done. Many new districts in this diocese are now being opened up, and the bishop is d'oing his utmost to procure clergyman to take over the spiritual charge of these districts, which ar e as yet only sparsely populated, and without the aid' of grants they will not be able to provide stipends. For this purpose I plead for aid to the funds of the Church Society from which the Standing Committee of the Diocese will be enabled to supplement the local contributions for carrying on the work of the several districts.”

A complete history of the Diocese, illustrated with a number of rare old photographs, will be published by the Brett, Printing and Publishing Company early next year.