RETURN OF BISHOP NELIGAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 9, 3 March 1909, Page 16

RETURN OF BISHOP NELIGAN.

The Right Rev. Dr. Neligan, D.D.. Anglican Bishop of Auckland, returned to {Auckland last week by theMonowai, after an asence of a year, lie was accompanied by Mrs. N.digan and family, and the Rev, t'auon Maiimirray. the llishop's Commissary, who had been to Wellington to meet the Bishop. 'There was a large gathering of clergy and Chinch people present to •welcome the Bishop, amongst them being the Venerable Archdeacon Calder, the members of the Diocesan Standing Committee and of the Trust Board, and the Itevs. ( owie (Hamilton). Lush (Epiphany). Gillam (St. Matthew's), Walker (Ellerslie), Macfarlaud (Mount Eden), (Smith (Northeote), Monckton (Takapuna). Reeve St. Sepulchre’s), Smaites (st. Sepulchre'*). Pigott (St. Thomas's), Leans (New Plymouth), and Thomas (Inglewood). Bishop Neligan. w hen approached by representatives of the Press, absolutely refused to bo interviewed. “ 1 won't give anyone an interview upon any condition (whatsoever." he said. "I have written til! I have to say to the ‘Church Magazine. Im not responsible for what you chaps make me say.” The Bishop and Mrs. Neligan were welcomed back to the diocese at a social gathering in the Choral Hall, held on Tli.ir-day evening. Bishop Neligan, in returning thanks for an illuminated address of welcome, referred to the contrast which existed between that occasion and that other occasion, six years ago, w hen he addressed an audience for the first time in the Choral Hall.. Then he scarcely knew a soul in New Zealand, and scarcely a person, probably, knew him. Now he felt lie was returning to tried friends who cared, and had given sterling proofs of friendship and devotion, and were ready to work with their reader in one of the uc' ious of life —to join hands with him in the great battle for God against sin, the world and the devil. Tne Mayor of the city, six years ago—the Mon. E. Mitehetson, who deserved well of the whole Dominion for what he had done on behalf of vd.nation—had. greatly daring, raid, on th? occasion he referred to. that be hoped the new Bishop would stir them up. tie (Bishop Ne’izar) had been trying his best to sink’' them up ever since, find he 1 ,ght ; had now reached the stage when they wight settle down. But they llc'st- ..'s' to -leap. If they did it would I>> !■ -ai.\ to shake them up again, liis 1 • • of arrival in Auckland ' .is •' .i ~f hope and encouragement. The Bishop w.-nt on to pay special tributes of thanks to those who had arranged that r. ep ..:i; to the Standing Commit t’. and to th- Trust Board for ih.'ir lot <1 ba kiim up of every scheme Which wa- to tie for the benefit and welfare : lie.to the diocesan te. ret ii . . M . Coc-braiie. who was rightly known i- 5,,|,, n the Wise; and to the Ne v Z -i’i i i shipping Company and Union St >a i ship Company of New Zealand for ’ ' nay in which tic and his family ha l!■■■ a treated. After expressing regret at the gaps which a year had pr.idmed a th • ranks of the church militant in New Zealand, the Bishop went, on fi. refer to the increased demands made upon them by increase of population in th., dio-ese. Already he had received petitions for more services and more clergy. And it seemed that St. John's College was pressed to the utmost extent to provide aciiimmodation for men who were not only reading for orders, but for the pro;, si..ns as well, and the Giris’ (school aa- so full that the headmistress scarcely knew what to do. The Council of the High School had the most daring scheme to adequately provide for the demands.