NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 13, 29 September 1909, Page 64

NAPIER.

September 25. The chief topic of gossip this week has been the election of the new Bishop of Waiapu. In certain quarters a strong feeling in favour of Archdeacon Williams prevailed, and more especially so as the position has been held by the Williams family for so many years of the Church’s history in Hawke's Bay. It was also essential that the Bishop should be a man of means, ae the salary attached to the position is only about £5OO a year, and the expenditure necessitated by the efficient filling of the position is considerable. On the other hand, the district within the bishopric being scattered, and many of the settlements difficult of access, there was an equally strong feeling in other quarters in favour of appointing a younger man. Two essential qualifications were found in Archdeacon Averill, who is just well into the forties, and who is possessed of substantial private means. The scale was turned, when the voting took place, by a combination of the younger Maori clergy,

who quite unexpectedly cast their voice* in Archdeacon Averill’s favour. The new Bishop is expected here next week, and there is a good deal of speculation concerning his choice of residence. An enjoyable plain and fancy dress ball was held in the Eskdale Hall on Wednesday evening last, as a wind-up to the assembly dances. There were some pretty and original costumes worn. Amongst them were: Miss Blane as Topsy; Mrs Gui Heard, Folly; Miss Banks, Bags and Tatters; Miss Houltain, Cherryripe; Mrs Hughes, Sweet Seventy; Miss Davis, Good Luck; Miss Lee, Sailor; Mr Hughes, Black and White; Mr Laingbeir, Swagger; Mr Clarke, Chinaman.

Personal. Miss G. Dinwiddie has gone for a. trip of some months to Melbourne. Miss Elsie Simpson, of Wellington, is on a visit here. Miss E. Bulkley, of Wellington, was in Napier for a few days last week..

MARJORY.