IN MEMORIAM

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XX, Issue 4, 1 October 1929, Page 1

IN MEMORIAM

FRANK MAYNE, PRIEST

Probably the majority of the readers of the Gazette who live m Northern Hawke's Bay knew the Dean and knew something of his true Christian character, but there must be very many m other parts of the diocese who never met him or knew him. The Dean hated notoriety. He was content to fulfil his daily duty quietly and faithfully seeking not the praise of men but doing all things for the Church he loved as m the sight of God and not for the approbation of men. Although he was a man of strong convictions and definite principles he could always listen with friendly interest to the views of- others and was most careful m no way to offend by the manner m which he eunuciated his own. His charity approached the standard of St. Paul's description m the thirteenth chapter of Ist Corinthians. It was shown m his love for the sick and bereaved, for the sad and sorrowful and their consequent love for him. For those who knew him it was impossible not to love him. For many years his physical health has not been good and yet he insisted on hearing alone the burden of his very difficult parish. He was most assiduous m his ministrations to the sick and m carrying on the work of religious instruction m the schools m Napier, particularly m the High Schools. The charity that hopeth all things, believeth all things and thinketh no evil made him frequently the prey of unscrupulous hut plausible imposters but he preferred to run the risj^ of being imposed Upon rather than to refuse to help anyone who seemed really to he m poverty or trouble, and gave without stint. He had a heart overflowing with sympathy and would sacrifice himself cheerfully if m any way he could afford consolation •>nd help to those who needed it. He had a hatred of cant and if he thought the naked truth needed to be uttered he did not hesitate to say plainly what he thought, though never with unkindness. He will be greatly missed by

his brother clergy and indireotly by the whole diocese and not least by the ministers of the various denominations with whom he was on the most friendly terms. He was loved and revered not so much on account of any outstanding qualities of his character hut because his whole personality was so loveable. He was humble and deeply spiritually minded but hated the least taint of hypocrisy : he preferred to hide his deepest thoughts rather than to appear to parade them. His death came as a great shock to us all for though few expeoted.that he would ever be able to recover completely his former health yet 'we hoped that he might enjoy a few years of -rest and retirement free from labour and worry. That rest he was not destined to have upon earth but it will be the confident prayer of ail who loved him that he may enjoy m Paradise refreshment, light and peace m the presence of the Master whom he served so faithfully. M.W.B.

The late Dean of Waiapu was born m Dublin m 1867. He graduated at

Durham, and was ordained m 1892 by the Bishop of Bath and Wells. In 1894 he came to N.Z. t and for 18 months was on the staff of Christ's College. In 1896 he was appointed Vicnr of Roslyn, and Canon of St. John's Cathedral, Dunedin m 1900. In 1906 he succeeded Dean Hovell as Vicar of St. John's parish, Napier, and m 1919 was made Dean of Waiapu. The dean had so far recovered from his long and distressing illness as to have had all his arrangements made for going to Queensland to recuperate; but lacking the strength to resist a sudden attack of pneumonia he passed away at the Deanery very peacefully m the early morning of September 3rd. The Cathedral was crowded for the funeral service which was taken by the Bishop, assisted by Archdeacon Brocklehurst. It was fitting that his body should have lain m the Church which he had loved so well, and which had so often resounded to the immortal hope of the Burial service from his lips. His mortal remains were laid to rest m the Havelock Cemetery, m the presence of very many who loved and respected him, and of all his brother-clergy from Hawke's Bay. To his widow and children we extend our deepest sympathy.