FREDERICK WILLIAM CHATTERTON.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 26, Issue 8, 1 August 1936, Page 1

FREDERICK WILLIAM CHATTERTON.

Frederick William Chatterton, who died on Thursday, July 16th, was born m 1860 at Tamworth, where he received his early education. At seventeen he obtained a position m Lloyd's Bank m London and worked there for seven years.

In 1884 Bishop Suter of Nelson visited England, and during his visit arranged that Mr Chatterton should return with him to New Zealand. After a course of training under the Bishop at Bishopsdale he was ordained deacon m 1886 and priest m the following year. For two years he acted as the Bishop's domestic chaplain with a nominal curacy at Whaka-

maka. In 1888 he was appointed Vicar of All Saints' Church m Nelson, where he remained till 1902, when he became Principal of the Maori Theological College at Te Rau, Gisborrie. While at the college he sat for and obtained the degree of 8.D., Durham, and was made a Canon of Waiapu m 1918. In 1919 he was appointed to the Cure of Rotorua, where he worked till failing health compelled his resignation m 1934. He was Archdeacon of Tauranga from 1919 till his death. . The Archdeacon was a staunch Evangelical, but always tolerant of the views of others. He was a deep thinker, and habitually formed a judgmatical view of any problem presented to him. In his early days at Nelson he imbibed an interest m the Maori race, which he retained for the rest of his life. He took a very keen interest m foreign missions, and was one of the active movers m the formation of the New Zealand Branch of the Church Missionary Society. He was very musical, and during his residence m London he acted as organist m one of the London churches. He was for many years a prominent member of the New Zealand . Alliance and an ardent advocate of Prohibition. He was never really robust, but was accustomed to fatiguing activities, being always careless of his own ease when he considered that his duty demanded action. A few years ago he underwent a serious operation, which while it gave him relief, seriously diminished his strength, and to onlookers it appeared that it was only his indomitable will which enabled him to carry out his duties. While he held his own views strongly, his sense of justice made him considerate to those who differed from him. His affectionate disposition won the love of others and created a very wide circle of friends. He will be much missed by Maori and Pakeha, not only m the Diocese of Waiapu, but throughout the whole of New Zealand. Mrs Chatterton may be assured of the heartfelt sympathy of her many thousands of friends.