ARCHBISHOP JULIUS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 8

ARCHBISHOP JULIUS.

RETIREMENT FROM OFFICE.

His Grace Archbishop Churchill Julius retired from office as Primate of New Zealand and Bishop of Christchurch yesterday. For a period of 54 years his Grace has been a member of the clergy of the Anglican Church, and of that time lie has held the office of Bishop for no less than 35 years. As ho mentioned when he intimated his intention of retiring to the Diocesan Synod held in Christchurch in October last, he is, by date of consecration, 0110 of the oldest Bishops in tho Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Julius was born in Richmond, Surrey, in 1X47, and was educated at Blacklu-ath Proprietary School, at King's College, London, and at Worcester College, Oxford. lie graduated as a Bachelor of Arts in 1869, as M.A. in 3871, and took his degree as Doctor of Divinity in 1893. In the year IS7I he was ordained deacon, and was appointed as curate of St. Giles's, Norwich, the same year, a* position which he held until 1873. He was ordained priest in 1872. In 1573 he succeeded to tho charge of Brent, in Somersetshire, and became Yiear of Shapwick in 1875, occupying this office for three years. He became Yicar of Holy Trinity, Islington North, in 1878, and finally came to Australia in 1884, in which year he became Vicar of Christ Church, Ballarat. Continuing in this office until 1890, he was Archdeacon of Ballarat from 1883 until that year, when he came to New Zealand as Bishop of Christchurch. He has been Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand since 1922.

During his long residence in the Dominion he lias earned the golden opinions and deep regard, not only of the peoplo of his own Conlmunion but of all with whom he has come in contact. liis notable work as a churchman has won him the respect of both the people of New Zealand and also those outside it, while he has never shrunk from taking that part in public ]ifo of tho province and of the Dominion as u whole.

As an indication of the resppct nud esteem which his Grace has earned during his long term of office a public farewell will be accorded him in the King Edward Barracks on Thursday night. At this function, Civic as well as the Church authorities of the different denominations will be represented. Dr. Julius will also be accorded a farewell by the Mothers' Union to-morrow. The Very Rev. Dean Carrington will act as Commissary until the new Bishop is appointed to office.

THE SEVENTH PRIMATE.

A SCRAP OF HISTORY.

(sfscui. 10 "TOT pbkss.")

AUCKLAND, April 20

The new Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, Dr. A. W. Averill, takes over his new 1 office to-morrow, consequent on the retirement of Archbishop Julius. No official ceremony will mark his succession, but the Primate will celebrate Holy Communion at St. Mary's Cathedral, while celebrations will also be held in every church in the Auckland diocese; in the evening a function will be held in the Town' Hall at which the Mayor (Sir James Gunson) will preside. Addresses of congratulation will be given. The history of the Anglican Church in New Zealand shows that Bishop Averill comes seventh on the list of Primates. The first Primate, whose official title was Bishop of New Zealand, was thu famous missionary Bishop, Dr. George Augustus Selwyn. A call was first made on William Selwyn, his elder brother, but he declined appointment. Bishop Selwyn reached Auokland in June, 1842. When the Governor, Captain Hobson, received' word that a Bishop was to be appointed to New Zealand, he exclaimed: "A Bishop 1 What on earth can a Bishop do in New Zealand where there are no roads for his coach!" When he beheld the recipient of the surprising appointment ho changed his mind. "Ah," he remarked, "That is a very different thing. This is the right man for the post."