BISHOP NELIGAN'S RESIGNATION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 16 July 1910, Page 4

BISHOP NELIGAN'S RESIGNATION.

The announcement that the Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Neliqan) has found it necessary to resign owing to continued ill-health will be received with feelings of sympathy and regret throughout New Zealand. Dr. Neligan certainly has not spared himself in his efforts to provide for the spiritual needs of his large and scattered diocese, and he has taken a leading part at the meetings of the General Synod in framing the policy of the Anglican Church of New Zealand as a whole. Though his episcopate has lasted only a little over seven years, he has been able to accomplish much good work which will prove of lasting benefit to the Church. The organisation of his diocese _ has shown a marked development in the direction of greater efficiency, the number of clergy has increased by nearly 25 per cent., and the Diocesan High School for Girls, of which he was the founder, has proved an unqualified success and is now one of the best institutions of its kind in-the Dominion. Then again, mainly through his great energy, the usefulness of St. John's College has ken extended by the addition of a new wing, and in spite of many adverse circumstances this institution, ' which belongs not to the Diocese of Auckland alone, but to the

whole Anglican Church of New Zealand, is bound to develop into a really great seat of learning. In the not' far-distant future its land endowments will form one of the finest residential areas in the suburbs of Auckland, tho income from which will enable St. John's to attract men of the highest scholarship to its staff, and the college will, thus become the chief educational centre -'of the Anglican ! Church for the training of promising young New Zealanders for the work of the ministry. Dit. Neligan has taken a broad and statesmanlike view of things, having sufficient confidence in the future of his Church to believe in the good time coming which will justify the noblest ventures of faith. He has always had ,the courage of his opinions, of which fact his address to his ' Synod last year on the attitude of the Church to industrial and social problems provides an excellent example; but some.of his utterances have from time to time caused a good deal of opposition in certain quarters. That he should have aroused some antagonism was, perhaps, inevitable, for. a man of his quick temperament and vigorous outspokenness must at times offend the- susceptibilities of those who do not see eye to eye with him. But all must admit his untiring efforts on behalf of his people, and all will unite in the hope that- his health will soon be completely restored, and that in somo other sphere he may have the strength and opportunity to' use his many fine gifts to the best advantage. Mrs. Neligan, too, has done much good work for the girls and women of the Diocese of. Auckland, and her departure will also bo much regretted. The resignation of Dr. Neligan emphasises the urgent need for the creation of a fourth diocese in the North Island, and the proposal for the establishment and endowment of- a See of Taranaki must, soon be very seriously considered. There may be some difficulty over the selection of the new Bishop of Auckland, for one cannot overlook the! fact that there has,' of recent, years, been a tendency among a section of the Anglican community of that, diocese to form separate parties. This is regrettable, but no doubt the great central body of churchmen will be strong enough to'.see that neither of the .extremes, High or Low, is allowed to capture the Church. Adistinguished writer recently declared ,that a Church which found room for only one school of thought would soon cease to think at all. It is therefore to bo hoped that the Diocesan Synod, to whom is entrusted the election of the Bishop, will select a man of- independent judgment, and one strong enough as a leader to hold the bal'anco fairly between all parties—a man of broad and liberal views and well abreast .of the great intellectual tendencies and social activities .of the present age. Such a man would secure, the confidence and support of all schools of thought in the Church, and-would have a powerful influence on tho moral well-being of the whole country.