BISHOP NELIGAN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 3

BISHOP NELIGAN.

The following is a short sketch of trie career of tho Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Neligiin), whose resignation was announced in Saturday's issue:— The Right Rev. Moore Richard Noiigan, D.D., is a son of the late Rev. Maurice Neligan, Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, and incumbent of Christ- Church, Lueson Park, in tin; same. city. He was boni in IS.iB, and educated at Reading School ::nd sit Trinity College, Dublin, where ho graduated fi.A. in 1884, and where later he. also took the degree of M.A. H.e did not receive his doctorate till 11)02. He wan ordained di-acon in ISKU, and priest m the following year at York .Minster by tho lute Arulibishop Thomson. Before ho came In New' Zealand lit had .iu all-round expwidiaiii in vhu ClHircli. For two years, 1880 and 1887, h« was curate anion;; a largo Yorkshire population near Hull, and duriug iho next two years he held a l vur.icy at the Norfolk village uf -Dcrchum. V-'rom this quiet sphere ho was transferrin, in 1800, to thu rich and fashionable London West End parish of Christ Church, Lancaster Uiite, Hydu Park. From this position he was preferred to tho vicarage of another End parish, that of St. Stephen's, < Westbourne Park, where ho remained eight years, When ho was called from London, in 1902, to accept the bishopric of Auckland, "The Times" said of him: "His work has been successful in a marked degree.' The lines on which it has been carried on augur- well for tho new Bishop's usefulness in New Zealand. To begin with, he is a modoralii churchman, anxious to promote bright services without extravagant ritual. He has been a keen educationist, and the church schools of his parish have been brought at great expense to a high state of' efficiency. Few men havo been, more successful in attracting and retaining- tho loyal cooperation of the laity,' anil he can boast that the many thousands of pounds contributed at St. Stephen's during his incumbency have been entirely administered and accounted for by his lay colleagues and not by himself." '■„ In connection with St. Stephen's, Bishop Neligau proved himself a man of unbounded energy, great administrative resources, and great capability, both a-s a preacher and teacher. He founded schools which cost £11,000, and insisted on the restoration of tho ohurch at a cost of £70ljU. In pnrisfi expenses St. Stephen's spent £5000 a year, and during Dr. Neligan's incumbency- over £50,000 was spent. Of that amount neither the vicar nor his clergy touched one penny piece, every farthing being dealt with by the laity. Tho church, seating 1350 people, was crowded morning and evening; tho congregation being principally composed of professional men, merchants, and such classes. In 'November, 1902, he was selecte<l by tho unanimous vote of the Auckland Diocesan Synod to succeed the late Bishop Cowie. He. was strongly recommended by the Bishops of London, Manchester, Bath, and Wells, and the lato Bishop of Tasmania. (.Bishop Montgomery). He accepted the invitation, and soon 'showed himself a most energetic bishop as.well as an efficient organiser. He started tho Diocesan High School for Girls, which has proved a most successful institution. He has also taken great interest in training candidates for Holy Orders, and devoted much attention to the work of St. John's College. Efficiency in oi<ganisatiou has been om> 01. id's watchwords, and he has accomplished a great deal in making provision for tho spiritual needs of sparsely, settled districts of his large diocese. " ■■