NEW PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 608, 15 February 1921, Page 5

NEW PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

REV. DAVIS APPOINTED. MAN WITH SPLENDID RECORD. After being, incorporated with the parochial district of Otahuhu for many years, Papatoetoe has at last - broken away and becomes che Papatoetoe parochial district. On Sunday evening-, February 6, the Rev. P. C. Davis was formally instituted as vicar by Bishop Averill. The ceremony performed in St, George’s Church Hall was regarded as the beginning ol a new and greater era in the history of the Anglican Church in the district. Rev. Davis was also instituted as chaplain of the Papatoetoe Orphanage.

Before coming to this district Kev. Davis was vicar of Northcote for about ten months, where was relieving Rev. Laurence Greer, who suffered from asthma and had gone to Africa for the benefit of his health. The Rev. Carew Thomas now takes up a short term of office at Northcote, and he will be again transferred in six months’ time, when Rev. Greer returns. Thus it will be seen that Northcote has been particularly unfortunate lately in having many changes.

Rev W. G. Monckton, vicar of Takapuna, speaks in highly complimentary terms of Rev. Davis* whose popularity with the people was a proof of his magnetic personality. Then, as the friendship was passing from the rapid growth of its spring days to the brightness of summer, connection' was severed. Although Rev. Davis leaves very pleasant memories behind him it is hoped that his period of office in his new sphere will leave no room for regrets; but that with the unfailing hospitality of the people he may soon become as one of them. Moreover it would be a deep disappointment to everyone—and perhaps greatest of all to the vicar himself—if this friendship were “cut off ere its prime”; but would go on to the golden autumn of its growth, when the fruits of the early sowing are gathered. So is the first vicar of Papatoetoe welcomed and in harmony with his welcome he will doubtless be held in high esteem on account of his kind and genial bearing and his brilliant record.

Facts of this record have been furnished by the vicar; but in his typically modest way it is feared that he has omitted much that deserves to be wrtten. At the end of 1916 he went into training as a private. In the middle of 1917, after about six months of camp life, he left New Zealand as chaplain of the forces on board the hospital ship Maheno. muring nis service on that ship • he made two voyages round the world, and saw many foreign peoples. Early in 1918 he was called away to Egypt. This was the time of the great offensive, when General Alienby was making his way towards Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and Marshal Fceh had developed his plan of operations against the German armies. Rev.; Davis spent much time in Egypt and was one of the latest to return to these shores. Altogether he saw three years’ service. Prior to his war work he was private chaplain to Bishop Averill; and in this capacity he doubtless gained experience which will now prove valuable to him. The house of Mr. T. R. Smytheman in Wentworth Avenue has been purchased as a vicarage and there it is that the vicar has taken up residence. The grounds are well laid out in lawns, with winding concreted oaths.