TRIBUTES TO LATE BISHOP

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 64, 8 December 1937, Page 4

TRIBUTES TO LATE BISHOP

Service in Napier This Afternoon DIOCESE MANAGEMENT Paying a. tribute to the late Et. Rev. H. W. °Williams, Bishop of Waiapu, Archbishop A. W. Averill said that as Bishop ot Waiapu, h© had been well acquainted wxtb Bishop W'ilhams's work among tlxe Maoris, The Church had benefited inucb by his rexixarkable knowledge of its cauons, and he had given invaluable help to General Synod oix all questioxis of Churcli law. He had long beou a xnember of the {St. Jolxu's Coliege Trust Board as one of three members appointed by the Board of Theological Btuuxes. His death was a great personal loss, and his place would be hard to fill. Speaking of the late Bishop Williams xxot long ago, the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt. Rev. F.A. Bennett, said, "Eis associateB of the past followed Tane, the spirit of the setting sun, and he stands by lximself as a lonely figureNo other pakeha occupies a simiJar position, and, after he passes away no one will be left for the Maori to look to to give the sympathy, counsel and guidance that he can. He occupies a unique position in the love and respect of the Maori race." Bishop Bennett; added that 75 per cent. of the present-day Maoris did not knqw the ancient songs and incantations of their people as well as the bishop did, andi he had an unequalled knowledge of Maori -life and customs. The funeral service and burial of the late bishop took place this afternoon, olergymen and laymen from all parts of the diocese, ap well as from further afield, attending at the service at St. Johnlg Church and at the Napier Ceme-. tery, Among these taking part in the service were Archbishop Averill, the Bishop ef Wellington, the Rt. Rev, St, Barbe-Holland, and Bishop Bennett, Cgnsequent upon tlxe * death of Bishop Williaras, it will be neqessary for a commissary fo be appointed to manage the affairs of the diocese until a suecessor is appointed. The appointment of the commissary will lie in the hands of the Archbishop of New Zea' land. .