CHAPLAIN-GENERAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1925, Page 4

CHAPLAIN-GENERAL.

.HISHOP TAYLOR SMITH. WELLINGTON, December 22. The Right Rev. John Taylor Smith, who was Chaplain-General of the British Forces during the Great War, was a passenger by the Maungnmii, which arrived from Sydu4%- to-day. He has just finished a visit to Australia, where he took part in the centenary celebrations of the Church Missionary Society in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. During his stay in the Commonwealth he addressed students in the loading colleges and schools, as well as meetings of the Church of England Men's Society. Bishop Taylor Smith leaves for the south to-night, and will go to Dunedin. subsequently visiting Blenheim, and returning to Wellington in the first week in January. He is to leave Auckland on January 19th by the Niagara for Vancouver, on his way to Eng land.

Bishop Taylor Smith was appointed Chaplain-General of the Forces in 1901. After a wide and varied experience in bis earlier life he was Canon inissioner in Sierra Leone. During the Ashanti Expedition lie acted as Chaplain to the Forces, and it-fell to him to attend the Ia He Prince Henry of Ikiltenborg when Queen Victoria’s son-in-law was stricken down with lever. lie succeeded to the Itishoprie of Sierra Leone in 1S!)7. and four years later was appointed bv King Edward to bo ChaplainGeneral of the Forces.

He had many special qualifications which fitted him for the post. He knew the needs of the Army thoroughly in all its sections; he was a capable organiser and his administrative qualities were great, lie had. too, a remarkable influence over men. lie retired from the post of Chaplain-Gen-eral. having reached the age limit in April last, after 24 years’ service. He laid tl.e oversight of between 3000 and •1000 ehanlains during the war.

Bishop Taylor Smith speaks in terms of appreciation of the noble part which Now Zealanders took in bringing about filial victory in the war. England, he said, could never forgot the sacrifices of men and money which the Dominion made for King and country, and a righteous cause.