The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 1928.

TIIF, msIIOP OF AOTFI’OA. I 'it'i’int icsqi: K eircu instances attended I In- eonsocraLion on Sunday at Napier iil the liisliup of Autt-nni. The ceremony, with its impressive and mi usual features, was one (says the Otago Daily Times) that .should lie memorable to all whose privilege it was to lie present at it. Pakehas and Maoris, displaying an equal interest in it, joined in the singing of hymns “in both tongues at the same time with perfect harmony,” and this concord in a joint participation in the proceedings should augur well for the success of a step to which the Anglican Church in New Zealand has given much ' careful consideration. The appointment of a suffragan bishop whose work will be confined mainly to ministering to members of the Aiaori race is a new departure expressive of the importance which the Church attaches to its labours among the descendants of the people to whom the Rev Samuel Alarsden came to preach over a century ago. The Maoris are a proud people, racially considered, who may lie expected to appreciate having, to all intents and purposes, a bishop of their own in the North Island. In a sermon delivered in both .Maori and Fnglish—a deliverance no doubt unique in such circumstances as well as eloquently appropriate to the occasion—Archdeacon "Williams laid effective emphasis on one or two points connected with the appointment of the new bishop. It must not he considered, he said, that this appointment was being made merely as a convenient arrangement which would ease dioceses of the responsibility of maintaining in a satisfactory condition their finances in regard to work among the • Maoris, and relieve the bishops of the Dominion of the burden of visiting remote portions of their dioceses to minister to the Maoris, nor was it to be regarded as a gratifying compliment to members of the Native race, enabling iliem to see one of their number in episcopal dress performing episcopal acts. The deeper purpose and significance of the creation of the new episcopal position were expounded by Archdeacon Williams with considerable force, and it should be the hope of all who have the wel’are of the Maoris at heart that the anticipations that have been encouraged in this matter may not be disappointed The consecration of a dignitary, bearing a designation so picturesque and euphou-

ions as that at the Bishop of Aoloaroa, who will relied in his ollu-e something of the ideals of the Native race in New Zealand ami its increasing successful adaptation to the thought and progress of the times, is an event of general public interest.