The Most Rev. Octavius Hadfield.

Manawatu Herald, 15 December 1904, Page 2

The Most Rev. Octavius Hadfield.

The death of Bishop Hadfield occurred at Marton on Sunday morning. The late Primate of New Zealand and Lord Bishop of Wellington settled, in Marton immediately on his retirement from his ecclesiastical office. The reverend gentlernad Was bofn at Bonchuroh, Isle of Wight, and educated partly in France, but on his return to England became a student at the Charterhouse ''chool, Qodalming, London (the chairman of whose Managing Board la the Archbishop of Canterbury) completing his educational course at Pembroke College, Oxford. He also studied for a time under his e’der brother, who was then Curate of Whiteehurch, Hampshire. In 183§ Bishop Hadfield came out to Sydney, at which place be was ordained a Deacon in the same year. After a short residence in Australia the late Rev, Mr Hadfield crossed over to New Zealand, arriving at the Bay of Islands od the 21st December, 1888. This was before the British Government was established in Aus tralia. In 1838 the colony’s future Primate left the north, and coming down to Port Nicholson immediately began his arduous labours among the Maoris. He very soon acquired their language and for many year the reverend gentleman’s life was one of hardship and responsibility, especially during the numerous disturbances which arose between the natives and settlers. On many occasions he was the means of quelling, by his influence and tact, what might have developed into serious war between the two races. He ministered at Waikanae and the surrounding district until the end of 1849, when he was created an Archdeacon, after which he still resided at Otaki for some years in charge of the Maori Mission. Subsequently Archdeacon Hadfield went to Wellington and in 1870 was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese. He was appointed to the Primacy in 1889, but age and the effects of his fatiguing work of the early days necessitated his release from the onerous duties attached to the office. He had been a Bishop for no less than 23 years, when, in October, 1893, his Lordship resigned the Bishopric and Primateship. He was in his 91st year at the time of his death. By the late Bishop’s request the interment was strictly private.—Advocate.