RESIGNATION OF ARCHDEACON GOVETT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 9, 12 January 1903, Page 2

RESIGNATION OF ARCHDEACON GOVETT.

-The meat important event in rtligious circles duri g the past week is, undoubtedly, tha resignation of the Venerable Archdeacon Govjttof thespiiitual oversight of tho Archdeaconry tf Taranaki. Although it has bsen known that the Archdeacon has oeen in illhealth, and that the responsibilities of tha office were, at his great age, 34 year 3, a heavy burden for him tj carry, his friends all hoped he would be able to hold it to the end and die in harness, The ArchdeacoD, however, with that kind consideration for the welfare of others, which lus always characterised him ia his [ üblic life, felt the needs of the Church should corns first, and three years ago decided to resign, with the view of hiving a younger and mjre activemanappointed. He was, however, persuaded to retain office till now, but | has at last insisted on carrying out his ' intention, and retired from the active jduties of the office. No doubt the .opportunity ef securing so able a nun las Canon Cole, who has bienappointed jto succeed him as Archdeacon, greatly j it ftuenced his decision, as he ever made 'the welfare of tbe archdeaconry his first thought. Archdeacan Govett, j who had been ordained in Wellington, . was appointed to the charge of the parish of Ne»v Plymouth in 1848 on ' the death of his intimate friend, the Rsv. W. Bolland, the first minister in oharge, and was, on the creation of the archdeaconry of Taranaki in 1859, appointed Archdeacon, but remaining vicar of tbe parish nntil May Ist, 1898, when he resigned, and the Rsv. F. G. Evans was appointed vicar. Archdeacon Qovett has thus completed an active ministry, ns Vicar of St. Mary's, of 50 yiars, txac'ly the same time as his father bad done, and his filled the poiition of Arcbd mcon for nearly 44 years. Archdeacon Govett went through tho whole period of the war and was a great comfort to many during those troublesome times In addition ho was appointed by the Imperial Government r.s chaplain to Her M»j-sty's forces, the salary from which' position he devot6d to an endowment fund for St. Mary's Church. During bis ministry of St. Mary's Church the building has been enlarged i hrea times. The number of churches in the distric' hive increased from two to fifteen, and the clergy from one to nine. Throughout his long period as Archdeacon he adopted a very friondly demeanour towards all other branches of the Christian Church, and when united survicae were held joined cordiilly with thministers of other denominations, the last occasion being the united s«rvicu in connection with the coronation of King E'lward VII. He will take with him in his retirement the good wishes of the ministers and pe-plo of all denomination?, and everyone will hop 9 that he will loog be spa- ed to enjoy his well etrued teso and that the evening of his life may be free from every care and anxiety.

AROHDEA.OON COLE. D.DArchdeacon Cole, the newiy appainted Archdeacon, is a scholar and a D.D. ef Cambridge University, and was born in England, where' he was ordained, and for some years acted as curate in the North of England. Ho has also filled several panning in both Canada and tb« United State". For seven years he filled the position of Canon of Bermuda Gath«dral, He

bag been a great; traveller, having visited the Holy Land, Egyp 1 , a'd mrny othvr par s of ths ancient and moiara world. Archdeacon Oola ia in the prime of life, and is an exceedingly stalwart, well se 1 ; up ra&fl, wih plenty of phys'cal atreng'h and energy, wi h a r pa experience of <hurch work under the most varied conditions. He fi led tha pulpit of Sb. Mary's Church a faw Sundiy's ago, aad mads a most favourable imprecision on b : s bearers. He is [a manied man, hi-< wife beir.g a | Oanudian, and his three children. Ho arrives in N«w Plymou'h cu Weduesday next, and will take 'euipira y charge of the Stratford parish until (ueh tim c a as matters are arrang4<i here, and the Rev W. D. Bayes, suj cessor is app iu'ed After that he will rtside principd'y in N«w P ymouth, f.ut we uoderstand he proposes to take a very active oversight ef the various paiishes in the Archdeaconry, and will visit them regularly, ' Referring to the changes in St. Mary's on Sunday evening, the Rev F. G, Evans alluded to the anxiety of church peop'e to make Taranttki a separate Diocese.