TARANAKI ARCHDEACONRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1921, Page 5

TARANAKI ARCHDEACONRY.

MEETING OF CONFERENCE. WELCOME TO THE BISHOP. A conference of the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board was held in St. Mary’s schoolroom, New Plymouth, last night,, the Bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. Dr. A. W. Averill, presiding. Delegates present were Archdeacon F. G. Evans, Revs. F. G. Harvie, G. A. Young, G. T. Beale, Messrs. E. W. M. Lysons, E. B. Kingdom S. W. Shaw, F. Magnusson, J. A. Meyer, and G. W. Childerstone (New Plymouth); Rev. R. J. Stanton, Messrs. E. Tieling and G. S. Giddy (Inglewood); Rev. C. W. Howard (Stratford); Mr. E. Marfell (Toko); Revs. G. H. Gavin, H. W. Kaipo, Mr. H. G. Sell (Waitara); Mr. J. M. Butt (Uruti); Rev. T. H. C. , Partridge (Taranaki Home Mission); Rev. H. A. Coleman (Okato); and Mr. W. N. Aekland (Lepperton). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. F. H. Brown (Inglewood), E. C. Middleton (Stratford), W. H. Skinner (New Plymouth), W. Good (Whangamomona), and J. Gibson (Okato). In opening proceedings the chairman remarked that the delegates not meeting this year as a duly constituted, board, because last year the Diocesan Synod, rightly or wrongly, passed a statute, in his absence, regarding the archdeaconry boards, by which they ceased, to exist. The members, however, could meet in conference, and personally, he always found such meetings very helpful. He was glad to have the opportunity of meeting what was practically the archdeaconry board, and to hear the opinions of the laity. His Lordship made reference to the several changes which had taken place in the clergy of the archdeaconry since he had last presided at a meeting, and he extended a welcome to new members. Mr. Harvie was appointed secretary to the conference. In extending a welcome to the Bishop Mr. J. M. Butt said their thoughts and best wishes were with His Lordship while absent in England. They could not have desired to retain him when the call came for special duty at the Lambeth Conference, but they were glad to welcome him back. As a representative of the northern district. he desired to say how small handfuls of church people, scattered in various parts of the district, prized a visit from the Bishop. Mr. Butt concluded by moving a resolution expressing the con-, Terence’s pleasure at His Lordship’s return after the Lambeth Conference, and praying that he might long be spared in health and strength to preside over the ; conferences. The motion was seconded by Mr. E. Marfell, and carried by hearty acclamation. Replying, the Bishop referred to the esteem in which Messrs. Butt and Marfell were held throughout the archdeaconry. Regarding the conference in England, he said he thought the decisions come to od that occasion marked an era in the church history. One thing remarkable was that although there were 252 Bishops present representing all shades of opinion, they were entirely unanimous on the vital questions of their religion. He thought it was a most valuable thing for a representative of the c-urcn in this distant outpost of the Empire to go Home occasionally and become acquainted with the wider sphere of the church and the Empire. The time had been well spent, but it was no holiday; it was a serious occasion, and one on which he would look with thankfulness.

Referring to his visit to the archdea- . conry, the Bishop said he always had pleasant recollections of Taranaki, and nothing gave him more pleasure than to visit the outlying portions of the districts. He assured them that he took a real interest in the back-blocks settlers. an<l he hoped that when his term of office came to an end he would at least have one thing to his credit, namely that he had not overlooked the importance of the home mission districts. He had had a very interesting three weeks in Taranaki, and he thought there were great prospects before their work in the province. At the conclusion of the session the members were the guests of Mrs. Harvie. To-day a. Holy Communion service will be held at 8 a.m., and afterwards the delegates will be the guests of the Ven. Archdeacon Evans. The second session of the conference comnaeacas at 10-15