CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1922, Page 7

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

TARANAKI ARCHDEACONRY BOARD. WELCOME TO THE BISHOP. The Taran'aki Archdeaconry Board jpsumed its sitting yesterday morning, Dr. A. W. Averill (Bishop of Auckland) presiding. In addition to those present on the previous evening there were present: Waitara parish, Messrs. C. R. Stead and R. Greenwood; Oka to parish, Mr. G. Gibson. This made the number present 22 out of a roll of 24. A welcome to the ibishop was extended on behalf of the laity by Mr. W. H. Skinner as the senior active lay worker in the archdeaconry. It was- pleasing to see the bishop looking so well, despite the strenuous work demanded of him in being at, the head of a diocese extending, from the North Cape to Rahotu. The virile energy displayed by him was disarming the desire that had been expressed for a bishop for Taranaki. Now with the development of the country, is was much simpler to get about the district. All were pleased to have the bishop among them, and he was sure the bishop was pleased to be with them too. The speaker had always maintained that the needs of the backblocks were greater than the needs of a bishop for Taranaki. All strength should be put into the backiblocks work. In concluding, ,Mr. Skinner hoped that the bishop would long remain at the head of the diocese.

In replying to the welcome, the bishop said he was thankful to God that lie had been blessed with vigorous health, which was necessary to enable him to cover the whole diocese. It seemed to him that it would not be very long before access lietmeen Auckland and Taranaki would be improved, and he personally looked forward to the time when lie. would come to Taranaki via Te Kuiti. He could thus start his work in the diocese at Awakino instead of, as at present, having to retrace his tracks. Then he could go back via Whangamomona, thus completing “ a nice little holiday trip.” Talking of the. proposal to form a Taranaki bishopric, Dr. Avedill said he had been Bishop of the Auckland diocese for nine years, and had spent a good proportion of his time in the Taranaki Archdeaconry. He Would therefore be sorry indeed to be cut off from this district, as he now knew it very well, and had learned also to know and love the people. TRUST BOARD’S REPORT. The annual report of the Taranaki Church of England Trust Board was presented by Mr. W. H. Skinner (chairman). TTiie stated that since the last meeting of the council the following church sites and buildings had been placed under the control of the board:— Purangi, area two roods, with church thereon valued at £250. This building was erected by the Maoris of Purangi whilst the Rev. F. A. Bennett was in charge of the Taranaki Maori Mission. Tarata, one rood, valued at £5, no build ings. Kiaimjata, one irood, valued at £lO. donated by Air. < »’eo. Mack ie, and church valued at £l5OO. This compact and handsome concrete building, complete in every detail, was erected by Mr. A. E. Burwell of Kaimata., as a memorial to his late wife, a devoted church and social worker in . the Inglewood parish. Tariki, area 12<3 perches, on which stands St. Phillip’s Church (Inglewood parish), the whole valued at £350. Whangamomona, church site in this village, area 20.2 perches, price paid £75. The increase made in 1920 to the annual grants of parishes, other than St. Mary’s New Plymouth, within the Archdeaconry, has been maintained. There does not appear, however, any chance of still further increasing such help in the near future. On March 31 last the capital of the GovettBrowri .Memorial fund stood at £3750, of which £250 had been added during the year. The substantial addition was made mainly by the sale of produce held at Uruti, and the efforts of the backblocks guild of St. Mary’s and Te Henui, New Plymouth. At the last general synod authority was given to the various trustees hold; ing money raised for the Taranaki Bishopric Endowment Fund to convey such, together with all deed’s connected with the same, to the trust board. This was done for the purpose of simplifying the management, there being three different sets of trustees holding money Subscribed to the bishopric fund. The approximate sum now standing to the credit of thia fund is £1325. “With regard to the personnel of the board,” continued the report, “a severe loss has befallen it during the year in the death of Air. S. Percy Smith, who had been a. member since April 1, 1903, and its chairman from August, 1016, to Janujary, 1922. Mr. Smith’s unfailingcourtesy and charm of manner made it a real pleasure to be associated with him in the management of the tnust, and his strict probity, ripe experience, and sound judgment, has been a decided asset in the board’s administijatlio'.n. It will be difficult indeed to replace one of such outstanding qualities as our late chairman.” After discussion the report was adopted, the bishop thanking Air. Skinner for the work lie had done, and remarking upon the 'great interest taken by the laity in the interest of the church. This was one of the features of New Zealand Church life that had agreeably surprised him on coming to this country from England. INTEREST IN MISSIONS. In accordance with notice of motion, Archdeacon ‘Evans moved: “That in the opinion of this board it is highly desirable that strong missionary committees should be appointed in each parish, so that interest in the mission of the church may be increased and the amount of contributions towards the funds greatly augmented.” Speaking in support of his motion, the Archdeacon said Synod had undertaken to provide a certain amount of money for the missionary board, and each parish had been anked to provide a certain amount. It was, therefore, necessary to have a. strong organisation to bring missionary work before the people, arouse interest, and solicit contributions. He himself would be happy to go to every parish and hold a mis ! sionary Sunday in order to create in--1 tcrest and help to raise contributions. I A. lengthy discussion followed after I v> hich Mr. S. W. Shaw moved that a mis ’ sione.ry committee of the Archdeaconry be met up. this to consist of the clergy of the Archdeaconry. This was carried. .'nether motion was moved by Arch. deacon Evana, that a missionary com-

mittee be also set up in each parish. This was also carried. WORK AMONG THE MAORIS. The neglect of religious work amongst the Maoris of the West Coast was emphasised by Mr. W. J. Gray, who hoped that something would be done under the present system of Maori missionaries. '[’he unsatisfactory position existing at Waitara was explained 'by the Rev. G. H. Gavin, where there seemed to be too much of; the “taihoa” policy. The bishop said he hoped to have two young men stationed, at Waitara to cover the work among the Maoris. in the district. He could assure them that on his return to Auckland he would do his best to have the present state of affairs rectified. THE BOARD CONCLUDES. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the bishop for presiding. Similar votes were accorded to the Press and to the vicar and churchwardens of St. Mary’s for the use of the hall. An expression of thanks was also made to Archdeacon Evans for his hospitality. The proceedings concluded with the pronouncing of the benediction by the Bishop.