NEW CATHEDRAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 June 1938, Page 7

NEW CATHEDRAL

IMPORTANCE IN NATIONAL LIFE

BIG CENTENNIAL PROJECT IN WELLINGTON.

CITIZENS' COMMITTEE FORMED.

A largely attended and representative meeting of men was held in the Parish Hall last night for the purpose of encouraging interest in the Wellington Diocesan Centenary campaign in connection with the erection of a new cathedral in Wellington. The. principal speakers, who were welcomed by the chairman, the Rev E. J. Rich, were the Rt Rev H. St Barbe Holland. Bishop of Wellington, Sir Michael Myers and Sir James Grose.

The Bishop outlined in his introductory remarks the reason for his decision to obtain such a commanding site for the cathedral in the heart of the national life of the Dominion, the erection of which would be a lasting memorial to the fact that New Zealand had ' attained to nationhood and that God was vital to the national life of the Dominion.

Sir Michael Myers, in a striking address, gave the reasons why he, who was not a member of the Church of England, felt impelled to give himself wholeheartedly to the project for the erection of a worthy cathedral. He spoke of his visits abroad. He had found that wherever he went the cathedrals were centres of first interest. The character and history of the British.race were in fact enshrined in those buildings. • They were not solely Church of England edifices but' in a real sense were the possession of the Empire. New Zealand was a young country but- already traditions were being formed and there was desperate need for a great cathedral at the heart of New Zealand where those traditions could centre and the character of our citizens be read. That was why so many members of every denomination were actively associating themselves with the cathedral scheme. It was something vital to New Zealand’s life. The cathedral should overshadow everything else in the capital city, a silent and moulding influence in the national life. At present there was no place suitable for great national services. ■

Sir James Grose, speaking in support of the project, said that the site had been secured and paid for. As Wellington would shortly be 100 years old he considered it opportune for the erection of a cathedral in that centre. Other centennial projects were transitory and intended to be so, whereas a worthy cathedral would form a lasting memorial.

Those present constituted themselves a general citizens’ committee, consisting of the executive, together ’ with Messrs W. G. Baird, H. Beetham, C. J. Bennett, W. R. Birch, P. J. Borthwick, J. H. Cunningham, F. H. Dunderdale, H. A. R. Dunderdale, S. R. Gawith, F. R. Garland. E. Hale, G. Hyde, N. H. James, A. O. Jones, H. M. A. Major, R. E. Maunsell, J. L. Murray, G. J. Norris, W. Penistone, G. H. Perry, B. V. Skeet, A. W. Sealey, W. E. Vowell, P. R. Welch and A. C. Williams. The following were elected an executive committee: Messrs T. Jordan (chairman), W. I. Armstrong, T. R. Barrel - , H. M. Boddington, H. F. Coom, P. Fagan, Dr Archer Hosking, P. G. Ramsay, C. T. Richardson, G. W. Sellar, S. W. Smith and the Rev E. J. Rich.

A public meeting to launch the campaign will be held in Masterton on Monday, August 1.