NEW PRIMATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 February 1940, Page 6

NEW PRIMATE

GENERAL SYNOD ELECTION BISHOP WEST-WATSON CHOSEN. A NOTED SCHOLAR AND THEOLOGIAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NELSON. February 20. The Rt Rev Campbell West-Watson. Bishop of Christchurch, was elected Primate and Archbishop of the Province, of New Zealand at this, morning’s'sitting of the General Synod of the Church of England. He will succeed Archbishop Averill, who is retiring after holding the Primacy for 15 years. When the Synod assembled the senior clerical member. Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins (Auckland) moved that the bishops bo requested to nominae one of their number to fill the Primacy. The motion was seconded by the senior lay member, Mr H. D. Andrews (Christchurch). The bishops left the Synod hall for a separate room. There, in camera, by ballot, they nominated Bishop WestWatson. At the same time the lay members and clergy sat as separate houses to which the nomination was submitted. The respective orders voted by ballot and on the result being notified to the Archbishop the Synod reassembled and the result of the election was announced.

Bishop Cherrington, on behalf of the bishops, tendered hearty congratulations and good wishes to the new archbishop. He promised their earnest prayers that the Primacy might be blessed in every way. Archdeacon Hawkins, on behalf of the clergy, conveyed sincere congratulations to the Primate-elect. He commented that the difficulty in the position in Now Zealand was that, the Church had no general officer commanding with the authority of such an officer. The Primate held the highest office, and if more authority attached to it more unity of expression might result, and the Primate’s influence be greater. Mr Andrews said it was the wish of the laity that the new archbishop would enjoy his high office for a long period, that God would give him strength to fill the office worthily and well, with wisdom, faithfulness, and impartiality. In reply, the archbishop-elect said that it had always been his fortune to follow men who had filled their positions with distinction. As dean he had followed the present Archbishop of Sydney. Tn Christchurch he had following Archbishop Julius. Now he was following Archbishop Averill. After enjoying the retiring archbishop’s fellowship, fatherly help, and example, he hoped he had some idea of what a Primate in the colonies ought to be. He thanked the speakers for their congratulations and hoped that the goodwill of all sections would result in the advancement of the Church.

The Rl Rev Dr Campbell WestWatson. Bishop of Christchurch since March. 192(1. is a noted scholar and theologian, and during his term in the Diocese of Christchurch, he has closely identified himself with every aspect of the work of the church, especially social service. He was born at Birkenhead, England, in 1877. and was educated at Birkenhead School and Emmanuel College. Cambridge, where ho graduated B.A. in 1899 with first-class honours in the classical tripos. Ho gained first-class honours in the theological tripos in 1901, and won several prizes and scholarships, and in 1903 ho took his M.A. degree. He was lecturer at Ridley Hall. Cambridge in 1902 and 1903. He was ordained deacon in 1903 and priest in the following year. He was made a Follow of Emmanuel College and was a lecturer from 1903 to 1909. chaplain from 1903 to 1907. and dean from 1907 to 1909. In 1910 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. A temporary chaplain to the forces’ll) 1918 and 1919. he became an honorary chaplain in the following year.