The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1893.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 242, 12 October 1893, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1893.

_?o_* tb.9 caum that lacks at.i»tancs, For Ul3 vr-onj that iio-ds reslstmco, lor tho faturo in tho distanco, Aoltho good that to csv ao.

As we have already announced, the Rev. Mr FitaGerald has been ap. pointed to St. Matthew's Parish, and will in a short time be duly instituted. We understand the appointment is not regarded with feelings of unmixed satisfaction by some of the clergy of the diocese, who consider their claims to promotion have been ignored. As a rule, we do not feel called upon to interpose in the domestic affairs of a religious body, but on public grounds we think the singular action taken by the Board of Nominators demands special notice. We are not acquainted with Mr FitzGerald, and indeed until the last week or two were not aware of his existence. Everything we have heard with regard to his character and abilities is distinctly in his favour. But at the same time we fully concur in the op.nion of those who assert that an injustice is done in passing over a number of hard working local clergy, and in bestowing one of tbe chief preferments m the diocese upon a young and inexperienced stranger.

j The transaction is a truly remarkable | one, and vividly illustrates the hap- ! hazard manner in which Anglicsx* pastors are appointed in this colony. In many respects St. M?tthew's is the most important parish under Bishop Cowie's jurisdiction*. It comprises within its boundaries a very large 1 population, and in the opinion of ' many authorities, the church, from its central position, is eminently fitted to be the cathedral of the diocese. It is only natural that the local clergy should look upon such a cure as a valuable piece of preferment, and consider they have a special claim to be remembered when a vacancy occurs. Clergymen who have already done good work in the diocese have a right to expect that the Board of Nominators will keep their interests in view, and will not, without good and sufficient reason, look for nominees among outsiders.

What are the facts of the case as regards St. Matthew's ? Twice within the last three years the cure has been vacant. Ou each occasion the choice of the nominators has fallen on a comparatively unknown man. In the first instance, a young clergyman from England was appointed who bad just taken a run out to the colony for the benefit of his health. It was not pretended that he had any special fitness for the

post, but there was the charm of novelty about him, and after being in temporary charge for a few months the incumbency was allowed to driftinto his hands. A very limited colonial career sufficed for him. He shook the dust off his feet and departed.

The nominators do not seem to have gained wisdom by experience. Their choice this time has fallen on the Ecv. Mr FitzGerald, a son of the Audi-tor-General. We are always glad to chronicle the successes of our colonial youth, and if Mr fitzGerald had duly won his spurs we should welcome his promotion. There are, however, two distinct objections to his appointment. In the first place, he is a young and inexperienced man. It is only three years since he was admitted to full orders by the Bishop of Melbourne. He has never, we believe, been in sole charge of a parish. He was a curate in. the Melbourne diocese, and a few months ago returned to this colony. Since that time he has been officiating as locum tenens at St. Michael's, Christchurch. The reverend gentleman was a few days in Auckland en route, and officiated once or twice at St. Mary's, Parnell. If we are correctly informed, the parochial nominators have no personal acquaintance with him, and to St. Matthew's people he is an utter stranger, If no other ground of objection existed, there is an obvious impropriety in placing so young a man in charge of the most important parish in the diocese.

But there is a still stronger ground of complaint. It is obvious that in making a selection the Board of Nominators should be guided by the principle of recognising the services of the diocesan clergy. In Auckland this important consideration is constantly overlooked. There are very few cases on record where a clergyman who has spent years in the country districts has been rewarded with a town living. For many years past, so far as we remember, with the exception of All Saints', Ponsonby, there ris no instance on record where a local clergyman has been appointed to one of the principal churches either in the city or suburbs. During that time several vacancies have occurred. They have usually been filled by clerics imported from England. We do not mean to say that the authorities of the Anglican Church should be shut up in every instance to a choice of a local man. In the case of an important cure like St. Matthew's, for example, there would be some excuse for looking afield if the object was to secure some man of exceptional ability. But to bring a mere clerical fledgling into the diocese and promote him over the heads of older and deserving men, is opposed to every principle of justice and equity.

A glance at the clergy list will convince anyone that there are several local men, any one of whom would have made an excellent pastor for St. Matthew's. The truth is that the system of selecting a clergyman by means of a Board of Nominators has completely broken down in this diocese. The scheme looks well enough on paper, but in practice, whatever the cause, it proves unworkable. It is an utter failure so far as securing the most suitable men for parishes is concerned. In theory both the diocese and the vacant parish are represented on the Board, but in practice long and faithful service locally is no passport to promotion.