AUCKLAND SAILORS' HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 199, 20 August 1904, Page 3

AUCKLAND SAILORS' HOME.

RESIGNATION OF BISHOP NELIGAN. ! The Council of the Auekl_ind*,Sailors' Home held a meeting last night, those present being Mr Peak (chairman), Messrs f. Gresharu, A. Higgins, E. H. Potter, J. K. Kneeu, T. Giles, and P. J. Nerheny. A letter from the president (Bishop Neligan) tendering his resignation read as follows:—"I have to ask be good enough to accept my resignation of the office of president of the Auckland Sailors' Home, to which the members of the association, in their kindness, elected mc on June -0. I find myself unable to wholly sympathise with the policy of the Council, as indicated in the resolution of July S, concerning—as I conceive—the more efficient prosecution of portion of the objects for which the Auckland Sailors' Home was erected. Did I feel that I could have co-operated with the Council in their administration of the trust under- which they hold office, with, as I proper regard to the interpretations of the trust, T should have been glad thus to co-operate. The work of the Council will be made less arduous if they have a president who can be more wholly in sympathy with their policy than I 'feel I can be." Mr Peak stated that all regretted very much that the Bishop had seen fit to tender his resignation. He thought it would be wiser for the Council not to discuss the letter then, but to pass a resolution asking the Bishop to reconsider hi.s resignation. It was generally thought that the presidency of the institution should fall to ttie* lot of the Anglican Bishop of tbe Auckland Diocese. The articles provided for the late Bishop Cowie. who had done such good work in the institution, that he should retain the presidency, and after him the new Bishop should fill the position. Mr Pbak asked that some member would move a resolution requesting the Bishop to reconsider the course he had taken, and that all members be unanimous on the subject. Mr Gresharu said he agreed with the previous speaker in that it would be showing fit respect to the Bishop. He then moved, '"That the Council views with regret the resignation of the president (Bishop Neligan). Such resignation having apparently been the result of a romewhat hasty decision, and in view of such a possibility the Council expresses the hope that the Bishop will reconsider his de to rmi nation," He also moved another clause, "That a copy of the resolution be sent to the Bishop, and a reply as-ked for within a certain date in order that a special meeting be convened to appoint, a successor if a favourable reply was not received." He said the Bishop stated that the main object of the institution was to look after the spiritual welfare of the inmates, but the temporal welfare was mentioned first in the articles of association. Mr Gresbam afterwards agreed to withdraw the second clause moved. Mr Kneen could not agree with the remarks of the chairman, nor could he support the motion. Further, he did not- approve of asking the Bishop to reconsider his resignation. Mr Nerheny thought the Bishop should have resigned at the annual meeting, and not allowed himself to be re-elected when he had ascertained the views of the Council. The Council was made up of competent men who were quite able to carry on business. Mr Giles supported the motion, and suggested that there should be included an assurance that the Bishop had ever had the entire confidence of the Council. The motion, after some considerable discussion, was amended as follows: — "That the Council views with regret the resignation of the President (Bishop Neligan). and is of opinion that His Lordship must be labouring under some misapprehension; the Council desires to assure His Lordship that he has the complete confidence of the members, and desires to express the hope that His Lordship may see fit to re-consider his determination." In respect to the resignation Messrs Peak and Nerheny were deputed to wait on the president.