THE VACANT DEANERY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11103, 23 October 1901, Page 6

THE VACANT DEANERY.

It would be a relief to the public mind, we think; if during the .present session of the Diocesan Synod some definite action were taken towards filling up tine Deanery of Christchurch, or at rate some authoritative, statement were made as to the reasons for leaving it vacant. Independently of the fact that there is an obvious anomaly in keeping up a Cathedral, and a Cathedral Chapter, without their natural head, the Dean, there is a strong feeling that Carfon Harper, who has for some years •acted as Sub-Dean, is being unfairly treated in this matter. Whether there was ever any definite agreement that lie should succeed to tbte office of Dean when it became vacant, we cannot say, but it was generally expected that the appointment would be given to him, and it is admitted on all hands that in every way he is qualified to adorn the .position. It has been stated the difficulty is of a financial nature —that some old debt has to be paid off, and that until this lias been done the Cathedral cannot afford tlite salary of a Dean, which is fixed by the Church Property Trust Act of 1879 at a minimum of £500 a year. While we admit that it is of the highest importance to pay one's debts, and that this is a duty especially incumbent on any ecclesiastical body, we think the responsible authorities ought to consider first of all whether the legal difficulty is insuperable, and secondly, if so, whether some better means of raising the money or making the necessary saving could not be devised. It- would certainly be regarded as a great reproach upon the Church if it were proved that she treated her most tried and able servants wit!h anything like injustice, and looking at the question from a purely financial point of view it is easy to imagine 'that the fact of leaving tihe appointment of Dean vacant, especially under circumstances which are disapproved by a large number of Ohurph people, may lead to the loss of more thlan the stipend provided by the Act. Nor is the subject altogether without its bearing on the question of the supply of clergy referred to by the Bishop. No doubt a man would be false to his calling if he went into the Church impelled simply by a hope of preferment , . On the other hand, tihe service may be made attractive to men of high, character and attainments, or the reverse, and we can imagine nothing more likely to deter really suitable- candidates from offering theanselves.than an act of injustice towards one, of the mosfc honoured members of the profession, especially one wiho has never shown the slightest signs of self*seeking in all that he has done. r