BISHOP'S OPPONENTS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 90, 19 April 1929, Page 11

BISHOP'S OPPONENTS

' -ELECTED TO OFFICES

TROUBLED WA"IKA:TO DIOCESE

The parishioners of'St.'Peter's Cathedral parish, Hamilton, on Wednesday night elected a new chapter, of whose ton members eight are opposed to Bishop Cherrington and two are country members (reports tho Hamilton corrcspondont of the '.'Auckland Star"). They also elected as people's warden Mr. 13. V. Stace, who is an opponent of the bishop, and as parish, .representatives on Synod Messrs. I-T. M.- Hammond and "VV. H. Blakcway, also opponents of the bishop.

Dean G. B. Barnett presided at the meeting, which over GSO persons attended. ..- .

Regret was expressed by-Mr. D. Hay that the church finances showed a deficit. ' ..-.■■■■

After, Messrs. D. H;iy and E. V. Stace had been nominated for the position of people's warden,. Bean Barnett said that he was' iv a difficult position and asked that no consideration ■ be given to him. Ho was ..described when he was appointed clean two years ago as the best of a poor lob of clergymen. There was no use drawing red herrings across the track. ■ He wanted the parishioners to vote iit a big way and not consider personal quarrels. The eyes of the Church throughout tho diocese and New Zealand were on Hamilton that night. It did not matter two straws whether he stayed in Hamilton or went away. Both .candidates were sincero men and had faithfully served their church for years. He contended that Mr. Hay and others nominated on the ticket wero associated with the bishop in an endeavour to get rid of him (tho dean). Ho reminded the parishioners that their vote would have far-reaching consequences.

Before the votiS was talcen Bishop Chemngton entered the hall.' He was received, with applause and he took a seat on the platform.

Mr. Stacc received 303 votes to.MiHay's 145. ' . .. .

Other offices -having been ( lilJcd, Bishop Cherrington congratulated St. Peter's parish on being able to produce such a magnificent meeting. Tfio parish records, he sakl, showed that a(few years ago it was difficult to securo an attendance of 50, or sufficient nominees for the vestry. He would bo only too pleased to assist the new chapter in any way ho could. Personally he disclaimed any party business. He hated it and could work with anyone. Mr. Hammond (a member of the new chapter), had struck the right note, and the bishop hoped the people would support the chapter in its endeavour to put the parish finances on a satisfactory basis. Much had to bo dono. More clergy wero wanted, but before they could be appointed the deficit should be wiped off. Ho hoped cveryono in the room, whatever his ideas, would do his' best in supporting the chapter that had been elected.

The bishop pronounced tho benediction and the meeting closed.