Archbishop Likes Thrillers As Form Of Relaxation

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23425, 2 December 1950, Page 8

Archbishop Likes Thrillers As Form Of Relaxation

AUCKLAND. Dec. 1. —A carry over from his student and teacher days provides Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, the 63-year-old Archbishop of Canterbury, with the only hobby he has time for—reading. He now has little time to read just what he wans to, but he does occasionally find time for an occasional detective story. He read “a couple of detective books” on his voyage in the Monowai from Sydney to Auckland last week-end. “I read detective stories when I want relaxation,” said Dr. Fisher. “Although they are not first-class literature they can be interesting and it helps develop one’s ability to distinguish between good and bad detective stories, between first-rate and sincere things on the one hand and second-rate and shoddy things on the other.”

At Lambeth in London, Dr. Fisher freouenlty works until 10 p.m. and for “before bedtime” reading must scan files and reports which are part of his work _as archbishop. He has never had time to take a detailed interest in gardening and his wife often “rags” him for not knowing one flower from another.

He has never needed to learn to drive a motor-car, but Mrs. Fisher is a keen motorist.

Dr. Fisher's crowded Auckland programme today includes a visit to the Queen Victoria Maori Girls' College this afternoon and a party for the Auckland clercy this evening.—P.A.