A RECTOR RETURNS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1928, Page 2

A RECTOR RETURNS.

MR HUTCHINSON’S WELCOME.

The Rev. Franklin Isaac Hutchinson. who vanished from his parish in duly, arrived hack in Doddinghurst a few weeks ago. He landed I rum Canada at Liverpool on a Saturday morning and hooked straight through from London, going on to Liverpool street, where lie caught a Rom lord train.

Mr Hutchinson alighted before, he reached Brentwood and finished his journey by motor ear. He drove up to the shop of one of the elnireh-ward-ens, Mr J. Beardwcll, in -a poworiul saloon ear. There was a crowd about th" house as if waiting in expectation, and the identity of Mr Hutchinson could he hidden no longer.

“AYliv. it is the rector!” one man exclaimed. He rushed with the news to a neighbouring inn. and very soon the ear was surrounded by villagers, some of whom tried to raise a cheer. Mr Hutchinson hurried into a shop, shook hands with the churchwardens, and remained in conversation with them for some time.

Meanwhile a crowd gathered round tho little shop, and many eves peered tlirough an opening in the curtain to catch a sight of tlie rector standing in tlie candle light. Later Miss Thiokctt. the rector’s secretary, drove up In a ear, which apparently was the one used bv the rector.

After several requests Air Hutchinson consented to make a brief statement. “All I have to say is this,” he said. “F have simply come as an. act of courtesy to call upon tho wardens of the parish church on my arrival hack in England. T have had a letter from my bishop, received aboard the boat, and the bishop is making an appointment for me to see him.

Asked whether it was his intention to attempt to make any statement at the church to-morrow, he replied. “No, I am leaving hero to-night. That is all T have to say.” Rome time afterwards ho drove away, presumably to London.

There was a dramatic scene when AFr Hutchinson arrived at Liveriiool. AVhen he was being interviewed in the third class dining saloon a man, said to he the rector’s Faithful butler.

Herbert .Straw, rushed to Afr Hutchinson and kissed him. Air Hutchinson said: “AFy Mishop knows the whole position, and there is no mystery, except that which has

been created by others. “Why did .1 go away so hurriedly?” Speaking with some »heat, he replied: “J am a British citizen, with -full liberty to g<> away when I like, where I like, and how I like.”

Asked whether it was true that lie was involved with moneylenders when he left England, Air Hutchinson said his affairs were being dealt with by his legal adviser. “What exeatlv my position is I do not know. Aly linancial affairs were certainly not my reason for leaving Doddinghurst. “1) had a line that a bankruptcy petition had been entered against me. but I have not the. remotest idea who has entered it. Tt must lie that it has been done before they heard from niy lawyers.

“I j hall find out what it is all about and I have no doubt that after consultation with my lawyers it will lie withdrawn. I have been away on holiday the first 1 have had since I was ordained II years ago. 1 went away a physical wreck, and F come hack a new mail. AVhat- 1 desire above all things is to be known as a- man among illy fellow-men. People to too apt to look upon a clergyman as neither a man nor a woman, but as something between’ them.

“It is my keen desire, therefore, to get into vital contact with men’s lives their interests, difficulties, and temptations, so to Canada I went, and there on the prairie I worked and associated with hardy toilers and got down to the root of things.”