ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 14

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH

VICAR NOT APPOINTED REASON FOR THE DELAY The long delay of nearly a year in appointing a successor to the late Canon C. H, Grant Cowen as vicar of St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, is explained by Archbishop Averill, in a statement published in the latest issue of the Church Gazette, as being due to conflicting views on the suitability of the vicarage in Lower Vincent Street as a homo for the incoming vicar. The archbishop writes:—"The reason why a permanent vicar has not been appointed to St. Matthew's parish is because there exists a difference of opinion between the diocesan nominators and the parochial representatives on the Nomination Board, backed by a resolution of the parish meeting. An appointment of a suitable vicar was actually made, hut he foit that he could not. ask his wife and family to live in the present St. Matthew's vicarage. The Nomination Board and Standing Committee, supported by a report.from the Archdeacon of Auckland, are of the opinion that the vicar should be allowed to reside elsewhere than in the present vicarage, which they do not consider to be suitablo for tho purpose. "As tho diocesan regulations require that a 'suitable vicarage' shall be provided before the appointment of a vicar can be made, the Nomination Board is now awaiting a change of front on the part of tho parish with regard to the residence of the vicar." For some time after Canon Grant Cowcn's death tho parish was in the temporary charge of tho Rev. J. de B. Galwcy, of Christehurch. The present acting-vicar is tho Rev. A. J. Beck.