CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20385, 17 April 1928, Page 10

CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

SUSPENSION OF CANON HARVIE. A RESOLUTION OF PROTEST. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 16. Much concern is felt by the parishioners of the New Plymouth part of the Waikato Diocese over Bishop Cherrington's suspension of the Rev. F. T. Harvie as canon of the cathedral, and- at a largelyattended meeting of the churchmen tonight considerable feeling was shown. The following motion was carried: — " That this meeting of the laity of New Plymouth, having learnt with deep con cern of the bishop's action in suspending the Rev. P. T. Harvie, late vicar of St. Mary's, New Plymouth, from the exercise'of clerical duties within the Diocese of Waikato. desires to ascertain from his Lordship wherein Mr Harvie has erred, as the confidence reposed in Mr Harvie through his vicariate locally renders impossible the view that such suspension is merited." .' Archdeacon Evans, who supported the action of the bishop, intimated his intention of resigning his position as a result of the passing of the resolution. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. VICAR OF CLAUDELANDS DISMISSED. OFFER OF PROMOTION REFUSED. (Special to Daily Timee.) AUCKLAND, April 16. The latest development in connection with Church of England affairs in Hamilton has been the receipt of a notice by the Rev. J. Rich, domestic chaplain and curate at Claudelands, from Bishop Cherrington that his services as domestic chaplain would not be required after April 30, telegraphß the New Zealand Herald's Hamilton correspondent. Mr Rich, who came from Whangarei, was appointed to two positions early this year. Since he has been in the parish he has done excellent work in Claudelands and in out-stations. The Boy Scout movement was dormant in Hamilton for years. Mr Rich immediately eet to work to organise a troop, and a troop of 40 boys has been enrolled and equipped with uniforms. Weekly parades are held, and the boys went into camp at Easter. The bishop desired to promote Mr Rich to the position of viear of Putaruru. Mr Rich did not desire the appointment, pointing out that he had agreed to work in Hamilton for a year. Opposition to the bishop's wishes resulted in his dismissal ai« domestic chaplain _ and the cutting off of a proportion of his stipend. Steps are being taken by the Claudelands Church Committee to devise a scheme by means of which it is hoped that Mr Rich's services will be retained at an adequate stipend. No further developments have occurred in connection with the suspension by the bishop of the Rev. F. T. Harvie as canon of St. Peter's Cathedral and diocesan chaplain, with the consequent loss of the major portion of his salary. It is understood that representations have been made to Archbishop Averill, and that the matter will be considered at the meeting of the General Synod wliich Will be held in Wellington this- week. The resignation of the Rev. Frank Harty, who has been vicar of Frankton for eight years, has been due to differences that have arisen between Mr Harty and Bishop Cherrington. Mr Harty intends to leave early next month for England, where he hopes to obtain employment as a clergyman. Evidence of the feeling that exists, in Hamilton regarding the administration of Church of England affairs ta&9 be gauged from the fact that a petition, signed by about 100 churchwomen, has been addressed to Archbishop Avcrill expressing alarm at the present state of alTairs.