DEAN OF THE CHAPTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7237, 25 October 1901, Page 1

DEAN OF THE CHAPTER.

STATEMENT BY BISHOP JULIUS. The Cathedral Chapter hn,s reported to tho Diocesan Synod, now sitting, that in view of amendments which are desirable in the Cathedral Statute passed in 1894, lor the purpose of making 'the offices of the Dean ami of all members of the Chapter, terminable in case of incapacity resulting from age or permanent infirmity, the Chapter had advised "the Bishop to make no appoin'bmient to tho vacant office of Dean until this question had beero dealt with, by the Synod. Mr H. D. Andrews, whan the Synod met last evening, introduced a. Bill to amend the C.athedral Statute, and moved that it should be lead a second! time a,nd considered 1 in committee. It provides that the office and seat of the dean, canon, honorary canon or lay member of th© Uiapter siiall becom© vacant on his resignation in writing, on his absenting himself for six months from the meetings of the Chaipter without leave, on his ceasing to reside in the diocese, on his removal from office under 'the provisions of title D., Canon 11., Glaus© 8, or on his retirement from office. Provision is also made for setting up a commission to inquire whether any person has become unfit to continue in the offices naireed, through ■ age, mental or physical infirmity, or other cause not relating to doctrine or ritual or offences included under title D., Canon. 11. The commission, it- ig provided, shall consist of two clergy amd three laymen', and the Bishop shall act on the committee's report. Mr Andrews said that it was desirable that the alteration should b© made before the new Dean of the Chapter came into office. Mr G. M'lntyre said that the Bill ought to have contained' some means for filling a vacancy in an office such ais. that of Dean, instead of merely declaring how «. vacancy might occur. No information had been given, to the Syntod as ito what was being done in regard to appointdng a Deau. Bitihop Julius said that some time ago, owing "to the lamented dearth of the lat'a Dean, a vacancy had occurred in the office. The appointment rested with 'the Bishop, subject to the concurrence of the. Chapter and the Standing Committee. So far as he was aware, the person who held the office of Dean, of tike Christchurch Cathedray was the only- person inri the province ■who ctould continue to hold office, olthoug-h he had become utterly t unable to fulfil the dirties. No office ought to be held by a man. when he was unfit tio carry out Ms duties. The speaker, therefore, had been, unwilling to make amy appointment or ko ask the concurrence of the Chapter or the Standing Committee to such, an appointment until the Synod Ihftdi had an opportunity 'to declare its will in regard to the Bill. He, therefore, brought the matter before these bodies, which agreed that in that case, as in all others, it should be possible to remove a person from office if he' was manifestly unable to fulfil the duties of *he office. The Bill had beemi prepared and was ifchien before Hue House. Mr M'lmtyre had suggested throb that was tbe wrong time to bring the BilL forward, when there was a vacancy.-' He presumed, Mr MTntyre meant that they ought to have acted after th© vacancy had! been filled, amid a Dean iliad been, appointed. The speaker might then point out that their action would be worthless an regard tn> the then holder of the office. The proper time to discuss the matter -was when there was a vacancy. (Applause). The suggestion that they were waiting to find! a man from England haidi no foundation in fact. It was somewhat analagouis to- the statements in tfos newspapers recently, written by gentlemen with th© very best intentions and the most profound ignorance of tine facts. He had suffered not a little in consequence of statements hazarded without tho slightest possible ground. The position was that if tihey were going to make the alteration they must make it when there was a vacancy. Otherwise, that alteration would not come into effect until the office was again vacant. The Bill had been drawn up strongly in the interests of the person holding the office, as it suggested a course of procedure that would never be entered upon with any chance of success unless there was a clear and undoubted case- for such action. The Bill was read a second time, passed through committee, and tbe third reading was made an. order of 'the day for Monday.