HUNT FOR A CLERGYMAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1924, Page 1

HUNT FOR A CLERGYMAN.

LONDON, July A missing clcrnyimui, :i bride and bridegroom waiting tit the altar fur two hours, a frantic scouring of tlic countryside in motor-cars lor a clergynian, the arrival of a rescuing curate in a lounge suit, and cheers hv the waiting crowd —these were leatures ol ti marriage ceremony yesterday at the villti.ee of Little Heath, near Potter’s liar, .Middlesex.

The couple who went through this trying experience were Alms I'.lsic Helen Clark and Mr William Hubert I’oper, both of Potter’s liar. They should have been married at two o’clock, hut itwinn to the delay the ceremony <1 HI not finish until the stroke of four—an hour after the local limit—and the point arises if it will have to he repeated. It was expected that the ltov C. 0. Ward, vicar of North Minims, would perform the ceremony. At half-past two Mr Ward had not arrived, and the organist changed from voluntaries to hymns, which the congregation sting. At three o'clock it motorist despatched to North Minims returned with the news that Mr Ward had gone to llatlield. The bride’s father telephoned to several adjoining parishes, and motorists searched the countryside. without finding a substitute. Hope ran high when a motorist in clerical attire was seen approaching. He turned out to he a h nited States bishop returning from Scotland with his family, and said he would willingly give his ’ services, hut doubted the legality of a marriage by him in I'.ngland.

At that moment the Tier W. Stanhope, a curate who had been found at Hatfield, arrived in a motor-car and was loudly cheered as he entered the church. Dressed in a lounge suit and soft collar, he performed the long-de-lated ceremony.