AS YOU WERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 452, 6 September 1928, Page 16

AS YOU WERE

New Chapter Elected ANTI-HIGH CHURCH HAMILTON MAKES ITS CHOICE (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON. The election of a new chapter for St. Peter’s Cathedral to replace members who recently resigned was held this evening and was largely attended. There was practically no change in the personnel of the new chapter, and the position is the same as it was. Dean G. R. Barnett, who presided over an attendance of over 500, said the first question to decide was whether the Press should be permitted to report the meeting. Mr. D. Hay said the first business was to elect a 6hapter. When that was done the question of admitting the Press could be reconsidered. This was agreed to. The dean announced that Mr. W. G. Pountney had agreed to carry on as vicar’s warden, and Mr. D. Hay was elected people’s warden unopposed. Mr. G. H. Bindon nominated Messrs. Blakeway, Hammond, Snell, Reid, Morris and Stace (members of the old chapter), and Mr. H. Mercer. WILL DISSENSION CONTINUE

Mr. J. W. Warren asked whether the parishioners were satisfied that the members nominated were qualified to act. He said he wanted to know whether, if elected, they would continue the dissension that had recently marked their period of office. Dean Barnett called on Mr. Warren to sit down, and there was an uproar for a few minutes. Other nominations received were those of Messrs. H. C. M. Norris, H. G. Sergei, E. R. Gresham, H. Whitlock, J. Bateson, jun., and H. Innes Jones. AGAINST HIGH CHURCH

The 13 nominations were submitted to a ballot, and when the voting papers had been collected the dean adjourned the meeting and left the chair. The ballot resulted in the following being elected: Messrs. Hammond. Reid, Mercer, Morris, tSace, Norris, Blakeway and Sergei. Of the old chap•ter, Mr. Snell was dropped, and Messrs. Mercer and Sergei, both of whom have expressed themselves in opposition to high church practices, were returned.

As far as St. Peter’s parochial affairs are concerned the position is about the same as it was before. The new chapter now includes the following: Messrs. Pountney, vicar’s warden; D. Hay, people’s warden; Farrer, Judd, Hammond, Blakeway, Reid, Mercer, Morris, Stace, Norris and Sergei.

Bean Barnett said the whole of the votes left the position unaltered.