CLERICAL SCANDAL AT PONSONBY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 119, 27 March 1879, Page 2

CLERICAL SCANDAL AT PONSONBY.

(per press agency.) Auckmni), Wednesday. The rupture which occurred about six

weeks ago between the Rev, Mr Bree, incumbent of All Saints' Church, Ponsonby, and lus vestry and parishioners, was brought to something like a settlement last night, The circumstances connected with the case are as followsOn the 14th February last a young lady who had been a member of the church, had assisted in the choir, and taken an active interest in the affairs of the parish, returned from a visit to Waikato in a dying condition, On

the 15th, at three o'clock, the young lady's sister called and asked the minister ;o go down with her. He had been suffering from cold and sore throat for two lays, and declined to go, alleging that exK'sure to the air would unfit him for the

performance of his diities in church next day, At four o'clock a messenger was sent, but he again refused. The request was repeated at live o'clock by two lady parishioners, one of whom offered to send a cab; and again at six o'clock, for the last time, a horse being brought round to the door to convey him. The distance

was not more than eleven minutes' quiet ride. He said then that if the cab came for him he might go, However, he did not, and the young lady, having been attended in her last moments by the Rev. Mr Runciman, Presbyterian clergyman, died at half-past seven, That evening the pastor of All Saints spent in playing chess with a parishioner, and in the course of the game observed that if a cab came for him to go to attend Miss Blank lie would not be away more than half an hour The same evening one of the parishioners went and remonstrated with him very strongly for his action. On the following day Mr Bree conducted the services at All Saints. The funeral took place on Monday. The Rev. Mr Bree said he would meet it on the way. Howover, some of those concerned took him down to the house, when a polito intimation was sent out informing him that his presence inside was not desired. He read

the service at the grave, going there and returning alone. Subsequently a few parishioners met together .and resolved to submit the matter to the Bishop. A letter detailing the circumstances was forwarded to .his Lordship,'who replied expressing sympathy for. tylr Bree in his misfortune, but stilting that he could not take any action. If the parishioners de-

sired to proceed further a Certain course of procedure was open to: them under •the Diocesan rules. Acting upon this, a 'iiiajority of the veatry proceeded to file a charge 'against "Mr Bree in the 7 'Church Court. The chafge was, first, for refusing without sufficient cause to attend on a young lady and administer the Sacrament, as she was entitled to demand by right as parishioner; and, second, not attending to instruct. Mr Bree admitted being sent for, but denied that lie had been told that the girl was dying by any one but the last messenger, He also gave the authority of Dr. Baynton, his medical adviser, that he was not . in .a fit condition to go. When it was seen that the parishioners wero resolute, overtures were made privately to secure anabandonnient of the proceedidgs, The vestry intimated that nothing but a letter from, the Bishop withdrawing what they deemed to be misplacod expressions of sympathy for Bree, together with one from the incumbent acknowledging his fault, would be accepted. On Saturday a letter was received from the Bishop covering one from Bree, in which thv latter admitted the charge, confessed that he had committed an error. of judgment, and apologised for it. The letter from the Bishop stated that as Bree had admitted his error he hoped the vestry would accept the expression of regret, A meeting of the vestry was held last night, when it was stated that by pressing the case in the Church Court nothing more could be done than prove the charge of a breach of discipline, and it was already admitted. A resolution was adopted to the effect that the apology of Bree be accepted, and the charge be no further pressed in the Church Court. Another resolution was carried asking the Bishop whether the district having been recently formed into a parish, was vacant, and to request that a time be fixed for the nomination of a minister.