The Henson Journals

[206]

Wednesday, March 26th, 1924.

I motored to Durham, picked up Wilson at the Chapter Office, and went with him to the Shire Hall, where I had an interview with Brookers, the County Surveyor, on the subject of the proposed new road, which Budworth vehemently opposes as most injurious to the School. I must confess that the case for the road is much stronger than I had thought, & I could not do more than stipulate for a personal conference between Brookes and the Dean & Chapter so soon as the Dean returns from South America. I lunched with the Bishop of Jarrow, and then motored to Sunderland, where I confirmed 127 persons at Silksworth, and then (after food with Canon McCullagh) I went to Christ Church, & confirmed 139 persons. Here again the males exceeded the females to my great comfort. After service we returned to Auckland.

I took occasion to consult McCullagh about the forthcoming vacancy of the Rectory at Hartlepool; where for some while the was himself assistant curate. I suggested Prideaux as a possible incumbent, and he agreed that he was in some respects very well qualified. But then, there are 2 objections. He is unmarried, and in view of the fact that Mrs Cobb, the other Hartlepool incumbent's wife is a Papist, a clerical wife is rather desirable: and he is reported to be an Anglo–Catholic, which since the Hartlepool folk are said to be Protestant is unfortunate.

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