The Henson Journals

[213]

Friday, April 4th, 1924.

An Ordination candidate, Arthur Norris, came to see me. He is the son of a foreman–engineer at Jarrow, has been educated in a secondary school, & has taken his degree at Durham with honours. I was generally impressed with him.

Christopher Birney, a lad of 15, the son of the new Vicar of Witton Park, came to see me. He too aspires to be ordained. I said that if he passed matriculation to Durham, I would consider his application.

Chute, the Vicar of St Oswald's, West Hartlepool, came to dine and sleep. A very attractive, honest, hard–working man. If only we had more of his type and training!

During the afternoon I motored to Durham, & saw Wilson about divers items of business. The Chapel Committee of the School are disposed to take up an attitude of unreasoning opposition to the proposed new road: and set aside my suggestion of a conference with the Surveyor with a promptitude which argued, perhaps, a lack of the respect due to their Diocesan. But one must make allowances for disappointment, & chagrin. It is never worth while to indulge the sentiment of personal injury: and I shall not allow myself to do so now. But I make a note of the incident.

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