The Henson Journals

[138]

Wednesday, April 8th, 1931.

The Newcastle evening Paper last night gave great prominence to a sensational account of the crisis in the Medical College, adorning it with a picture of Headlam, which, however was labelled "the Bishop of Durham". It is a curious blunder, and perhaps indicates how little one is personally known in the district. This morning there are paragraphs in the "Yorkshire Post", and "The Times" referring to the same matter. Plainly "the fat is in the fire". Yet I am entirely in the dark on the two essential matters: –

(1) Whether my visitatorial jurisdiction extends to the case:

(2) If it does, what is the proper & requisite procedure.

If I am really required to hear such an appeal as this, the door seems more widely opened than reason could tolerate or even equity justify. If, however, I refuse to hear it, may I not be acting with a timid apprehension of the ulterior consequences of taking action rather than with a single eye to the performance of my duty? In either event, whether I act or refuse to act, I must needs make myself odious to important sections of academic opinion in Newcastle. The one circumstance that is satisfactory is that the appellants are precisely those who wd normally be anti–bishop!

[139]

I motored to Norton, and read the graveside prayers at the funeral of Sir Frank Brown. There was a considerable gathering of mourners although a "memorial service" was proceeding in Stockton Parish at the same hour – 11 a.m. After the service I called at Norton Priory, & had some talk with his family. I was pleased to learn that my letter thanking him for his gift of an additional £50 as an "Easter egg", for my Ordination Fund, was read to him, and gave him comfort. I returned to Auckland, where Jack Carr was awaiting me. He holds on at Stanton until the end of May, & will be glad of 'holiday duty' in August & September.

Dr & Mrs Macintosh with their son John, an Eton boy, came to lunch. She was well known to me once as Mary Sinclair, the only daughter of a Westminster doctor.

Charles & I motored to Dunston, where I attended the annual meeting of the Sailor's Institute, & made a speech. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle presided over a very scanty attendance.

We went to Pelton, where I instituted the Rev. R. Richardson to the perpetual curacy in succession to the unspeakable Merryweather. There was a densely crowded church, but everybody was reverent, & on the whole I was pleased with the service.

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