Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Monday 27 March 1916, page 8


DEAN KITE

RETURNING TO ENGLAND.

APPRECIATION BY ARCHDEACON

WHITINGTON.

it became known yesterday that the Rev. J. B. Kite, who, for eighteen years, has occupied the position of Dean of Hobart, will next month relinquish his duties here and return to England, and regret was expressed among his own parishioners and church people generally at the loss which will be sustained by his departure.

The first intimation of the subject was made by the Dean at yesterday's morning service in St. David's Cathedral, when, addressing the congregation, has sailed regret that I have to announce that. for family lemons, I have decided to resign my position as your parish priest and Dean of this Cattledrink."' He stated that it was only after earnest consideration of the matter with the Bishop, that he had decided on that course, and he very much regretted having to leave a bishop whom he respected and loved, of country that he loved, and a people that life loved.

After announcing that the date of

his departure would be April Li, he could cluded. "I cannot tell you what has cost' me to make this announcement,

but, after giving the matter over by consideration.

I think that it is the best counsel both for this parish and for the diocese."

Before commencing his sermon, Archdeacon Whitington said that the announcement that the Dean had just made had been as much of a surprise and a shock to him if, it had to the congregation. He remembered that when the Dean first took up his duties the financial position of the Cathedral was the cause of considerable anxiety. Since that time, however, the Deanery had been freed from debt, and the chance had been rebuilt at a cost of .C4.CO0. With the love be had for his

Cathedral, Dean Kite Jiatl always shown a desire to beautify it, and so successful find his efforts been that the Cathedral to-day extorted from visitors very great admiration. Tin's had been a very fruitful term of office. As was not usually the case he had had to combine with his duties as Dean thus" of parish, priest, and this had entailed a great amount of extra work at the hospital and elsewhere. He trusted that the Dean would be able to continue his good work in some new sphere, with that devotion to the Church of England of which they knew, him to be possessed.

B REFERENCE BY THE BISHOP.

During the service at St. David's Cathedral last night the Bishop (Dr. Stephen said: You will all have heard with deep sorrow the announcement that has just been made. I refer to the resignation of the Dean, after so many years of service amongst you. I do not wish to dwell at length to-night on this subject. I will only say that to the parish this means the lots of a sound teacher, a sympathetic pastor, and a faithful priest to the diocese it means the loss of a wise tender of' soundness-dom and wide views, whose width of

vision can ill be spared. To many of

you, as to myself, it means the loss of a trusty friend. You will join with me in the hope that some opportunity will be afforded to him of exercising for the benefit of the Church that greatness of mind and character that has for 18 years been so freely and readily devoted to your service."