the duties, subject to an appeal by him to the tribunal constituted by the Benefices Act, 1898.[85] Evidence given before the commissioners is privileged.[86] 16. An incumbent is ordinarily bound to reside in his benefice, or in one of them if he holds two, or in the parsonage or vicarage house (if any);[87] and, even though he keeps a curate, it is his duty, unless excused for some valid reason by the bishop, to read the prayers and administer the sacraments at least once a month.[88] If he is absent in any year more than 90 days altogether, he is liable to forfeit, by way of penalty, one-third; if more than 180 days, one-half; if more than 240 days, two-thirds; and, if for the whole time, three-fourths of the year's income of the benefice; unless he has the bishop's licence, or if the bishop has refused it, the archbishop's licence, for non-residence.[89] This licence may be granted on account of (i.) mental or physical infirmity; (ii.) the dangerous illness of the incumbent's wife or child residing with him (but in that case for six months only, renewable from time to time by leave of the archbishop on the recommendation of the bishop); (iii.) the absence or unfitness of a house of residence; (iv.) the occupation by the incumbent of a house of his own in the parish, provided he keeps the house of residence in good repair.[90] Exceptions are made in favour of incumbents holding certain official positions;[91] and the bishop, with the sanction of the archbishop, may grant a licence to reside outside the benefice, where he thinks it expedient so to do. A licence for non-residence is only valid until the 31st of December in the year next after that in which it was granted; and it may at any time be revoked, subject, in the case of a bishop's licence, to an appeal to the archbishop.[92] 17. In lieu of or after proceeding for pecuniary penalties, the bishop may issue a monition and order requiring a non-resident incumbent to reside on and perform the duties of his benefice, and in case of non-compliance with the order may, subject to an appeal to the archbishop, sequester the revenues of the benefice until residence is resumed, and direct their application in payment of the penalties, the expenses of the monition and sequestration, the repair and upkeep of the chancel, house of residence, and other property of the benefice, the satisfaction of any creditor's sequestration, and the augmentation or improvement of the benefice or its property, allowing, if he pleases, a certain proportion to the incumbent.[93] If a benefice continues for a year under sequestration for non-residence or an incumbent incurs two sequestrations for non-residence within two years, and is not relieved in respect of either on appeal, it becomes void as if the incumbent were dead.[94]