A letter granting formal permission for the Borough to adopt the Petre Arms was written by Lord Clifford of Chudleigh, resident of Ealing, on 7 August 1923.
His Lordship stated in his letter of authority that the then Lord Petre was a minor and it was necessary to obtain the assent of the Trustees, which had caused considerable delay.
In concluding his letter Lord Clifford expressed his pleasure, that of his family and his grandfather’s family, at the honour the town of Wanganui had conferred upon them in desiring to adopt the Petre Arms and mentioned the pride he felt in the knowledge of his uncle’s active association with the fortunes of this beautiful and progressive town in its early days.
On Monday 22 November 1922, five months after reconstruction work had been completed, Grant, with Episcopal permission, installed the Blessed Sacrament there.
Once threatened with demolition, Lord Petre eventually offered the almshouses to the Diocese of Brentwood for renovation and for use for a charitable purpose.
A government grant of £49,000 was secured, £5,000 was received from the Almshouse Association of Great Britain, £10,000 from the Diocese of Brentwood, as well as a loan from another charity, and a smaller one from the Essex County Council.