In the event of the death of the District Judge or of his being prevented from performing his duties by illness or other casualty, or of his absence from his District on leave, the first in rank of the Assistant Judges in the District, or in the absence from the District of an Assistant Judge the first in rank of the Subordinate Judges, shall assume charge of the District Court without interruption to his ordinary jurisdiction,. and while so in charge shall perform the duties of a District judge with respect to the filing of suits and appeals, receiving pleadings, execution of processes, return of writs and the like, and shall be designated Assistant Judge or Subordinate Judge, as the case May be, in charge of the District, and shall continue in such charge until the office of District Judge may be resumed or assumed by an officer duly appointed thereto.