Temporary vacancies of office of District Judge.

In the event of absence of the District Judge or in the event of a vacancy in that office for whatever reason, the Additional District Judge or if there are more than one Additional District Judges present, the first in rank among them and in case there be no Additional District Judge present, the first in rank among the Civil Judges present, shall, in addition to his own duties, discharge the functions of the District Judge with respect to the filing of the suits and appeals, receiving pleadings, miscellaneous applications and the like, as also with respect to the distribution thereof.