Section 2602. Terms of courts and powers of judges in counties having more than one judge of the surrogate's court

1. In any county having more than 1 judge of the surrogate's court
    (a) all of the powers conferred by law upon a judge of the surrogate's
  court may be exercised by either of such judges;
    (b) the disability of a judge or  his  illness  or  absence  from  the
  county  after  his  decision  upon any matter in an action or proceeding
  before him shall not affect the validity of such decision and the  other
  judge  may give effect thereto and make and sign an appropriate order or
  decree based thereon having the same force and effect as if made by  the
  judge making the decision.
    2. In any such county the judges must
    (a)  appoint  and may alter the times of holding terms and sessions of
  that court for the trial of proceedings in which there  is  a  right  to
  trial by jury;
    (b)  appoint  and may alter the times of holding terms and sessions of
  that court for the disposition of all other business;
    (c) prescribe the duration of such  terms  and  assign  the  judge  to
  preside and attend at the terms and sessions so appointed.
    3.  In  the  county  of New York the appointment of such terms must be
  published in two newspapers published in the city of New York during  or
  before the first week in January in each year.