R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-8: Clerk pro tempore in absence of probate clerk.

Whenever the clerk of any probate court shall not appear at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the court, the court may appoint a clerk for the time being, who, after being duly sworn, shall perform all the duties, exercise all the powers, enjoy all the emoluments, and be subject to all the requirements granted to or conferred on or required of clerks of probate courts.