DIOCESAN MATTERS

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 12

DIOCESAN MATTERS

MEETING OF SYNOD DISHOP’S ADDRESS In the course of Ins address to the first session of the twenty-fourth Anglican Synod, which commenced this afternoon 1 in St. Paul’s Cathedral schoolroom, Bishop W, A. It. Fitchett referred to the death on May 10 of this year at Christchurch of Bishop Richards, who resigned from office as bishop of the diocese on May 31, 1931. The speaker detailed the work performed by Bishop Richards, and referred to" the courage with which he carried out his work in the face of great physical suffering. The speaker then went on to express the sympathy of the diocese to Bishop West-Watson on the death of his wife. During the year the following former members of the synod bad died:—lsaac Richards (bishop), Henry Sholto Bishop, George Howard Laurence (priests), Seymour Frederick Whitconibe. James Beecot, Hone Crawford Anderson (laymen), and the bishop asked members to stand in silence. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were welcomed: —The Revs. F. L. Irwin, W. L. S. Harbour, B. 0. Plumb, and Messrs W. E. G. Bond, A. L. Swan, C. W. Hannah, S. M. Taylor, R. A. Guy, J. J. Paul, D. Cuthbertson, L. Kelcher, W. Crowther, W. Grieve, T. W. 0. Bland, H. W. Sew Hoy, J. Simpson, S. Rice, and A. G. Mathias. CHANGES. Certain changes had taken place since the last synod meeting. The Ven. A. C.' H. Button had become vicar of Waikouaiti and Palmerston, the Rev. A. B. Pywcll vicar of Caver-sham, the Rev. G. N. Luker vicar of Bluff, the Rev. E. G Wilson vicar of Port Chalmers, and the Rev. F. L. Irwin vicar of Riverton. During the year also the Rev. A. Wingfield resigned the Parish of Holy Cross and retired on pension, and the Rev. W. H. S. Hino resigned the parochial district of Winton to accept an appointment in the diocese of Christchurch. The Rev. C. E. P. Webb became vicar of Holy Cross, the Rev. W. W. L. Powell vicar of Gore, the Rev. J. N. Goodman vicar of Wakatipu, and the Rev. H. Fallows vicar of Waimea Plains. The Rev. C. M. Newton had been transferred from the Waitaki district to the temporary charge of a district that would ultimately be. attached to the parish of Gore, the Rev. B. O. Plumb had come from the Nelson diocese to be assistant curate to the vicar of Oainaru, and the Rev. W. L. S. Harbour had been ordained deacon and licensed as assistant curate to the vicar of All Saints’, Dunedin. The resignation of the Rev. I. L. Richards, who had been appointed vicar of St. Luke's Parish, Christchurch, was received. PAROCHIAL BOUNDARIES. A Parochial Boundaries Commission, in consultation with the archdeacons, had done a considerable amount of work, and on its recommendation the Standing Committee eliminated the parochial district of Roxburgh-Tapanui, and altered the boundaries of the parochial districts of Tuapeka, Balclutha, Waimea Plains, and Winton. ■ A district had been formed, including Clinton, Tapanni, Waikaka. lliversdale, and Waikaia, which would ultimately be placed in charge of the vicar of Gore parish, who would have an assistant curate. SHORTAGE OF CLERGY, Referring to the shortage of experienced priests for appointment to cures, not only in the diocese,_ but elsewhere in New Zealand, the bishop) said that the parochial districts of Winton and Waitaki had boon vacant for some months, and the parish of All Saints’ Gladstone, would become vacant in December. At present the Waitaki District could not supply a sufficient stipend to make the appointment of a vicar, possible, and an appointment at Winton was delayed until the present dilmiidated vicarage could be replaced. In the meantime the archdeacon of North Otago was making what provision was possible for the work in the Waitaki District, and the Archdeacon of Southland was doing the same for the Winton District. He hoped shortly to be able to place a priest in temporary charge at Winton ; but was inclined to the view that it would be sound policy to attach the Waitaki District to the parish of Oamaru, and provide a second assistand curate at Oamaru “ I believe. the establishment of assistant curacies, where deacons can be trained, to be of the utmost importance,” said the speaker. “We have a college in which young men can receive their scholastic training,. but we lack assistant curacies, in which they can got practial training in pastoral work under the guiclane of an experienced parish priest. . Owing to this lack of assistant curacies, the last two men who passed through Sclwyn College had to seek appointment in other dioceses, and consequently are lost to this diocese. Moreover, more than 20 young men have applied to me to be accepted as candidates for Holy Orders, and I have had to warn them that if they complete their scholasticcourse successfully, I cannot guarantee to ordain them, because we lack assistant curacies for deacons. If the supply of clergy is to be maintained, assistant curacies are essential, and it will be my policy to establish them as suitable opportunities occur.” CLERGY STIPENDS. “ Not unconnected with obtaining clergv for the diocese is the question of clergy stipends. At the present time cuts are being restored, and recent legislation provides that a great many people will receive much more remuneration than lormcrly. Of course, the legislation enforcing this is not applicable to clergy stipends, but I trust vestries and committees will do their best to act in this matter without compulsion.” He was fully aware that vestries and committees could not pay larger stipends than the revenue which they received from the parishioners permitted ; but much might be done by church officers to increase that revenue by representing to parishioners that more should ho given for the support of God’s work, and so creating a better public opinion on the subject among parishioners. “ The present position is that we are not training our own men, and when we invite a priest of any standing from another diocese, we have to invite him to accept a lower stipend than he has boon receiving.” went on the bishop, who continued: ” Far be it from me to suggest that the amount of stipend is the main consideration with a priest; but a priest has to live, and has the duty of providing for those dependent upon him. so I cannot subscribe to the view that lie should give no consideration at. all to the amount of stipend he is offered.”

BUILDINGS AND REPAIRS. They were in charge of buildings which had been provided bv a former generation, went on the speaker, and they were in a position of trust which required that the buildings be kept in a state of repair and that their replacement be provided for bv the establishment- of depreciation funds. Otherwise, they were Jiving on and using up capital which future generations had a right to inherit. This question should be seriously considered by vestries and committees. It was pleasing to be able to report that some building and restoration had been taking place. Considerable repairs were taken in hand in Palmerston, a new vicarage was built at Anderson’s Bay. the Church of All Saints’ Gladstone, had had much done to it, and the church people of Woodlands deserved great praise for having provided a church hall, beautifully appointed, in which they might worship in an atmosphere conducive to devotion. There was also in progress at the orphanage the building of a sun room in memory of the late Mrs J. M. Riichie. ST. HILDA’S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL. The members of svnod would be pleased to learn that the number of boarders at St. Hilda’s had increased and was increasing, and the principal (Miss Blackmore) found it necessary to ask the board to provide extra accommodation. The school hacl a lengthy and highly creditable record, and it was hoped that church people throughout the diocese would give it every support. ■ BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. In view of the fact that the General Synod would meet in April next year, it was necessary that consideration be given to two matters of importance. One had been sent to the diocesan synods by the General Synod—viz., a proposal to alter a clause of the constitution to permit of a new method of electing bishops. The other was a proposal that would be brought before the General Synod—yiz., that the Standing Committee should be elected for a period of three years.