Wellington Diocesan Synod

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 54, 25 October 1892, Page 2

Wellington Diocesan Synod

The Eev. A Hennon has supplied us with the following particulars of the proceedings in Wellington at the last meeting of the Synod:— ln accordance with a resolution passed at the last general Synod, the subject of women voting at parish meetings, and being eligible for election on yestries, was brought before the Diocesan Synod, and was carefully discussed, but on the question being put, it was negatived by a large majority in a full house of the Synod. The Bishop, in opening his address, emphasized the necessity of the Synod making further provision for the ministrations of the Church to people living in settlements beyond the reach of the clergy in charge ofparochial and missionary districts. A select committee was appointed on the first day of the bynod to enquire into and report upon the whole question, and to suggest the best mode of raising special funds for the purpose. The following recommendations of the committee were adopted, viz. : The construction of the undermentioned eight new districts and the appointment of curates to the same as soon as possible : — I. Waimate Plains Parochial District, haying Opunake, Otakeho, Manaia, Oraiawa, and Kaponga as centres. 11. Waitotara Missionary District, including the country from Waitotara to the boundary of the Wanganui Town Parish. 111. Wanganui Parochial Missionary District, including Matarawa, Wangaehu, Fordell, Mangamahu, No. 1 Line, Denlair, Mangawhero, Upokongaro, and Turakina. IV. Ongo-Apiti Missionary District— a new district to the north of Marton and Feildmg cures, haying for .its centres Pemberton, Birmingham, Hunteryille, and Ohingaiti. It is understood that the district is willing to raise £150 per an* num for the services of a resident minister, and that Hunterville has already built a church at a cost, including the gift of land, of £190. V. Pohangina Missionary District. — It is suggested that the whole of the survey district of Pohangina east of the Oroua river, including Ashurst and Bunnytborpe, constitute this district. VI. Foxton Parochial District.— Foxton is to be severed from the Bulls-Sandon cure, and re-formed into a separate district, embracing the country from Tokomaru to Otaki. VII. Pahautanui Missionary District. — This district will include the townships from Te Horo to Pahantanui, together with the Upper Hutt. VIII. Pahiatua Parochial District. — This district will include Pahiatua, Eketahnna, and the surrounding district. The committee reported that to deal thoroughly with the proposed scheme, a sura of not less than £500 per anaum for two years, that is £1000, is urgently required to supplement the amounts which the new districts would be able to raise towards the stipends needed for the new curates. A largely-attended public meeting was held in Thomas' Booms, Wellington, on the 10th instant, when the Primate presided, and in the course of his opening remarks said : He felt that as many of the residents in Wellington had large interests in the new settlements, for which clergymen were now required, and seeiag that Wellington generally derived its wealth from the country districts, he felt that he had good reason to appeal to the people of Wellington to help him carry out the recommendations of the Synod by liberally responding to his present request for help. The other speakers during the evening were the Yen. Archdeacon Fancourt, the Bey. A. Hermon, Captain Hewitt, the Bey. A. Towgood, the Bey. B. Coffey, Messrs Pynsent, and Tolhurst. A subscription list was opened in the room, and the Bishop was able to report next evening to the Synod that the amount of about £400 had already been promised. The grant which FeUding bas received for many years past, of £25 per annum, was to have been withdrawn this year, but in consideration of the Cure having been freed from debt during the past year, chiefly by voluntary contributions, the Synod agreed to withdraw only half the grant (£l2 10s) this year, the grant to cease entirely next year. The Bishop has formally stated his intention of not presiding at another meeting of the Diocesan Synod, his reasons for resigning being age and failing health.