ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1035, 30 October 1903, Page 4

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

BISHOP NELIGAN.

Per Press Association. Auckland, last night.

The Anglican Diocesan Synod opened to-day. Bishop Eeligan in bis address, stated that he had travelled some 4000 miles in New Zealand sinco his consecration. The diocese was wholly undermanned, but while they had nothing like enough clergy or lay readers they hud a superabundance of churches and vicarages. Alluding to the unsatisfactory position of clergyman in regard to their stipends, the Bishop urged the prime necessity of forming a sustcntation fund. The necessity for creating definite church opinion was dealt with at length. He urged the creation of a body of thought, for thinking out some big things concerned with big interests, animated by the same big motives, and caring about the same big ends. The following changes were contemplated : Reorganisation of the archdeaconal boundaries ; the entrusting of Maori work to special men, capable of superintending it; the appointment of rural deans over manageable areas; the selection as time went on of heads for women’s and for men’s organisations throughout the diocese. Each person would be held responsible for his own work, with a general supervision by His Lordship. The Bishop spoke in support o‘f the Bible in-schools movement. The Bishop also urged the desirability of creating centres of spiritual work, from which the surrounding country could be worked by men living as a brotherhood. The address was a most able and vigorous one, and created a pro? found impression at the Synod. Communion service was held at the Cathedral in the morning. Bishop Neligan was the celebrant, being vested in a handsome cape of white silk.