DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 129, 29 October 1874, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Wednesday, October 28, The President took the chair at 4 p.m. BRANCH OF SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. The Rev E. A. Lingard brought up the report of the branch of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, which was read. DIOCESAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The Rev W. W. Willock, moved—1. That the Synod proceed to fill up two vacancies in the Christchurch Diocesan Board of Trustees, caused by the resignation of the Venerable Archdeacon Wilson and T. W. Maude, Esq. 2. That C. R. Blakiston and T. M. Hassal, Esqs, be elected trustees under the Bishops in New Zealand Trusts Act 1871. His Honor the Judge seconded the motion, which was agreed to. REPAIRS OF PARSONAGES. Mr Fendall moved— That it is desirable that the “ Regulations for repairs of parsonages,” (page 46 of Proceedings of Synod), be strictly enforced, and that the repairs required to any parsonage be completed without delay, more especially those distinguished under schedule B of such regulations. The Rev W. E. Paige seconded the motion. The Rev Canon Cotterill suggested that the words “ strictly enforced ” be altered to “ carried out.” Mr Fendall agreed to this alteration, which was made. The Rev Canon Cotterill moved as an amendment that all the words after “ delay” be struck out. Dr Donald seconded the amendment. The amendment when put was declared to be carried on the voices. Mr Fendall demanded a division, which took place as follows: CLERGY. Ayes 7 Noes 12 LAITY. Ayes 9 Noes 7 The amendment was therefore lost. The original motion was then put and agreed to. STIPENDS OF THE CLERGY. The Rev W. H. Cooper moved, That the following resolutions contained in the Report of the Select Committee on “ Stipends of Clergy ” be adopted by the Synod : 1. That it is desirable in the Financial Regulations clause 5 be altered so as to make the minimum stipend without a parsonage £BOO per annum, and the minimum stipend with a parsonage £260 per annum. 2. That it is desirable that any surplus funds of the Church Property Estate available for the stipends of the clergy, after paying £SO a year by way of endowment to each parish and parochial district entitled to the same, be applied to augment the stipends of the clergy in parishes and parochial districts, that in the opinion of the Standing Committee require aid. 8. That the Standing Committee be requested to bring before the notice of the parochial officers that a better system of collecting funds in support of the local ministry is greatly needed, and that they should use greater exertions to initiate some improvement in their present system. 4. That the Church Work Extension Committee be recommended to take into consideration the travelling expenses of the clergy, with a view to making an annual allowance to cover expenses.

5. That the Synod be requested to recommend the Church Work Extension Committee to make greater exertions towards obtaining support to their fund in every parish or parochial district, feeling certain that greater activity in general Church work will carry along with it a more adequate standard of stipend for the clergy throughout the diocese. G. That it be a recommendation to the Standing Committee to collect information from other dioceses as to the systems adopted for the maintenance of the clergy, and to report to the Synod at its next session. The Rev Canon Cotterill seconded the motion. The clauses were moved seriatim. On clause 1— His Honor the Judge opposed the fixing of the minimum stipend, as desired by the resolution. Clauses 1,2, 3,4, 5 and 6, were agreed to after some little discussion. JACKSON TRUST ESTATE. The Very Rev the Dean brought up the report from the Select Committee on the

Jackson Trust Estate, which was read by the Clerical Secretary. EXTENSION OF CHURCH PROPERTY FUND. Rev E. A. Lingard moved— That the Church Property Trustees be re* commended to ordain a Bye-law for extending to all parts of the province beyond the limits of the Canterbury block the benefits of the Church Property Trust Estate, so far as the stipends of the clergy are concerned, with this proviso, that the extension be made with an understanding that if at any future time the part of the province outside the Canterbury block, or any portion of it, become part of another diocese, no claim shall be made on the property by such portion of 'the present diocese. Dr Donald seconded the motion. The Very Rev the Dean, Archdeacon Harper, Revs Cholmondcley, Canon Cotterill, and C. Bowen, and Messrs Gordon, Acland, and others having spoken, the motion was put and declared to be carried, on the voices. A division was called for by Mr Hanmer, but ultimately, the demand was withdrawn. The resolution was then put, and agreed to on the voices. SALE OP CHURCH PROPERTY. Mr Malet moved— That the resolutions contained in the report of the committee on the disposal of a portion of the Church Property Estate be adopted by the Synod. 1. That it be a recommendation to the Church Property Trustees to sell, as opportunity offers, portions of the unlet part of the Church Property Estate to an amount not exceeding £IO,OOO. 2. That the sum thus obtained be appropriated as follows:—£5000 towards completion of the Cathedral; £SOOO towards the erection of churches and parsonages in country districts.

He was sorry that the duty had not fallen on the shoulders of some more experienced member of the Synod. He had taken action in this matter, and asked for the appointment of a select committee. He believed if he had not done so the question would probably not have come before the Synod. As it was likely that several members would speak to the resolution he would not detain the Synod long. The committee were appointed to consider two questions. 1, providing church accommodation in the diocese; 2, the furtherance of the completion of the Cathedral by means of funds to be derived from the Church Property Trust Estate. The committee had gone fully into the position of the Church Property Trust Estate, and had unanimously come to the conclusion to recommend the sale of the unlet portion of the property to the extent of £IO,OOO. He would point out that the income now derived from the property would, if that course were adopted, not be interfered with. It was not necessary for him to address himself to the want of church accommodation in the town, for that was admitted on all sides. The completion of the Cathedral would provide that want, and the state of the Cathedral subscription |list showed that it was utterly useless to expect that the Cathedral would be completed without such aid as the resolutions they were now discussing asked for. A very general opinion prevailed amongst churchmen, both inside and outside the Synod, that the Church estate should in some way be utilised for the present urgent wants of the Church, and members of the Church were not wanting who would not assist by subscription a Church with large landed endowments, which showed no disposition to help itself. It would not not be wise to starve the Church of the present day by hoarding up the endowments now so that a large landed property might be handed down to the next generation. He trusted the Synod would agree to the grant, for it was patent to all that the Cathedral could not be advanced to an extent which would admit of its being used without the assistance asked for. If the Cathedral was not carried on without interruption beyond the point that the funds now at the disposal of the commission would take it, so that say the nave of the building might be used for Divine service, he believed it would do infinitely more harm to the Church than if no steps had been taken towards the erection of the cathedral; It only remained for him now to refer to the proposed provision for increased church accommodation outside the town. The committee proposed to devote £SOOO of the sum .to be raised towards the erection and enlargement of churches and parsonages in country districts. The sum at first sight might appear a large one, but in view of the fact that the Synod this year has made provision by grant for eight new parishes and parochial districts, and looking to the probable future wants of the diocese it was not too large a sum. The population is largely increasing, and if the Church does not make proportionate provision it will lose that position it ought to hold. The amount asked for need not necessarily, and as a matter of fact would not, all be spent for some years to come, so that in the meantime if the surplus funds were invested a very handsome sum might be accumulated, It would perhaps be well to refer here to the position of the present holders of debentures. The committee ascertained that the Church property estate is roughly estimated at being worth from £60,000 to £70,000. Taking the value of the property at £65,000, should property to the extent of £IO,OOO be realised, there would still be left an estate worth £55,000 as security for the sum of £BIOO, with which the estate is now chargeable. It is not anticipated that any objection will be raised by the present de-benture-holders, as the security is more than sufficient for the amount advanced. Should objection be taken to so small a portion of the property being realised, there is no reason to suppose that there would be any difficulty in borrowing money on the same terms, and paying off such, or all, if necessary, of the debenture-holders as may take exception to the course which it is proposed should be taken. He should wish to add, that the committee were unanimous in the adoption of the report, and he would also draw attention to the fact that two of the clergy, the Very Rev the Dean of Christchurch, and the Rev W. W. Willock, are trustees of the Church Property, and have for years been connected with the management of the estate. He would now move the first resolution standing in his name. Mr W. H. Lane seconded the motion. Rev W. W. Willock said he desired to make an explanation after what Mr Malet had said about the committee being unanimous. Though going heartily with the spirit of the resolution, he was going to move an amendment as to the mode in which the money should be made available. He would point out that it would be very prejudicial to the interests of the estate if it was known outside that they were bound to sell, and also that they were bound only to sell cer-

tain sections. Again, there were certain sections upon which there was a condition to erect a house of a certain character, and to allow of small shops and houses of a character not so durable as being erected he thought they would not be doing what was right by their tenants. Another thing was that several of the leases of sections in Christchurch would fall in soon, and he thought it would be much better to sell these rather than to sell those which were unlet. He would read the amendment he would ask the Synod to adopt, and he hoped Mr Malet would see his way to take it in place of his resolution, [Hear.] The amendment was as follows :—“ That it be a recommendation to the Church Property Trustees to raise, by sale of a portion of the estate, or by loan, as they may deem desirable, or as occasion may require, a sum not exceeding £10,00°.” ~ t Mr Malet said he would accept the amendment proposed by Mr Willock. [Hear, hear.] ~ , Mr Willock said he would now proceed to quote a few statistics. Out of the Curch Property Estate for parsonages, &c, outside of Christchurch, there had been spent £6371 14s 9d; by sales of timber, £llO9 14s 6d, or a total of £4757 9s 3d, and beyond this they had taken upon themselves liabilities to the extent of some £ISOO more for the erection’ of parsonages, thus making, in round numbers, £6,257 from the Church Property Trustees, towards parsonages, &c, outside Christchurch. In Christchurch, he would tell them that not a penny had been spent for the building of parsonages, See, but he might say that a sum of £2721 IGs 9d had been expended, arising from the reserves near St Michael’s Church. Now, he quoted these figures for the reason of inducing the Synod to agree to the proposition. If this were done, the Cathedral would be erected; a work would be done which would redound to the honor and glory of God more than any other work which might be undertaken by the Synod. [Hear, hear.] He did hope that the Synod would accept the amendment, and pass it. Mr G. L, Lee said that Mr Willock’s amendment relieved him of a very great difficulty, as he could not have sat and voted for so mischievous a proposition as that contained in the resolution as originally drafted. Had this been carried, they would have been forced into a sale with all the disadvantages attaching thereto, which would have been very great. Mr Willock had said that nothing had been expended in Christchurch for church building, but he had evidently forgotten the £SOOO voted for the cathedral [Mr Willock— 11 I said, except that,”] He was very glad that Mr Willock had moved his resolution as it certainly put the matter on a far better footing. He would not say more on this, but would say something on the second resolution. The amendment as accepted by Mr Malet was then put and carried on the voices. Mr Malet then moved the second clause.

Dr Donald asked what were country districts. Would Mr Malet define them ? Mr Malet said that he meant districts outside Christchurch. The Dean —Then Merivale is to be regarded as a country district 1 Mr Malet —Decidedly ; all districts outside the Municipality. I will, if the Synod will allow me, add the words at the end of the resolution, “ outside Christchurch.” Leave was given, and the addition made as requested. Eev J. H. Wills suggested that the words “and alterations ” be added after the words “ towards the erection.” Mr Malet agreed to this, which was done.

Archdeacon Harper thought that perhaps the expenditure of this sum might be extended over three years with advantage. Mr Blakiston said that after the magnanimous manner in which the Church had come forward in this matter, by devoting a portion of her estate, he felt sure that churchmen would come forward with renewed vigor to aid in carrying forward this great work to its completion. [Hear]. He was very glad to see that so much a better spirit existed in regard to this matter than had been the case on a previous evening. His Honor the Judge thought that the commissioners would be enabled to cover in the roof, so as to hold service, and this, he thought, would be the means of inducing churchmen to come forward more liberally. Mr Alington wished to rise to oppose this resolution. He felt that by granting a sum of money to the cathedral was a fatal mistake. They were starving their Church schools, and instead they were going by a cheap method to try and erect the cathedral by selling a portion of the Church property. He contended that churchmen in the future would look upon the selling of this Church property for this purpose as a fatal and bitter mistake. What should be done was to collect subscriptions towards the cathedral on a diocesan basis by the establishment of guilds such as had been established at St Michael’s, and not in the way proposed by this resolution. He, if he stood alone, would raise his voice against it being done. They would have by and bye to stem the tide of infidelity, and how did they propose to do it 1 Did they intend to do it by preaching a sermon or two ? He said this would be useless. What they should do was to keep up their schools, and diffuse the benefits of education amongst their people. He should divide the House upon the question ; not because he was opposed to the cathedral, for he felt it was necessary, as the Primate ‘had often said, that he should have a church in which to perform his functions, lie again said that the Synod would make a bitter mistake if they carried this resolution. [“No, no,” and applause. | After a few remarks from Rev Mr Bowen, Rev Mr Preston said that unless they threw down the partition wall and made this one diocese, the cathedral would never be built. If the Synod consented to allow Church property to be sold they would be committing a mistake for which Churchmen in future would reproach them. Canon Dudley was heartily in favour of the motion. He could not conceive a higher or more important work being undertaken than the building of the Cathedral, nor one which would tend more to the welfare of the whole Diocese. So far as he was concerned he went heartily with the motion. [Hear.]

Mr G. L. Lee said that it nad been said that the original founders of the settlement had always contemplated the erection of the Cathedral, but he had been unable to find anything of the kind. [Mr Lee then quoted from several letters.] There was not a word of any expectation of assistance from the Church Property Trust Estate, nor in the Ecclesiastical or Educational endowments projected. Prior (o the arrival of the pioneer settlers was there anything taid about the

Cathedral ? Twenty churches, schools, and parsonages, a college, chapel, archdeaconry, &c., were projected, but he thought the documents he had read certainly did not at all disclose the fact that it was contemplated to expend so large a sum for the Cathedral ort of the Church Property Trust. He asked the Synod to pause ; he should not vote against it ; but he thought that it would be better to leave the matter over until next session of the Synod. ] “ No, no.”] Rev J. H. Wills said that when asking for subscriptions on the part of the Cathedral from the squatters, he was told that they wanted churches in the country. Now, however, after the vote of that evening on behalf of churches, &c, in the country, he thought they would come forward liberally and subscribe towards the erection of the Cathedral. [Hear, hear.] Hon J. B, Acland thought that the idea of building the Cathedral was always in the mind of the early settlers —[hear, hear] but that they were prevented by circumstances from carrying out their ideas. In 1859 it was projected to build a Cathedral at a cost of £SOOO, when plans were sent out by Mr Fitzgerald, which, however, were not considered good enough by the colonists in the face of good times. In 1863 a push was made, and £17,000 was promised in subscriptions, but the bad times came, and people were unable to meet their promises. Therefore the work had received a check from which it had taken years to recover. However, he thought that the Cathedral being a rallying-point for the whole diocese, the, churchmen should come forward, and subscribe towards it. He looked upon it as almost a disgrace on the laity that they had to come forward to take the Church Property. (Hear, hear.) Rev W. Cholmondeley hoped the Synod would take the advice of Mr Lee, and let the matter stand over until next session. He felt that the Cathedral had had a very liberal share of money, but he looked upon it that to give anymore would not be making the use of it. While saying this, he might at once say that he was in favour of the latter part of the resolution, as he looked upon it that the erection of churches in outlying districts was duty Not, and the erection of the cathedral duty No 2. [Hear.] He denied that the estates of the Church were being unused ; the income was only just sufficient to meet the calls upon it. If the Synod called upon the trustees to raise a sum of £SOOO for the erection of churches and parsonages by any means they might think fit to adopt, it might be done without impairing the corpus of the estate. He took it that the estate was never intended to be alienated. and they should be very careful not to do so to serve any temporary purpose. Rev W. E. Paige said he rose to protest against the remarks of the last speaker being taken as representing the views of the clergy. He felt it would be a lasting disgrace if the clergy put themselves in the position of obstructives. He did hope that the clergy would vote this amount for the Cathedral, and further than this he thought that if the same amount were required at the next Synod for the same purpose, they would be prepared to grant it. [Hear, hear.] Mr L. Harper was glad to hear the sentiments of the last speaker, as he felt they represented the views of the greater portion of the clergy. Mr Cholmondeley was quite willing to allow £SOOO to be expended in churches, but he resolutely declined to allow the same amount to be voted for the church which would be the heart of the diocese which would do more to quicken Church feeling than anything else. It must be remembered that they were going to invest their money in a way which would give the highest possible return, and he hoped that the Synod would grant it, as he reminded them that the Cathedral would be a diocesan church free and open to all the diocese, and of equal interest to all. [Hear], He trusted that the Synod would carry the resolution.

Dr Donald pointed out that by expending the estate in this way there was no violation whatever of the original trust. The fact was that the £1 per acre for churches, schools, &c, would very likely have been spent had they had it, but somehow or other it had vanished, and instead of it they had the land, therefore there was no violation of the original trust. He thought that having thus taken away the basement of Mr Lee’s and Mr Paige’s arguments, the whole fabric would of necessity crumble down. [Hear.] The motion was then put, and declared to be carried on the voices. Mr Alington demanded a division, which took place as follows : CLERGY. Ayes 17 Noes 4 LAITY. Ayes 27 Noes 1 The following is the division list. Clergy—Ayes, 17. Very Rev the Dean, Archdeacon Harper, Revs Cocks, Wills. Foulger, Dudley, Merton, Cooper, Paige, Edwards, Brittan, Bowen, Willock, Gould, Cotterill, Stack, and Lingard. Laity— Ayes 27. His Honor the Judge, Hon J. B. A. Acland, Drs Deamer and Donald, Messrs Lee, Leach, Nalder, A. Blakiston, Graham, Hassall, L. Harper, Hanraer, Mountfort, Walker, C. R. Blakiston, Ainger, Packer, Hawkes, Slater, Parsons, Lane, Gordon, Tipping, Fendall, Mclntyre, Malet, and Palairet. Noes—Clergy 4. Revs Glasson, Preston, Cholmondeley, and Watson. Laity, 1. Mr Alington. The motion therefore passed. INSPECTOR OP SUNDAY SCHOOLS, Mr W. C. Walker, moved—

That it be recommended to the Diocesan Education Committee to appoint an inspector or inspectors of Sunday schools in accordance with their report as presented to the Synod this session. The Rev C, Bowen seconded the motion. The motion was agreed to. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. Ven Archdeacon Harper moved that the first clause of the resolutions adopted by the Religious Instruction Committee be confirmed by the Synod as follows : That the following resolutions contained in the report of the Religious Instruction Committee be adopted by Synod—1. That the following memorial to the Provincial Council of the Province of Canterbury, be adopted by the Synod, and that the President be requested to cause the same to be duly presented. [The memorial has already appeared.] The motion was agreed to on the voices. Clause 2, as follows, passed without debate. 2. That the President be requested to forward a copy of the above memorial to the Education Board of the Province of Canterbury,

On Clause 3, as follows : 3. That in anticipation of the prayer of this memorial being acceded to, the Synod does not think it desirable, at present, to recommend any grant from Diocesan Funds for the maintenance of Church day schools in the Canterbury portion of the diocese. Mr M'lntyre moved, “ That the words ‘ at present ’ be struck out.” His Honor said that the reason why the words “ at present” were left in was, because while it was not wanted to go in opposition to the Government, the Church did not bind itself to say that they would not furnish religious instruction to their children if they could not get religious instruction in the Government schools. The Very Rev the Dean seconded the motion. Mr Alington thought that it was almost impossible for the memorial to be acceded to, and he appealed to those members of the Provincial Council who were present whether there was the slightest chance of the Ordinance being altered in the direction of more liberality. The Rev B. A. Lingard was quite in favor of Mr Mclntyre’s amendment, because he felt it was much better to go back to his parish and say that there was no prospect of getting a grant from the Church to keep open their schools, and that they must keep them open themselves or allow them to close. Mr Mclntyre’s amendment was then put and carried. The Dean moyed that the words “ the Canterbury portion of the ” be struck out, and the word “ this” inserted, so as to read “ for the maintenance of Church day schools in this diocese.” The clause was then put as amended and agreed to. Clause No 4 was then put—4. That the Synod earnestly hopes that the Clergy will continue to use such opportunities as may be available under the present Ordinance of imparting religious instruction to children in Government day schools. In reply to a question from the Dean, The Rev Mr Lingard said that after the meeting of ministers in the Music Hall the East Christchurch Committee allowed the ministers to visit the schools and impart religious instruction on Wednesday mornings. In addition to this, on the motion of the Rev Mr Watson, it was resolved that unsectarian education should be given; that was, that they should sink their principles. He felt he could not do this, and he had not taken any advantage of the permission, preferring to continue to give instruction in their own parish schools. He had he might say not been aware, until a few days back, that Mr Watson was giving unsectarian instruction ; but he believed now that he had given it up. The clause then passed. Clause 5 was then proposed as follows :

That the Synod recognises with satisfaction the fact that in the Westland portion of the diocese, aid is granted to church schools under strict conditions, by the Provincial Government, and that where the state of the population permits it, Church people have gladly availed themselves of the privilege. The Very Rev the Dean said he wished to contradict the very unjust and incorrect statements which had been made regarding the Church. He contended that they had always been anxious to work with the Government Education Ordinance, and not to at all come into antagonism with it. This had been repeated over and over again, and he trusted that as much publicity would be given to the denial as had been to the statement. The clause was agreed to.

The Rev Mr Cholmondeley moved, without notice —“That the memorial be included in the printed Report of the Synod.” Mr Malet seconded the motion, and said that, on behalf of the laymen, he wished to say that they were indebted to the Yen Archdeacon for the able memorial and report, one of the ablest reports brought before the Synod. [Hear, hear.] CHURCH SCHOOLS. The adjourned debate on Mr Mclntyre’s motion — That in the opinion of this Synod the terms upon which the Church property was vested in the Church of this diocese remain unfulfilled so long as no part of the revenue arising from that property is devoted to educational purposes, was resumed by Mr Malet, who said he was reluctantly compelled to ask the mover to withdraw the motion. Mr Blakiston moved —“ That the Synod pass to the next order of the day.” On the voices, Mr Blakiston’s motion was declared to be carried. Rev Mr Lingard demanded a division, which took place as follows ; clergy. Ayes 10 Noes 2 LAITY. Ayes 11 Noes 4 The motion was therefore carried, and the Synod proceeded to the next order of the day. Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned.