PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 585, 4 May 1876, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Wednesday, Mat 3. The Synod met at eleven o’clock, and was constuted by prayer. Sederunt —Revs J. W. Cree (Moderator), C. Fraser, W. S. McGowan, W. McGregor, W. Douglas, W. R, t’ampbell, James P. Wilson, and H. B. Burnett, ministers, and Mestrs John Milu and W. Johnston, elders. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved of. The Rev W. McGregor gave notice of motion—“ That the Synod clerk be directed to intimate to conveners of committees and Presbytery clerks a month previous to next meeting the reports they are expected to bring forward.” Also of a motion (when the title deeds are brought before the Synod) —.“That the Synod instruct Presbyteries to exercise their powers—lst, concerning the nominating or approving of trustees for church land property within their bounds ; 2nd, concerning the ratifying and approving of title deeds.” . The Rev W. Douglas gave notice—” That the Synnd instruct Presbyteriea to use all diligence in carrying out the instructions of Assembly in re minister’s stipend; also Instruct clerks of Synod to forward copies of Assembly’s resolutions to treasurers of all financial committees." The Rev 0. Fraser gave notice of motion—- « That this Synod considers it to be desirable that a weekly newspaper should be established in connection with the Presbyterian Church, similar to the Southern Cross, edited by the Rev D. Cameron, and instructs the clerk to communicate with the Synod of Otago and the northern Presbyteriea of this Church on the subject.” The Rev Charles Fraser moved—“ That the thanks of this Synod be given to the retiring Moderator for the very excellent discourse which he preached on the occasion of the opening of the Synod." He weuld be very glad to see it published for distribution, ■ Seconded by the Rev Mr Douglas, and agreed to. The thanks were then conveyed to Mr McGowan by the Moderator. Rev Mr MoGowau briefly replied, and said be would have noobjection to get the discourse in question printed, after it had been fairly copied out. Before sitting down he wished to draw the attention of the Synod to the report of his speech in reference to himself and the Lyttelton church, which had appeared in one of the papers (the Press) that morning, and which had put expressions into his mouth.which he had never used, and which were calculated to lead to a wrong impression outside. The Rev Mr Douglas was also reported to have said that there was little question that as the Synod was constituted at present it could deal with the subject either in public or private. What he did say was that the Synod was just as capable of discussing the subject in public as in private, and of dealing with it in the same way—that was to say, that if it could not be discussed in public it could not in private. The Rev Mr Fraser thought they were Under considerable obligation to the paper in question for having given their proceed • ings such prominence, and he was inclined to say that he would attach no blame to the reporter for any little mistake he might have made at such a meeting. He knew of his own knowledge that speakers did not always say what they meant to say, and made use of expressions they did not intend to. He might gay from experience that he had many a time found himself making remaiks in the newspapers—according to the reports—which he had not uttered. Rev Mr McGowan agreed with the last speaker that they were thankful to the Press for the general character of the report. The matter then dropped.

The Rev Mr McGregor gave in the report of the committee appointed to examine the minute book of the Presbytery of Hokitika The Rev 0. Fraser moved—" That the report be approved, and that the Synod in attesting the record append the notes (of the report) thereon.” —Agreed to. The report of the committee on a Synodical Bustentatian Fund was called for. Rev W R. Campbell reported that Mr Andrew Duncan had ho report to give, in consequence of the departure from Christchurch of Mr Dymock, who was to have acted with him in preparing a scheme for a sustentation fund, but that he would be willing to ac’: with any gentleman the Synod might appoint, and prepare a report for the next Synod. On the motion of the Rev W. Douglas, peconded by the Rev W. McGregor, the Bynod appointed Messrs John Anderson, t>avid JOraig, and Andrew Duncan, a com mittee to re-consider this subject, and bring up a report at the next meeting of Synod. The Rev 0. Fraser gave in the report of the committee on title deeds of church pro perty. The committee recommended—lst. That a list of all the properties of the Church be prepared, all the deeds duly registered, and certificates thereof obtained. 2nd. That the following gentlemen be named as trustees for the properties of the Church, and re commended to all the congregations throughout the Synod, viz , Messrs R. Wilkin, John Anderson, and John Deans. 3rd, That the congregations be enjoined through their financial and managing committees, to com municate with the Presbytery of their bounds on all their dealings with church property, and obtain sanction of Presbytery for all plans and buildings. On the motion of the Rev Mr Douglas seconded by the Rev W. McGregor, the Synod adopted the report, re-appoiuted the committee, Mr Fraser convener, and in view of the development of the province, instructed ministers and congregations to endeavor to obtain land for sites for future churches and manse glebes in absolute conveyance.

The Moderator observed that there were some church lands in the hands of the Superintendent ; were there no funds accruing from these and, if so, who was appointed to receive them ? The Rev G. Fraser observed that he had taken steps with the object of having such lands conveyed. He was not aware that there were any funds accruing from the reserves referred to. In speaking on the question of deeds generally he stated that he hoped an Act of the Legislature would be passed, whereby their body (the Presbyterian) would be known, so far as deeds and documents were corcerned, not as the “ Free Ohurch of Scotland,” but as the " Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.” The Rev W. McGregor, according to notice, moved—“ That the Synod instruct Presbyteries to exercise their powers : Ist, concerning the nominating or approving of the local trustees for chnrchl and property within their bounds; 2nd, concerning the examination ratifying, and approral of title

deeds before execution ; and 3rd, instruct 'he committee to consider what recommendation may be made for the appointment of a procurator for the Synod.” The motion was seconded and agreed to, and the Synod adjourned until six o’clock.