DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 738, 31 October 1876, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Monday, October 30. The President took the chair at 4 p.m. ELECTION OP STNODSMAN. The President stated that Mr P. H. Wilson having resigned, he had issued a fresh writ on the 6th October, but up to now no return had been made. CHURCH NEWS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Rev B. A. Lingard brought up the report of the committee of management of the Church News, which was read. MAORI MISSION. The Rev R. S. Jackson moved—“ That the report of the Rev J. W. Stack on the Maori Mission be read,” The motion was agreed to, and the report read by the clerical secretary. REVISION OP STANDING ORDERS. Mr Hanmer moved—“ That the Synod go into Committee to consider the following resolutions : “That the recommendations of the Subcommittee appointed by the Standing Committee to consider the best method of revising the standing orders be adopted":— “That Standing Order No 5 be altered as follows :—That after the word ‘ Committees ’ the following words be inserted—‘or at his request for any other good and sufficient reason.’ ” “ That after Standing Order No 25, the following additional Standing Order be adopted, (that is to say)—' In case where a ballot shall be taken for members of committee, and the number of persons elected shall be less than the number required as a minimum for the committee, the President may declare the number of votes recorded in each order for the respective members nominated.’ ” “ That Standing Order No 29 be altered by the addition of the following words—--1 All members present at the time shall be required to vote.’ ’’ “That Standing Order No 32 be altered by the addition of the following words—--1 The principle of draft statutes or draft regulations shall be considered on the second reading.’ ” “ That Standing Order No 36 be altered as follows—‘That after the word “regulation" in the second line the following words be inserted, “ shall be passed.” ’ ” “ That Standing Order No 40 be altered by the addition of the following words—- ‘ unless otherwise ordered.’ ” “ That Standing Order No 41 be altered as follows— ‘ That the words “ Provincial Council of the Province of Canterbury” be struck out, and the words “ Legislative Council of New Zealand ” be substituted in lien thereof.’ ’’ “ That Standing Order No 42 be altered by the omission of the words and figures following—* (I) Standing Orders; (3) Acts of Synod; and (4) Trusts.’ ’’ The motion was agreed to on the voices. The Synod in committee; Mr G. L. Lee in the chair. In committee, Mr Hanmer moved clause 1. Rev Mr Cholmondeley moved as an amendment —“ That all the words after the words * at his request,’ be admitted.” The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. Clauses 2,8, 4,5, 6,7, and 8, were agreed to. On the latter, the Primate moved the omission of the words from the standing order “ by the Bishop,” which was agreed to. The amendments were reported to the Synod and adopted. PERMANENT BORROWING FUND. The following resolution, standing in the name of Mr Mellish, was postponed until next sitting day, viz, :—“ That this Synod, recognising the desirability of establishing a permanent borrowing fund for the future maintenance and building of churches and parsonages throughout this diocese, steps be taken during this session to devise the best means of carrying out the above object,” REGULATIONS FOE REPAIRS OF PARSONAGES. Rev Canon Cotterill moved —“ That leave be given to bring in a Bill to repeal clauses 4, 5,6, and 7of the 1 Regulations for the Repairs of Parsonages,’ and to introduce certain clauses in their place.” Rev Mr Cholmondeley seconded the motion. Leave was given, the Bill read a first time, and the second reading fixed for next sitting day. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The Dean of Christchurch moved—l. “ That this Synod deems it incumbent on all its members, both lay and clerical, that, if they are unable to be present at the opening of the annual session, they should write a letter to the President, explaining the reason of their absence. 2. “That this Synod is further of opinion that if any one of its members should wish to absent himself, or should be aware of any circumstances likely to prevent his attendance at more than one sitting consecutively, he should ask, either personally or through another member, for leave of absence for such period as he may think necessary.’ it. “ That the principles of the foregoing resolutions be embodied in Standing Orders.” After some slight discussion, in which Archdeacon Wilson, Rev H. 6. Cocks, and Messrs Malet and Donald, spoke against the motion, the Dean obtained leave to withdraw the first clause, and afterwards the other clauses.

SELECT COMMITTEE. Rev R. s. Jackson moved—“ That the Select Committee on the financial system be increased by the addition of the names of Mr Fendall and Rev F. A. Hare.” The Rev. W. H. Cooper moved the addition of the name of the Rev H. C. M. Watson to the committee. Mr Malet moved—“ That the number of the committee be increased to nine." Mr Cowlishaw seconded the motion. Rev Mr Cooper moved—“ That the number of the committee be ten, and that the names of Revs F. A. Hare and H. O. M. Watson and Mr Fendall be added,”. Rev Mr Preston seconded the amendment moved by Rev Mr Cooper. It was agreed to divide the amendment, so as to put the question of the increase of the committee separate from the names of those to be added. The President declared the question to be carried in favor of ten members. A division was demanded with the following result, AYES. NOES. Clergy ... 16 Clergy ... 7 Laity ... 6 Laity ... 21 The amendment was therefore lost. The President having put the question that all the words after the word “increased” be left out, which was agreed to, the motion of Rev Mr Jackson stood as follows: “ That the Select Committee on the financial system be increased.” Dr Donald now moved—“ That the Synod proceed to the next question.” Mr Malet seconded this, which, after a Blight discussion on a point of order, was agreed to on the voices. “ THE CHURCH NEWS.” Rev Canon Cotterill moved—“ That the question of Mr Malet, and the answer of the manager of the Church News, contained in the minutes of the meeting of Synod, October 25th, 1876, be expunged from the minutes.” He did not think it was necessary for him to say much. His idea was to enable the Synod to rectify what he believed a majority of the members thought was a mistake. A charge was made by one member of the Synod against another member of holding unsound theological views. That gentleman had a perfect right to hold this opinion regarding the editor of the Church News , but it was inadvisable to place that on the minutes of Synod. Of course he did not wish to go into the matter of the charge, that was beside the question, but he trusted the majority of the Synod would agree with him in altering a mistake. Mr Malet rose to a point of order. He, asked the President to rule whether under the 17th standing order Canon Cotterill was not out of order. That standing order provided that no subject which had been already discussed and decided could be brought up again. The President—Under these circumstances I rule that Canon Cotterill is out of order under the standing order quoted by Mr Malet, The resolution cannot be moved. The resolution was therefore not put. ADJOURNMENT. Rev W. H, Cooper moved—" That the Synod adjourn over Wednesday next, being All Saints), Day.” Rev HrE. Carlyon seconded the motion. Considerable discussion ensued on the matter. The motion was negatived on the voices. ORDERS OP THE DAY. On the first order of the day being called, the Synod went into committee on the motion of the Dean on “ Bill to amend Diocesan Statute for regulating the formation of parishes and the appointment of parish officers, No 4, 1866, amended 1875. In committee several clauses of the Bill, with introduced clauses, were amended after considerable discussion. Progress was then reported, and leave obtained to sit again on Wednesday next. Notices of motion having been given the Synod adjourned until 4 p.m, to-day.