DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1034, 18 October 1877, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Wednesday, October 17. The President took his seat at 4 p.m., and opened the proceedings with prayer. REAVE OF ABSENCE, Leave of absence for one week was granted to Hon. J. B. Acland, Geraldine, and Rev. H. H. S. Hamilton, Gust. REPORTS. The report of the “New Zealand Church News ” Management Committee was laid on the table and read. On the motion of the Dean, the report of the Diocesan Pension Board, laid on the table the previous day, was read. On the motion of Canon Cotterill, the report of the Church Works Extension Committee was read. ARCHDEACON WIILOCK. The Very Rev the Dean moved—“ That this Synod desires to express its deep concern at the heavy affliction with which it has pleased God to visit the family of Archdeacon Willock in his severe and prolonged illness. The Synod acknowledges with sincere gratitude the valuable and long-continued services which the Archdeacon has rendered to this diocese as Secretary and Treasurer of the Church Property Trustees: as Diocesan Treasurer : and in other capacities ; and asks the hearty concurrence of the members of the Church throughout the diocese in the prayer, that it may please God to raise him up from his present prostration, and that, if he be not permitted to resume his public duties, he may be spared to be a comfort and blessing to Ids family. That the President be requested to communicate this resolution to Mrs Willock.” axe rtiio buic id nuuia not need many words from him to recommend the adoption of this resolution to the Synod as they must all miss the Archdeacon’s familiar form. [Hear, hear.” After referring to his first meeting with Archdeacon Willock twenty-seven years I ago on the Atlantic, and the many services he had rendered to the diocese through his

I business capacity and financial knowledge, the rev. mover felt assured that the resolution was l one which would recommend itself to the sympathies of the whole Synod. Dr Donald seconded the resolution, and as' the oldest member of the Synod, deeply sympathised with the spirit of the motion. Mr Harman desired to add a few words to' bear his testimony to the manlv way in which

the Archdeacon had spent his life in Canterbury. When first he had the honor of knowing Archdeacon Willock the necessities of Colonial life kept him worhin. as hard as ever laboring man worked—leaving off on Saturday nights to walk over the hills and conduct Divine Service in a place which would otherwise have been without it. He had had the' privilege of being acquainted with Archdeacon Willock longer than the majority of those he saw around him, and, whether as minister or layman, they would do well to copy his life. [Applause.] Mr C. Parsons wished to pay his tribute of respect to Archdeacon Willock, and spoke of his arduous labors in the early days in walking over the hills to Governor’s Bay after he had done Ids other work, to conduct Divine Service at his (Mr Parsons’s) house. The motion was put and carried unanimously.

EILEBMEBE DISTEICT. The Eev G. Cotterill moved—'“That a Select Committee bo appointed to investigate the objections made to the validity of the election of a Synodsman for the electoral district of Ellesmere. The committee to consist of the Dean of Christchurch, and Messrs Walker, Lee, Malet, and the mover.” Eev. J. W. Stack seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Rev. Gr. Cotterill moved—“ That the committeo consist of the Very Rev. the Dean, Messrs Walker, Lee, Malet, Dr. Donald, and the mover.” The motion was seconded and agreed to. DIOCESAN STATUTE NO. 5. The Dean moved—“ That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend Diocesan Statute No. 5 for the election of nominators and the appointment of pastors to parishes.” Rev. R, S. Jackson seconded the resolution., which was agreed to. The Bill was read a first time. FINANCIAL HEGULATIONS. The Rev. G-. Cotterill moved—“ That leans' oe given to bring in a Bill for amending the Financial Regulations.” Mr Malet seconded the motion, which wa& agreed to.

The Bill was read a first time, and its second reading made an order for the following day.

BTNOD EEPOET, 1876. Archdeacon Harper moved—“ That clause* No. 1 of Resolutions cn Church Fees, Synod Report, 1876, page 56, be rescinded.” Rev W. E. Paige seconded the motion. A long discussion took place in favor of doing away with the clause which imposed a. fee for burials.

The Dean, though not opposing the motion, said the question of fees had been introduc'd in 1861 by Bishop Selwyu, and thev ought first to pause before doing away with’ the clause. If it were more generally knownthat these foes went to the widows audll flrf of dWgymto, aud not t 9 tbe cleqjy*

men themselves, the strong objection now held with regard to them would be removed. After further remarks, Mr Malet suggested that a Select. Committee should be appointed to consider the whole question of fees and marriage licenses. He would move as an amendment —“ That a Select Committee, consisting of Archdeacon Harper, the Dean, Rev E. G. Penny, Mr P. Hanmcr, Dr Donald, Mr J. (Trigg, and the mover, be appointed to consider the question of the im position of burial fees and marriage licenses.” Mr J. Grigg seconded the amendment, which was carried after discussion. ABSENT MEMBER. Archdeacon Harper moved —“ That leave of absence be given for Mr. E. H. Tate, Synodsman for Timaru, until Thursday.” The motion was seconded and agreed to, INDIAN RELIEF FEND. The Rev. Q-. J. Cholmondeley moved—- “ That in the opinion of this Synod it is desirable that the offertories and collections, in all churches throughout the Diocese on Sunday next, be given to the Indian Relief Fund.” Rev. J. W. Stack seconded the motion, •which was agreed to. MISSION SERVICES. Archdeacon Dudley moved—“ That the Most Reverend the President be requested to convey the hearty thanks of this Synod to the Very Reverend Dean Bromby and the Reverend H. B. Macartney for the readiness with which they responded to the invitation of the Lord Bishop of Christchurch to conduct Mission services in this Diocese, and for the earnestness and zeal evinced by them in carrying them out.” The motion was seconded by Dr. Donald, and agreed to unanimously. DIOCESAN EDUCATION REPORT. The Diocesan Education Committee brought up their report, which was read. NOTICES OF MOTION. Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned until 4 p.m. on the following day.