DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1793, 19 November 1879, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The eleventh session of the Diocesan Synod of Christchurch commenced yesterday, being opened at 2 o’clock at the College Library, Present —The Most Rev. the Lord Bishop of Christchurch, the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch, Yen. Archdeacons Harper and Dudley, Revs. Cotterill, P. 0. Anderson, O. Bowen, F. G. Brittain, G. J. Cholmondely, O. Coates, H. B. Cocks, H. Collins, Davidson, Dunkley, H. E- East, W*. H. Elton, F. Clinton, H. G. Gould, D. O. Hampton, W. O. Harris, W. Harper, F. R. Inwood, E. A. Lingard, G. P. Mutu, O. J. Merton, Mortimer, W. A. Paige, W. A. Pascoc, E. G. Penny, Sheldon, J. W. Stack, J. Townsend, H. O. M. Watson, A. O. Wright. Laity—Messrs J. L.'Hobden, O. Cuff, R. J. S. Harman, H. J. Tanored, O. R. Blakiston, W. H. Hargreaves, C. T. Dudley, C. Parsons, F. G. Stedman, H. S. Smith, E. J. T. Ford, W. H. W. Hamilton, L. Harper, Mayo, A. F. N. Blakiston, Hobbs, Packer, G. MTntye, H. B. Gresson, Dr. Irving, and J. Tipping. OPENING OP THE SESSION, The roll having been called over, and the gentlemen present answering to their names, his Lordship declared the session opened. president's address. The President (Most Rev. the Primate) then delivered the usual address, in which he referred in terms of deep regret to the death of Mr T, M. Hassal. The report of the commission on financial regulations would come before the Synod, and would demand their special attention, dealing as it did with the important question of providing for the demands for clergymen. In reference to which his Lordship remarked that they had no right to expect a supply from the mother church of well educated and experienced clergymen in proportion to their wants, or that those who did join would always satisfy the requirements ; therefore he pointed out they had to depend largely on themselves. His Lordship then referred to other matters claiming' attention, and in reference to the Cathedral expressed the hope that the time was not far distant when that building would be sufficiently advanced to admit at least of Divine worship being conducted within its walls. The completion of the entire structure must be left to time. TOTE OP THANKS.

On the motion of the Very Rev. the Dean a vote of thanks was passed to his Lordship for the very admirable address just delivered, and it was resolved that the address be published among the documents of the Synodical session. PAPHBB PBEBENTED. The President laid upon the table various papers, including the report of the church work extension committee, the Cathedral commission report, and report on diocesan education. APPOINTMENTS. The Rev. W. E. Paige and Mr Augustus E. N. Blakiston were appointed secretaries for the session. CHAIBMAN OP COMMITTEE. Mr O. E. Blakiston was appointed to the office of chairman of committee. hottbb op meeting. It was resolved that during the session the the Synod should meet at four o’clock each day, adjourning at 6 30 each evening, and meeting again at 7.30. NOTICES OP MOTION. A large number of motions were given for the day following. PETITION. The Rev. P. Anderson presented a petition from the Church of the Good Shepherd, Phillipstown, protesting against.being annexed to the parish of St, John’s. CATHEDRAE commission. The report of the cathedral commission was read at follows : REPOUT OF THE CATHEDRAE COMMISSION, The Cathedral commissioners having so recently as May last submitted a report to Synod, find but little to enlarge upon at present, they propose therefore to confine themselves now to a short account of work done in connection with tho Cathedral building during the last six months, also work in hand, embodied in the following repoit by Mr Mountfort, tho archi- ** November 15th, 1879. tf Since my last report in May tho works have not made so much progress as was then in>ted for the six months preceding that date. 1 hey have never entirely ceased, although, in accordance with instructions, the number of workmen was diminished, but more men have been lately taken on tho work, and there are now as many as can be profitably employed upon the particular work in hand. The whole of the northwest pier of the crossing, or Barker emumn, has been worked and is more than half hunt; toe last of the nave arches on the north Ride is now being turned, and so soon as this is done the spandrels and surcharges on the two last arches on this side will be built up, and the whole or the nave will then be completed on both Bides up to the clerestory. The two arches across tho

eastern ends of the aisles of nave which will connect the great piers with the transept walls ore now being worked, and the stone is all delivered for the great arch across the nave. It is expected that the works now in hand will all be completed within one month. (Signed) “B. W. Modntpoet, “Resident Architect.” The_ works above referred to have been of necessity carried on by day labor, owing to the paucity of funds received from subscriptions The successful floating in London of the Church Property Trust Loan of .£50,000, of which -£SOOO is available for Cathedral purposes, will now enable the Commission to proceed vigorously with the prosecution of the building. They have therefore given instructions to Mr Mountfort to have the works now in hand, inclusive of the rebutting arches at the east ends of the nave aisles, finished at once, so as to admit of the Commission shortly letting one or more contracts for the completion of the nave, which it is expected will be roofed and ready for holding Divine service in during the next twelvemonths.