DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1801, 28 November 1879, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

THtTKSDAT, NOYEMBEB. 27._ The Synod met at four o'clock, his Lordship the Bishop presiding. After prayers, The minutes of the previous sitting were read and confirmed. The Dean brought up the report of the committee on the declaration and registration of church members, making certain recommendations to be reported to the G-eneral Synod. Report of select committee on the boundaries of the districts north of the Ashley, including Woodend, was brought up and read. Mr Foster gay* notice that he would move the resolution embodied in the petition on next sitting day. The Rev. Mr Knowles presented a report on the question of appointing a chaplain for seamen at Jjyttelton. Mr Grigg brought up the report on the advisability of establishing a church fire insurance society. Notices of motion in reference to the several petitions were given. On the motion of Archdeacon Harper the Bill to Amend the Financial Regulations of Westland, was read a second time. The Synod then went into committee on the Bill. , , ~ a . The Bill was reported, and tno third reading made an order for noxt sitting day. Mr Malet moved —"1. That the Church Property Trustees bo recommended, previous to granting any sum of money as a contribution towards building a churoh, parsonage house, or school, to make it one of the conditions that the buildings shall be insured in the name or names of the owner or owners of the freehold immediately on its completion, and that the insurance be kept up. 2. That the Church Property Trustees shall insure the churcheo, parsonage houses, and schools in all parishes and districts in the name of the owner or owners of the freehold, and that the parishes and districts be called

upon to pay such insurances at the end of the quarter in which the insurance shall be made. If such payments be not made by the parishes and districts, the amount shall be deducted by the Diocesan Treasurer from the next quarterly grant from the Church Property Trust to such parishes and districts; such amount to be repaid to the Church Property Trustees."

Seconded by Mr Packer. Considerable discussion ensued, several speakers among the clergy objecting to the latter part of clause providing for cases of non-payment of insurances. Mr Malet asked leave to amend his resolution, to the effect that the church officers of the parish or district be called upon to give a satisfactory guarantee for the payment of premiums; if such guarantee is not given, the case shall be reported to the Synod at its next session.

The Synod agreed to the alteration, and the resolution as amended was carried. The Rev. Mr Bowen had two motions on the order paper, which proposed to effect certain amendments in the cemetery regulations, but he withdrew them. The Rev. G. Cotterill moved—" That the Bill to amend Diocesan Statute No. 3 by the substitution of a clause for clause 14 of that statute be read a second time and considered in committee."

The motion having be;n carried, this Bill was considered in committee and reported with amendments.

Tbe Synod then took the usual adjournment at half-past six o'clock.

Cn resuming at 7.30 the Orders of the Day were proceeded with. The Diocesan Statute No. 2 Amendment Bill was re-committed, reported with amendments, and passed. The Church Society Bill was, on the motion of the Rev. W. 0. Harris, read a third tirno and passed. The Committee of the Church Work Society was appointed as follows : —Clergy— Revs. W. O. Harris, F. Knowles, W. A. Pascoe, and the Dean. Laity—Messrs Hargreaveß, Mclntyre, Parker, and Webb. The Dean moved—l. " That it is expedient that a fund be formed for the purpose of providing remuneration for the services of one or more clergymen who may be employed by the Bishop in relieving or assisting clergymen in charge of parishes or districts, who may need temporary rest." 2. " That, in order to establish this fund, the sum of £IOO, if found practicable, be sot apart for the year 1880 from the Church Property Trußt grant." 3. " That the fund, or any other fund that may be available for the purpose, be nnderthe management of the Standing Committee." The motion was carried.

The Financial Regulations Amendment Bill was re-committed, read a third time, and passed. On the motion of Mr Grigg it was resolved—" That a recommendation be made to the Goneral Synod to consider the expediency of altering Statute 1, Clause 3, and Statute 2, Clause 2, so as to give votes in Diocesan Synods only to such clergymen as hold Diocesan offices or are incumbents of parishes or curates of parochial districts, and that such clergy only shall be entitled to vote for clerioal representatives to the General Synod." The Synod then adjourned at ten minutes past eleven.