GENERAL SYNOD

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1918, 17 April 1880, Page 3

GENERAL SYNOD

Fbiday, Apeiii 16. The Most Rev. the Primate took the chair at four o'clock. Before proceeding to the business of the day, His Lordship informed the Synod of wha< appeared to be an irregularity in their proceedings up to the present, and stated that it would be necessary to take some steps to set themselves right. According to the_ rules controlling the proceedings of Synod, it was required that there should be at the first meeting a quorum of two bishops, six clergy, and nine laymon. It appeared, however, that on the opening day of the session one gentleman was present about whom doubts had arisen as to whether he was really a member of the Synod. He himself had telegraphed to Napier, stating that he might not be able to attend this session of Synod, and in consequence of that the Standing Committee proceeded to the election of another gentleman in his place. Yesterday he (his Lordship) received a notice of the resignation of Mr Caleb Whitefoord, and the appointment in his place of Mr C. C. Bowen. As far, therefore, as he could see there was no quorum on the first day of the Synod, in which case the proceedings up to the present would be invalid. It had been suggested to remove the difficulty by having the roll called over of those present, then declare the Synod duly constituted for the despatch of business, and have the minutes of the two last days read over and confirmed. This was the action which had been suggested by their legal advisers. The Bishop of Waiapu said he had an explanation to make regarding the member in question, which might, he thought, alter tho position of the case. Ab a matter of fact, Mr Caleb Whitefoord had not sent in his resignation, bnt sent by telegraph what might be considered an offer to resign, it being doubtful whether he would be able to attend the meeting of Synod. On receipt of this telegram he (the Bishop of Waiapu) telegraphed to certain gentlemen in Christchurch who might be willing to represent Waiapu, and the Standing Cnmrni'tea, acting on the assumption that Mr Whitefoord had rPßigned, appointed one of those gentlemen, Mr Bowen, in his place. It now turned out that they were wrong —the Standing Committee should not have accepted Mr Whitofoord's telegram as a resignation, and Mr Whitefoord after all did attend the m -eting, whilst Mr Bowen had received no official intimation of his appointment. He submitted, therefore, that Mr Whitefoord was still a member, and tho apment of the Standing Committee was null and void. After some diseuesion, during which ,the Rev. J. C. Andrew pointed out the desirability of keeping on the safe side, so as to avoid the danger of the legality of their proceedings being called in question thereafter, The Synod resolved to adopt the suggestion of the Primate. The record of the proceedings of the last two days was then read over, and on the motion of the Rev. J. O. Andrew, duly confirmed.

A question then arose as to who was to be considered the representative of Waiapu, Mr Whitefoord or Mr Bowen, and a suggestion waß thrown out that the first-named gentleman having returned to Gisborne, a statute ehould be passed declaring Mr C. O. Bowen the member for Waiapu. Prior to this, however, it had been proposed to appoint a committee to consider the question and report, opinions being divided us to which course should be adopted. The standing orders having been suspended, The Synod ultimately resolved—" That a committee be appointed to consider the disputed return to the diocese of Waiapu ; such committee to consist of the Bishop of Waiapu, Mr H. B. Greeson, Mr Maude, the Rev. J. O. Andrew, Mr H. J. Tancred, Mr Acland, and the mover."

The Primate, at this stage, announced that H, B. Greeson, Esq., had been appointed lay representative of the Melanesian Mission.

Certain papers having been laid on the table, the Synod proceeded to motions on the order paper. The Bishop of Auckland moved, and it was resolved—" That a committee be appointed to consider and report upon the memorial of the Synod of the Diocese of Auckland respecting the government of St. John's College such committee to consist of the Most Rev. the Primate, the Bishop of Wellington, the Bishop of Dunedin, the Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, Mr H. J. Tancred, Mr C. Hunter Browne, and the mover." The Bishop of Nelson moved for—" The appointment of a committee to report on the workiag of the Board of Theological Studies." This was seconded by the Dean of Ohristchurch and carried, and the committee was then named ; and the mover gave notice that on the report of the above select committee being brought up, he would move the appointment of the Board of Theological Studies. The following motion, which stood in tho name of the Bishop of Nelson, was postponed —"That application be made to the Legislature to introduce an amendment in the Land Transfer Act whereby its provisions may be made applicable to the bodies affected by the Religious and Charitable Trusts Act, 1865, so that property may be transferred to bodies of trustees, duly appointed under the Religious and Charitable Trusts Act." Leave was given to introduce a " Bill to Amend the Nominators Statute, 1877, and on the motion of the Bishop of Nelson, was read a first time, and the second reading mado an order of the day for Wednesday next. The Rev. J. Leighton moved—" That it be an instruction to the printing committee to append to the report of the Synod a list of the clergy of the respective dioceses, the names of their cures, and date of appointment."

Seconded by the Ten. Archdeacon Corvett, and carried.

The Bishop of Auckland moved, and it was agreed to—" 1. That a committee appointed to examine the accounts and reports of the several Trust Boards under the control of the Synod, and to consider generally the state in which the properties are, and the way in which they are administered. 2. Such committee to consist of the Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelson, the Bishop of Waiapu, Mr Fancourt, Mr Tancred, Mr Quick, Mr Rice, and the mover." The Right Rpv. the Bishop of Auckland moved —" That the report of tl e Governors of St. John's College, Auckland, be referred to the committee appointed to consider and report upon the Memorial of the Auckland Diocesan Svnod, respecting the government of St. John's College." Seconded by the Bishop of Waiapu, and carried. The Ven. Archdeacon Mauneell moved—- " That the resolution just passed respecting the Burial Service be forwarded by the Primate of this Ecclesiastical Province to hiß G-race the Archbishop of Canterbury." Mr Collins seconded the motion, which was carried, with the omission of the words " just passad " in the first line. Moved hy the Bishop of Auckland, and carried " That all memorials and applications presented to the S?nod relaling to Trust properties be referred to the Trusts' Committee, to be reported on by them to the Synod." Archdeacon Edwards m^ved—" For leave to bring in a Bill to amend statute No. 4, clause 11, by the omission in lines G and 7, after the word ' upwards,' of the ' resi dent in the parish,' and hy the addition after the words ' churchwarden's book ' of the words ' of the parish church ho a'tmds,' and by the addition at the end of the clauso of the following words : ' Provided that such registration shall bo confined to one parish.' " Leave was given to bring in the Bill, which was then reisd a first time, and the second reading inado an order of the day for Monday next.

The Eight Eev. the Bishop of Auckland moved —" 1. That a Saleot Committee bo appointed to consider and renort upon the memorial received from the Native Church Boards of tho Diocese of Auckland. 2. Such committee to consist of the Bishop of Wellington, tho Bishop of Wi-.iapu, Archdeacon Williams, Archdeacon Clarke, Archdeacon Maunscll, Rev. 8. Williams, and the mover." Notices of motion were given by Archdeacon Stock, the Bishops of Auckland, Nelson, and Dunedin, Archdeacon Edwardß, and Archdeacon Butt. The Synod then adjourned till the usual hour on Monday.