GENERAL SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1926, 27 April 1880, Page 3

GENERAL SYNOD.

Monday, Apeil 26th. The Synod resumed at 4 o’clock. Several reports from select committees were brought up, papers laid on the table, and notices of motion given. On proceeding to the business on the order paper the first item was the debate postponed on the motion of Archdeacon Edwards, as follows : —“ That in the opinion of this Synod steps should be taken towards the amalgamation of all Church of England theological colleges in New Zealand, end the formation of one central college, which might well bo called the Selwyn College.” The Bishop of Wellington moved as an amendment—“ That in the opinion of this Synod steps should betaken towards the formation of a theological college for this ecclesiastical province of New Zealand.” A lengthy debate ensued, during which the Bishop of Wellington, Bishop of Nelson, Bishop of Melanesia, Archdeacon Maunsell, Mr Qrigg, and others addressed the House. The Right Hon. the Bishop of Wellington moved the following amendment —“ That inasmuch as—l, The inexpediency of a central theological seminary is felt strongly by many members of jthis Synod. 2, That there are at present institutions open to all qualified students from any part of New Zealand, specially St. John’s College, Auckland, by the terms of its trust. 3, That the establishment of any new central theological seminary would involve an expenditure at present beyond the means of the Church. I. That the interest of theological education would best be promoted under present circumstances by the establishment of exhibitions which would enable intending candidates to take a degree at the University of New Zealand, and afterwards to continue their theological studies, together with practical knowledge of parochial and missionary work, either with experienced clergy, or in the centres of population. Such theological exhibitions to be capable of being held in England, on condition (on due security) of the holders returning to hold a cure in New Zealand, 11. That the authorities of all provincial and diocesan institutions for the encouragement of theological studies, be requested to make the standard of their examinations as much as possible equal to that of the mother Church.”

At this stage the debate was'interrupted by the evening adjournment. On resuming at 7.30, The Synod turned to the Orders of the Day, when the suspended debate on the motion of Mr Tanored, anent the' management of St, John’s College, Auckland, was resumed.

The motion in question was as follows :

“ That the recommendation of the Select Committee on the memorial of the Synod of the diocese of Auckland bo adopted by the Synod, namely—‘ That in order to give the Diocesan Synod Of Auckland a voice in the management of St. John’s College, the six Governors now appointed by the Bishops should be appointed by the Synod of the diocese of Auckland, and that the authority to appoint six Governors delegated to that Synod may be hereafter resumed by the General Synod, if the General Synod shall see fit.’ ”

The Rev. Mr Dudley moved an amendment to the following effect—“ That the prayer of the Synod of the Diocese of Auckland relative to St. John’s College—namely, that provision should be made for the election by the Synod of the Diocese of Auckland of three governors in addition to those nominated by the bishops of this ecclesiastical province, bo complied with.”

On the question being put, _ the original motion was rejected, and a division taken on Mr Dudley’s motion, which was negatived, the actual result of the division being— Bishops : ayes, 31; noos, 4. Clergy : ayes, 13 ; noes, 6. Laity : ayes, 14 ; noes, 2. The Synod then went into committee on the Bill to amend statute No. 4, the Ten. Archdeacon Stock in charge of the Bill. The text of the measure was as follows : Preamble—Whereas it is expedient to define the term “ Communicant,” as used in the 6th section of statute No. 4. Be it therefore resolved by the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity of the Church of the Province of New Zealand in Synod assembled, as follows : 1. In the 11th section of statute No. 4 the following words shall be inserted after the word “ Parish ” in the fourth line of that section —

“ The word ‘ Communicant,’ for the purposes of this statute, shall be taken to mean any man of the ago of twenty one years or upward who shall have subscribed a declaration in the churchwardens’ book that ho is a communicant of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, commonly called the Church of England.” After discussion, but without any amendment having been made, the Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again. At this stage the Synod returned to the quedion of establishing a Central Theological College, the debate on which was interrupted at the evening adjournment. The Bishop of Nelson, who had been in possession of the House at that time, continued his remarks, and was followed by the Rev. Canon Ootterill and the Bishop of Dunedin. On the motion of the Dean of Christchurch the debate was adjourned, and made an order of the day for 7.30 o’clock next day. The Synod then adjourned at 11.15.