DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2084, 28 October 1880, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

WBDNBSDAr, OOTOBBB 27.

The Primate took the chair at 4 p.m. The Primate stated that no Synodsman had been elected for the Gust parochial district, although, as provided by Diocesan Statute No. 3, two writs had been issued. The onus of filling the vacancy devolved, therefore, on the Synod. The Bev. 35. A. Dingard presented a petition from the Cemetery Board, praying that the Church Property Trustees pay over the sum of £IOO to the Cemetery Board, that amount being the proceeds of sale of a portion of the Cemetery reserve to the Drainage Board.

The petition was read and received. The Bev. F. Knowles moved—“ For leave to bring in a Bill to amend Financial Begulation T., sec. 1, by the omission of the words ‘ parishes and parochial districts* in the first line, and the insertion of the words ‘ churches and other places where divine service is regularly held* in lieu thereof.” This motion was agreed to, and the second reading was fixed for this day. The Bov. W. O. Harris moved—“ That the resolutions concerning the ‘New Zealand News,’ report p. 89, be amended as follows: Besolution 1 to be omitted, resolution 2 to be numbered 1, resolution 3 to be numbered 2, resolution 4 to be omitted, resolution 5 to be numbered 3.” This motion was also agreed to.

Mr Grigg meved—“ 1. That, in pursuance of a resolution of this Synod commending to the governing body of Christ’s College the consideration of the importance of enlarging or rebuilding the Christ’s College chapel, a committee of this Synod be appointed to confer with that body, and to promote the carrying out of tho work. That tho committee sit during the recess.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Grigg moved further—“ That the committee do consist of nine, as follows :—The Bevs. J. W. Stack, F. G. Brittan, F. A. Hare, Messrs J. Ournow, J. E. Parker, F. G. Stedman, T. Gordon, W. H. Hargreaves, and the mover.” This motion was agreed to. The Very Bev. the Dean moved—“ That this Synod adopts the principles laid down in the following resolution adopted by the General Synod on May 3rd last—viz., ‘ That it is desirable that, as far as possible, every young clergyman, before being appointed to a separate cure, should first have gone through a course of training in parochial work under an incumbent; and that, as a practical step towards this end, it is advisable that any funds which may be raised for providing the services of assistant curates should be placed in the hands of incumbents of parishes, in order that they may be in a position to choose and pay their own curates.’” After considerable discussion the motion was carried on the voices.

The Bev. G. J. Cholmondeloy moved—- “ That leave be granted to bring in a Bill to amend the regulations for the repairs of parsonages.” Leave having been granted, the Bill was read a first time. The second reading was fixed for next day. The Bev. G. J. Cholmondeley moved—

" That clause 2 of the resolutions on the insurance of church buildings be rescinded, and the following substituted That the Church Property Trustees shall insure the churches, 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 insurance before the end of the quarter in which the insurance shall be made. If the churchwardens or church officers of the pariah or district fail to pay the premium, the amount shall be deducted by the Diocesan treasurer from the next quarterly grant from the Church Property Trust to such parish or district.”

After considerable discussion Mr O. R. Blakiston moved as an amendment—“ That the Church Property Trustees be recommended to address a special communication to the Church officers who have defaulted by neglecting to insure their churches, in conformity with the regulations of Synod, urging them to pay arrears due on insurance accounts, as alto to meet future reasonable demands made by the Church Property Trustees for insurance.” This provoked fresh discussion. Ultimately, amidst cries of “ time and “question,” both motion and amendment were withdrawn. At this stage the Synod adjourned till 7.30. EVENING SITTING. The Synod resumed at 7.30. The Dean moved —“ That the Bill to amend the Nominators’ Statute, No. 5, for the purpose of bringing the same into conformity with the provisions of the amended Statute No. 5 of the General Synod, be read a second time, and that it be considered in Committee.” This was agreed to. On the motion of the Very Rev. the Dean, Mr H. B. Webb was appointed Chairman of Committees, in the absence of Mr C. R. Blakiston. The Synod then went into Committee. The Synod having resumed, the Chairman reported the Bill as amended in committee.

Mr F. de C. Malet moved —“ That the sum of one hundred pounds per annum bo set apart for a Fifth Oanonry, from the Dean and Chapter Fund.” After some discussion, the motion was amended as follows :—“ That in the event of it being found practicable and desirable to appoint a Principal of the Upper Department of Christ’s College, the sum of ono hundred pounds per annum from the Dean and Chapter Estate be set apart for a Fifth Oanonry, if held in conjunction with the office of Priuoipal.” The motion, as amended, was carried. Mr F. de O. Malet moved, and it was resolved—“ That the annual stipend of the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch be increased by the sum of one hundred pounds from the Dean and Chapter Estate from the datq of his resignation of his divinity professorship at Christ’s College.” Mr F. de c. Malet moved—“Thatin order to make temporary provision for the liabilities incurred by the Cathedral Commission for the completion of the nave and necessary fittings, in order to enable it to be opened for divine service, the Church Property Trustees, as administrators of the Dean and Chapter Estate, bo authorised to raise a temporary loan for a gum not exceeding £4OOO, for the purpose

of meeting the same, should the contributions of the public not be sufficient for the purpose; and that the Church Trustees be authorised to apply the surplus income of the Dean and Chapter Estate in payment "f interest on moneys to be so temporarily raised] and that no further expenditure be incurred upon the building, or for any other purpose connected with the Cathedral, except at the cost of private benefactors, so long as any sum advanced under this resolution remains unliquidated.” A somewhat protracted discusp ion ensued as to the action of the Cathedral Commission in having entered into contracts for £12,588, whilst the funds at its disposal were £BOOO, during which Mr Grigg made some severe remarks, which were rebutted by Mr L. Harper and the Hon. H. B. Qresson. Mr Mclntyre moved—” That all the words to ' purpose,’ in the eleventh line, be struck out, and the following substituted : —' That the Church Property Trustees, as administrators of the Doan and Chapter Estate, be authorised to raise a temporary loan, not exceeding £4OOO, for the erection of the Cathedral, and finding the necessary fittings for the same.” On being put to the vote, the proposed alteration was negatived on the voices. Mr Malot having replied, the motion as originally proposed was carried on the voices. Mr F. de c. Malet moved, and it was agreed —“ That, having regard to the advances which have been made, and are now proposed to be made, towards the building of the Cathedral, and for other purposes, from the Dean and Chapter Estate, it would be highly imprudent to raise any further moneys, or render this estate liable for any further expenditure for the above object.” Several notices of motion were given, and the Synod adjourned at 11.20.