DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2670, 27 October 1882, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Thursday, October 25.

The Synod met at 4 p m., at which hoar the president took the chair. On the motion of the Yen, Archdeacon Harper, leave of absence for the session was granted to Colonel Eiohbaum, The Rev. Canon Cholmondeley moved—- “ For leave to bring in a Bill to incorporate a resolution, headed Heathcote Cemetery, appended to the Buies for the management of cemeteries (Synod Report, page 67) in the cemetery regulations.” The resolution was seconded and agreed to. The Bill was read a first time, and the second reading fixed sis an order of the day for to-morrow.

The Bev. Canon Ootterill moved —“ For leave to bring in a Bill to amend ‘ the instructions to Church officers appointed by the Bishop to superintend registration in parochial districts ’ by substituting in Clause 2, Section F, for the words ‘ the 15th of October, 1 the words ‘ the first Monday in the November following,’ ’’ Leave was given, the Bill was read a first time, and tho second reading made an order of tho day for to-morrow. The Bev. Canon Ootterill moved—“ For leave to bring in a Bill to amend Diocesan statute for regulating the election of Synodsmen; for the purpose of adding to schedule B the following words— * The district of St, Matthew’s one Synods man, the district of Mount Pleasant and Albury one Synodsman.’” Leave was given, the Bill read a first time, and the second reading fixed for to-morrow.

The Dean, for Mr Mclntyre, moved—“ For leave to bring in a Bill to amend the regulations relating to the capitular body.” Leave was granted, the Bill read a first time, and its second reading and committal made an order of the day for to-morrow. At this stage of the proceedings, Hon J. B. A. Aoland said he desired to ask the clerical secretary to inform the Synod what had been done. There was such a great deal of general conversation going on that members had no idea as to what resolutions had been carried.

The Clerical Secretary informed the Synod ae to what had been done.

Mr H. R. Webb moved—“ That the report of the Fendalton Severance Petition Committee be adopted.” At the request of Mr Malet, the petition, oonnter petition, and report of the select committee were read. The latter recommended that the prayer of the petition be granted, subject to a slight alteration in the proposed boundaries. Bev. F. Knowles seconded the motion.

Iha Hon. J, B. A. Aoland pointed oat that the resolution, if carried, would not constitute the parish, as it merely adopted the report of the committee. . Yery Eev. the Dean agreed with Mr Aoland, A definite resolution that the parish be now constituted containing the boundariei of the proposed parish, was required. Mr Webb would do this at a later stage ot the sitting. Mr L. Harper said he desired to point out that the committee had not taken the evidence of residents on the Biooarton side of the parish. Betides this, there was considerable opposition from Fendalton residents themselves to'the proposed severance of the parish. He should ask the Synod to reject Mr Webb’s resolution or refer it back to the committee for further information.

Yery Bev. the Dean moved as an amendment—“ That the petition be referred baok to the committee.”

Bev. Canon Oholmondeley seconded the amendment.

Bev. 0. Bowen said that, while ha was not a partisan, he w°s opposed to the severance of the parish, on the ground that it was premature.

Esv. E. A. Lingard wished to know whether there were any formal objections lodged by the incumbent and vestry of Biooarton. If there had not, then they were rather late in the day. Bev. T. Flavell said that neither from Fapanni nor Biooarton had there oome any objection. [Cries of “ Divide.”] Bev. O. Bowen said this was quite true, but the Bioearton people had waited to hear from the Fendalton portion of the parish. This part had not declared itself in favor of the severance, but rather the other way. Rev. F. Q. Brittan, as interested in the matter, would not oppose the severance, and would welcome a third minister if be ooald be supported. Bev, Mr Ohaffers-Welsh supported the remission of the report once more to the committee.

After some further discussion, Mr Webb accepted the amendment, which was put and carried. Mr Ford brought up the report of the Select Committee on tha desirableness or otherwise of granting leases of church property under what is known as the Glasgow system, which was read. The report recommended the adoption of the system under certain conditions.

Bev. Canon Oholmondeley alio brought up a report from the Select Committee appointed to consider the desirableness of transferring certain properties from the Diocesan Board of Trustees to the Church Property Trustees, reporting against the proposal. Mr T. 8. Weston moved—“ That the Synod go into committee to consider the following resolutions : —l, That in the opinion of this Synod two experienced accountants should be appointed by the Standing Committee for the following purpises: (a) To investigate the whole of the Trust and other accounts under the management and supervision of the Synod solely or in conjunction with any other body, and to prepare balancesheets with statements of liabilities and assets; (b) Te specially report within nine months upon the accounts referred to and the condition and management of the several Trnst estates and properties over which the Synod has control, or in which it is directly and indirectly interested ; (o) to furnish an actuarial report of the various properties held by, or on behalf of, the Fpisoopal Church in the provincial district of Canterbury. 2. That the Standing Committee be requested to appoint a barrister of standing —not being a member of the Synod, or the solicitor to a Church or Educational Trust—to advise the accountants upon all legal points that may arise in the coarse of the investigation. 3. That pending the investigation referred to, no special iund shall be voted by this Synod “ for the purpose of paying oS outstanding liabilities in connection with the Cathedral or for the maintenance of Divine worship therein.” 4. That the Stand ing Committee be requested to furnish every member of the Synod with a copy of the balance-sheet and report before referred to ac soon as possible after their receipt.” Mr Malet seconded the motion.

Bev. Canon Oholmondeley, Bev. H. A. Lingard, Very Bev. the Dean, Mr Meares, and Mr Ford, opposed the motion of Mr Weston,

Mr O. B. Blakiston suggested an amend-

ment to the effect that a statement of accounts with regard to the various church properties should be prepared by an accountant, and printed, so as to be laid on the tnble at the opening of the next session of fr-ynod. Bev. Mr Mortimer said that he would submit an amendment as follows :—“That in view of the vagna and fabulous ideas of the extent of the Church estates the Church Property Trustees be instructed to prepare a record of how the Church became possessed of her property, and the'extent of the same, and that the' Church Property Trustees be requested to give as much publicity ac possible.to the record.” Mr Hamilton said that the outside public had no right whatever to know anything about their property. Whatever property they had in the district they had paid for ont of their own pockets. If the Church, were a national ohnroh then, perhaps, the public might ask for particulars, but they might as well claim to go into the private affairs of any large landholders in the colony. He should vote against the motion of Mr Weston.

After some further discussion, Mr Weston asked leave to withdraw hi* motion. If next session the accounts were not prepared in a way the majority of the Synod felt was sufficient, he should again bring forward his resolutionThe motion was then withdrawn.

Mr Grigg moved—" That the commission on insurances bo re-appointed, and requested to oontinue their enquiries into the question of assurance of Ohi.roh buildings vested In the Church Property Trustee*, by the trustees themselves, and to report to the next session of Synod any further information hearing on the subject which they may be able to obtain.”

Rev. S'. Snowies seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Synod adjourned at 6.30 p m. On resuming, the Synod proceeded to the Orders of the Day. Mr Mclntyre moved the second reading of the Bill to amend the Cathedral Statute, 1880, by the addition of the following additional proviso to clause 3—“ Provided also that whenever a vacancy eholl occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, the said joint body shall not proceed to an election to ill such, vacancy until so directed by the Synod.” The motion was agreed to, a*d the Bill considered in committee.

On the suggestion of the Bsv. B. A. Liagard, the words “a vacancy shall occur” were struck out and the following substituted, “a canonry shall become vacant," The proviso was then agreed to and the Bill reported to the Synod. ' The resolutions relating to the unused portion of the cemetery reserve wers further considered in committee. Mr B. J. T. ford resumed the debate on the following resolution proposed by the by the Very Bev. the Doan“ That, subject to tho reservation made in the preceding resolution, it is expedient that the whole of the annual income derivable from the sale or lease of such unused portions be devoted to the establishment and maintenance of Chinch day schools.’’ The Ten, Archdeacon Harper moved the insertion of the word “ parochial” before the word “ Church."

The Bev. 0.. Bo won said he would press an amendment, moved at the previous sitt'ng, to omit the words “ Establishment and.” He desired to guard against the funds being frittered away in buildings. Mr Mclntyre hoped the amendment would be carried, and also that the word “ subsidising” would bo substituted for “maintenance.’’

Mr Harman supported this suggestion. It would be better first to decide the general principle and cany cut the details afterwards, He expressed his satisfaction that the Synod had at last moved in the direction of primary education. He had years ago endeavoured to induce it to take such a course.

The Very Bev. the Dean proposed that the word “purposes” be substituted for ‘‘establishment and maintenance.”

Mr Malct hoped the Synod would not accept the Dean’s suggestion, as the word “ purposes” was too indefinite. The Bev. Mr Bowen’s amendment was put and carried.

Mr Tanored was not in favor of the proposal to insert the word "parochial.” The fund was only large enough to support one good central school in Christchurch, There was the nucleus of such an institution in the Cathedral school, which was to all intents and purposes a primary one, and St. Michael’s schoolroom might bo used for the purpose, - The Yen. Archdeacon Dudley thought it would be unfair to tho centres of population in the country districts, to let the rich city of Christchurch absorb all this fund.

The Rev. Mr Mortimer supported the insertion of the word “ parochial." Mr H. B. Webb opposed the amendment.

The Bev. Canon Oholmondeley hoped two words would be inserted in the resolution, namely, “ parochial” and " primary.” The more widely the schools were distributed the greater the benefit would be. He suggested the adoption of the words “ paroohi&l day schools” for “imparting primary education.”

Mr W. J. W. Hamilton wished to oorrect an impression which seemed to exist that the Church property estate was derived from the State. They had paid for every pennyworth of land belonging to the Church in the Canterbnry settlement. It was bought out of the third of the £3 an acre which the first Canterbury colonists paid for their land. The Church did not owe the State a single obligation for its land, which belonged to the Church the same as private land belonged to individuals who had purchased from the Crown.

The Yery Eev. the Dean rem|rkod that this was the case, with the exception of ft few reserves given by the Provincial Council. Mr Harman thought that the clergy would not be able to find time to devote to day schools 2 therefore it would be better to omit the word “parochial” and leave it to tha body administering the fund to give assistance to schools, parochial or otherwise. The Bev. Mr Coates said the clergy mnst find time for this work, than which there was none ot greater or perhaps equal importance. The schools should be for the education ot the children of the poor and laboring class. The Cathedral school was not, strictly speaking, a primary one. After some farther discussion, the committee divided on the amendment, to insert the word “ parochial." Ayes—Clergy, 39 ; laity, 16 Noe* —Clergy, 7; laity, 13. Amendment carried.

The Eev. O. Bowen moved that the words “ primary education in ” be inserted before the word “church.”

Amendment agreed to. On the suggestion of the Dean the word “toward* ” was substituted for "to" after the word “ devoted.” The motion as amended was then agreed to.

The Very Eev. the Dean moved—“ That it is expedient that, in the first instance, a good day school for boys and girls be established in Christchurch.”

Mr Malet suggested that the principle having been affirmed they should report progress. They might safely leave the carrying out of the scheme until next year. It would be twelve months before they realised any thing from the reserve. There would be Borne delay before the general cemetery could be opened. Mr Harman moved, as an amendment—- “ Thot the question of carrying out the above resolution, and the disposition of the funds, be remitted to the Standing Committee, who should be requested to bring up a recommendation on the subject at the next session of the Synod.” His object was to prevent any loss of time. After some discussion the Dean withdrew bis motion, and also resolutions 6 and 7 OB the same subject. The Dean then moved resolution 2, m follows“ That it be an instruction to the Church Property Truetees to take the neoeeBivy steps to dispose of the unused portions with the least postible delay." Motion agreed to, and resolutions reported and adapted. The committee resumed on the resolution* prepared by Mr Willes, respecting the maintenance of the Cathedral services.

Mr Willes said be did not intend to proceed with resolutions 6 and 7, and would therefore move that resolution 2, S, 4, and K, which had been passed, be reported to the Synod. Motion agreed to. On the motion of the Very Bev. the Dean, th a Synod proceeded to revise the list of clergymen entitled to vote for clerical representatives to|the General Synod. Before the revision was completed, Mr M --let moved that the Synod adjourn, which was agreed to. The Synod adjourned at 11. S pjn. anti th > usual hour to-day.