THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 668, 2 April 1859, Page 3

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SYNOD.

«sTb.e>js^elliftgtelivJpaperß contain -lengthy irepbrts «tf ihtf jproceedingslof n this' body,-. lioo long for us~' to reprint in their entirety; butthe principal'Siibject's;of discussion and v the7cbu¥sßpMebate upon them are welKwoirfch a^placePMbtir column's.*' Sincette ciommencejneiit Oi, r th^ Session^.-the sittings/ have^ been1 preU/reg'ul^ JjQcMdkd^yt^ were_present i.three^;BisKops,"three ArcKdeacohs/ six Clerlc^l HMdfwelv^&y'Te;jr^ to have been tnißMaximum attendance at any meetingiidf .wiick-rfrlfepOEts:»raf6 {nv.eniin. the.papers; down to theT.latest date;received,^ but* !the arrival; of the RetrS'J.-JRaven irbm^this province would-add; one to tEe dumber -of;th£ilergy.l [ n; .........,■;!. \r «.. ';'f cMa^h^ilio lrepprt:bf the cbmmittejß on "tn^vpermanent^organiz^tipil'-bf' the synod r was brcSfgnf up "by" 'Mr. c'Swa,injs6n., \~] ".Other " committees" were .appomted^to^ consider _tow'tb.'define'the'ppwer bf«c^tiTCh;6lucei«f"ind'We uformati^ another, tTrfconsider .ttie best modes of providing re&Sn|j|pens^bns |pV|Clergymeni arid pensions for ciergymehVwidows'and orphans. The";next daylthe;: Standing Orders were finally adpptedjin .committee.;, Fprthe most part theydeal with form's bf 'debate^^^andare.siimHar'in their cbn : struetioni'tb 'those in 'use. by""legislative bodied'; the : only^nfe exKibitirigl a peculiarity''being the1 first] | which-runs^thus:^'*;The'"members of :the Synod shall- meeiifbrlithe.'discussion:^of'busirieds^in 'the samefchamber ;x;:butit;ishall-be competent; for any ! of^he-rthree prdersjat any-, time;-; to. withdraw- -| to, a separate c^mbOT^prihe.purpose j ofdeliberation, at: theVrequisition,"bf member; :bf "any such order." ! !^.t'tlie sanie meetmg^a comrtiittee 'was appointed' to ; prepare a ipbristiifatibn-for tribunals, and another to ■teft v'ifTegulattbni&rrthe' : establisHmeht''of^;: fund ; for'homfe and forei^n'missions.i; Thfe'SamedayMf. I -Swainsonimoyed,the;consideration-qf[the clauses of ■; a! bill for,-constituting the; General Synod; and. after ; fi^ome .discussion, they.rwere.. agreed, to.with.r a; few amendmeiiisand jßnally-'passed the committee in the foUqwing shape:— -'-■■ ■ 1." Tfee' General., Synod shall. consist of the bsshbpß'fpr atne i\fae' being, ahd of ~ not less than 'three-: clerwdlfaftd fouffidy ir&presetfiatives* for \ each'diocese, us-"*'/>' ?- r.<v.w,v. \:n b >-■:•■./■>■■... -■. ■ '■ " 2;;;Evßry clei-gyrisan' whose :namblshall have been; returned.vt'b the:ißegißtrafr-.Generaliiby!the .bishop,■ in faccofdatnce/with .the provjsions;of; the, Marriage ■ .Apt: 1854,' sh^alUbe entitled,tor vote at, the election ; of "clerical feprese'ntaiiyesj,fpr the diocese in | he^niav rteaidei •' JjfioyidS'd that any clergyman; riot ■sb: r&ur)ted'tie''(jte^^dW\&Mtled'f:if J approved by 'the'synod ofiiie dioceseih ibhich(he.resides.' i:- " ■ft '3:sEvei7~"clergymanr;ferititled; to.-vote;-'"at-: the electi&nspf?clerical^represeritativeishall;be qualified| "to be.eleqted as-a.clerical representative, whether he■ reside in..the.dipcese,- for he,may have been! 'ele'cteS'br npt."'','.•'■■'', .' ''" '.-.//. ■ '■' ''..'"'., ;■ : 4/'Th)3?clencal' rfepresetitatives shall be elected 'forthyßeVe%r'''di6ces'esiI'a6/fbllbws,V--:-1 ' ; < ■; ;t >":'^ r >.:^\ i 'iNumberbf representatives; •. . : For thefidiocese'ofi New Zealand... 4 ■-.■:.. v 1;. h'if: ;^':;'Wellington- ;..! 4. ■ : : ';. >„ : ,;, : Nelson „.;...... 3 - '■■ ■»» ;Chnstchurch... 4. .",.„"".•.-.. W?|ajm "X.''.'.:._. 3; •-. - _■:*<? ;,---.. ;,r-l" ;; v x.--.•,•* •- 18-_ ■■■-.• ■', 6. Th case;6P--'thfeif6rination-rof"any. newdiocese, fhs saididiocese sHalLfetdrmthre'e: clerical representatives to serve in.-the G'eneral.Synpd'.untilmother •pro;visiprv r .shall- be: made, on that behalf, by the: , General, 5yn0d.,,,.., ■ . O.'Eve'ry/rayman of. the age of 21 years, pr apwai-ds^.who feiiall sign a decl'anitioriin tb'ei fdl-: lowing form^visr.':— £i !l ■- ■' • , ; ■ - ; I ' L,i;;,.,^jQiliei*eby declare that lam a member ;of the" Uniiett ('<Dhur6h of England and' Ireland iti New;-Zealand]a' , :;;;: ■' .-'.• ■ •.• •;..;■;■■■.--';; • -r-nhall; be'} qualified- to vote, at the election of lay representatives for ;the district in which he may : reside. ■'; ~,.',''.,'■. „, .-.' ' . '.'.- • ' * ' . ; 7. -Ereryj layman, being a communicant and 'as :an; 'elector; shall be qualified tb; be " elected,as' a'; lay representative; whether "he reside 'in tlje; district"for whichhe may be elected or not.; 8. The lay representatives shall be elected for the severalidipdesejas^ollows:—^•.-.-• , /, :. '■"-■--. :•'■',(■■['"h-■— -; N^u™ber pf represent/itives. ' '.' 7 > ifor t%diocese ofiNew, Zealand.!-.' '8 ' c- -^ 'i™* ,r ~" -•Nelson1 ~:j;,,.i;v 5 >■ - ;

;;; r';;JVV;-'": - ! ■.:."-f' •''.».; : :i.j f 29i!"' V"' !' 9] Fovi the purpose, of the election of lay; represehtfttiye's'^acli1; diocesesshall 'fre; flivide'd^ntbsucK districts;'arid: the.Jay TeprGserttatiives shall.-be'ap''-' pointed irysuch nipi^ri>as t'^ll-rfrqtri'timV to time' be • prescribed' in that' behalf by■■ftlie,synod of,' the diocesoV?' Provided \fthat; .until provision -be '-made' f6i^;that;purpose!by'the;pipdesan Synod the befom mentioned pow.ers' shall ■be exercised by1 the bisii^ of the diocesei Jfdr the iimVbieiijg. ' '■' ■'■■ ! ■' ;' ' ; . 10.,_1n case, of the formation of any new diocese^ thesaid diocese shall return fdiir; lay Representatives to serve, in the' General! Synodi1 until other prpvi- "'■ sibnr shall b6' made iri.that behalf by1 the' General^ 1 : ~:\':-"'.-H;:wr. v-P.-v •.'•u\--uu..n.- lfyll.'- It 'shall -be competent for the synod of each dipcese -to'iriake provision from :tirne to timefor'the' registrationaricpreyisloh of lists of persbns, qualified/ td( ybte' for [clerical and layrepresentatives," for the 1 appointment of returnitig'bffide^s; for'tire mode1 bf' voting-at the-electioh3b;f 'representatives, .for1 deter-' ininingithe validity^bf disputedl -returhsVaud-geneiV rHllyfor^iensuring thl e--orderly;i'effdctiy'e^and^impar.^ tial'iionduct of s^uch-elections.. i: Provided thWt until provision;> be^i ina'd4-; in-tli'atfbeMlf^y-th^'pToWsan* Synod,'the befdre';imentibned powWs'sha'll'-beAXer-' cised by'tlie bishop of;thfe|dibcese'for.'the tirtie being? o|l2:' ; Thfe- clerical- andiay 'represifentative'si shall be^ electe<ii;for-a period of "three 'years/ at,a wgeneral! election ftobe: held ohceiin "every? three;yisars for' t^hai^purpose.('JPrbVid'edHKat iri{case' rthe;,seat:of „aiiyJmember shallobecoirie vacant;befoi-e tlie-'expir-atioriof'the'term for which he'shall-haye been elected^' the'persori%hb shaU'tfe,«lei3te'd W'fijil suclv vacancy shall • h old "his' •' seat' until' the general 'election then' next fbllpwihg^ut'iio'.ldngerl ■'*; ';;* ;:v w.-v.; -' = 13;. Tiie^gfert'eral/electidns-shail take place in tlie' month of September unless other prbvisiprf be iriade1 byiaresdliitibri:*f^thel KJeheral^Syribdior by sbtee > pei-sdn or persons duly'authorised iri that bfehalf by the-GenferalSyriodr";1'' 'I '< ; ;;; '■'■•.v-"' : :.' A"-"-'-i''{'-'- '-'■* '.' "The first'general^ election shall* take place in the yearilß6l:» ■■•> ■ '[•■•■■ '-f'^ W- i;;' '■''■■■-•■^ '"14:iiAriy;clerical;;orlayCrepreseTitative .may by writing under his; hand'addresse'd :i<^ the,; bishop of the "diocese foi s;'wlticlv !He 'may, vhave been elected; resigti"h'is;'seat;in;the'synod,:and; upon the,rec'eipt of 'suchTrressghationl by;the'said bishdpi r the seat of such representative shall'bepomp'yijcated; ,: . ' ' Whenjthtfseat of ahyrepre^eiitative^ shall become vacant by; 'death; 'resigriatiori; or the' declavatibnof any tribunal acting tinder 'the1 of1 the' General Synod, the bishpp of the diocese' in which' sucK; yacatfcy shall 'occur; shall '■ issue a riqtice for the election of a Sae\y ifepresentative'-to';'serve in the place'sb vacated; •''.:■■''''■ ■''■■''■••■- - ;;;- ;■■■•'■■r ;';-; ;;.r ■'

15. There shall be a meeting of the General Synod at least oncein every-three years, at such time' and jilace^as-shall be prescribed in that behalf bythe said- General Syribdi-^Providedi that special meetings of the General Synod may be convened at any time or place in manner; hereinafter to be provided.

n 16.?The;^presence:'of \ ;at ; ,least two, bishops, ; six clevicaLrepresentatiTCS',and ininelay representatives shalL bei necessary jtol.- constitute; *a meeting '<■ bf the General j :Sy-nod!"for: the due exercise - bf the powers vestedl in'dft" .'f.:' r' '--'■'^-' ,^--.--..a>.; ;— v;;-;-' -r-?; -^-■/■. 1 iT^'Whdn;the three.orders of -the General5 Synod shairmeetltf'th'e.'saiiie chambeiv'the 'nitee'ting shklj be; presided ; over by, tlijß'inlleti'bp'plitanl^brip^us^kbC sehcei.by,_the.senior 'tiish(op"fo^\'the ''time ; being-pre?. sent;at,such meeting.. '■'■.*"-"',. f-^; ■' . '<■/;. riß,,Nothing:; Herein contained jshall be held to preveat ithis:present-General-;Synod-!ifi'om meeting again iat any ;time :before thenfirstrgeneraUelection/ if'uduly: summoned! for thatpurpose. ■■- ■•-• ' i ■. \/> ■ ■ 19.->The term1" c]eiical;7represehtative'' shall be interp'i'eted;tbimeari. a;dulyj'eiected'representativeof the'clergy;, land l;He/"teriri'' u;lay^\rep'rfese6i;ativ'e'r Ja: dulyj.electeiißepresentative of. ; the Ja,ifry>t $or itie purposes of clauses 9,11, i4,and:l^^^ shop,, shall, ;the .appointed for such-purpose^- : . ■! - The - debate of sinpsfc importance^ occurred on the eth-^clause/ofiwhich^iwe giye;:the;<Spectator's' repbrt;;"^ ;':' ■;; -: "•;'■ ;';:;; :--:'';-::-' •' ■''■ <X y •:■•;."■'•-•■. .-On!the.6th. cla\ise;being;read>-- . ; , . Mr.; Hall proppseji, to; amend the declaration by the addition of/the? following iwords*:--^ —V ■i " And'thatr.l belong tojno other religious denomination." .: f. -i •■' :■: * The i amendment was' opposed by the Rev. C. Alabaster^ Archdeacon -Williams, the Revs- S. Poolej arid 1!Mr; Swainsoii; and! supported" by, the Rev.* J. Bagshaw; ; ''■' '•' ' " "'' '" ;'' : ' \" ;>,- '"' ■.' r The Bishop of New Zealand said that every member of the British nation was bylaw, a member of the jChurch of England.;. so,, that", every one might ma.ke the declaration. It would not. be wise to go : to ;a colonial legislature for a- definition of what constituted a^ member of the Ghurch of England.: If & person took part in; theelection of a representative^ he consented to be bound by the laws which 'that rfepresentative assisted 'in making. He would^^: exercise -the utmost possible liberality in extending \ the qualificatiori, of church" membership without'any fear that' it would.be turned to factious purposes.1 'If 999 persons were, to unite together in a tumultuous way: to carry any party ' measure,' there was a sufficient in the .three orders of; which the synod was composed; for if the clergy and bishops negatived the measure it would fall; to, the ground. If a person! to be bound by the laws of the synod,; that! .body had a right-to tender a test, and if: for facti-: 'ous purposes the person declined-to take the test he • would. ciease to ;be a member. ■ He was per-1 ;suadedj the ; more the synod became' generally known, the less persons would refuse to be bpuridi by its proceedijigs. He should very much prefer; that the forni should remain in the terms of the ; original declaration. . , '•. The amendment was then put and lost , : Archdeacon proposed the following amendment :—r- , :

. "Thatithe qualification for electors of lay representatives 'remain' as1 > settled at the general conference;" ?;' * •' ;ii'v ••' - ■■■ ■ '■■'•■■'■■■ ' ■

The amendment was seconded by Archdeacon Kissling. The Rev. C. Alabaster deprecated any restriction which would keep any layman from taking part in any matter connected" with church government; he would be content with the simplest declaration.

The Bishop of,^■ .Chvistchurch, referring.to the state of feeling in,-his;diocese with reference to this subject, observed that in Canterbury there was d general unwillingness^ even1 on the part of those, who were considered'steadfast churchmen, to bind; themselves by a written declaration to submission' to the proceedings- of - the synod, because they could not be aware what laws would be passed by them. . , . , , ": ■'■''■■'

The Bishop of New Zealand said that lie could understand the ground iipbh which such objections, would be raised in'the Prbvince- of* Canterbury, ( because in that province there was a considerable church property held under an act ; of the provincial legislature;' and a feeling might exist there of not wishingl to part with the control -over that property which did not apply to the other provinces. But when it ia fully understood that the General Synod is so liberal as to' say,—we do not ask to manage your property; retain jour property but come and' as-iisfc us in managing ours, he thought no reasonable objection coujd be made. But apart from this question,, it seemed, to be unreasonable for.'any members to"say.fr.vve will come and parti in your; proceedings, but'-Aye Fill not be bound by. them, i The great Use. of ■ -the. voting, papers

pP-jvvhicn/tlie^bisJiop^bf'ia dioceseor 'any rekVi'riin|j officer' can act' in? a/m1 bst 'careful'arid■ pffikfric^ory .Tii.iriner in' cbmmunicatih'gi'on: ch'ui'cji'.'malt'eii wi'tli each1 hSertiber. HH e.'thbuglit'there '■ was'-fnotlnii £ iirireasp'na:bl& in/the/members. qf Jtlie tlcl)iU:cH;'beiiig' b6ttqdJby;the ; laws;of, tli^s syiVod wliick'tii^y Assisted1 iff' making;' - f;/.' h*' ■'-* }':' V:':' ''■ ":>, 'l''?'/:';-",',';:; {\ After 'febrne' further' discussion; the' clause was agreed rttf in' the'\fo'rm' sin which'it stands1.1 ' /;

' •■; Tli'e'; Bill! 'was ordered' '■ %6 ' be' recommitted next

"On Wednesday the ,16tli March; a discussion arose updri' the'; propositionl '.that a selection' of psalms^ and r hymiis! for ' general' use shoiild : be, fornied by^ a'comniifctee;'1 The: tnotiori'was lost; the clergy' almost urianimdusly 'voting for it,1 all the bishdps 'and all'the'laity1 but two against it A discussion also' ;arose' upon the recoimriitar of the bill of the previous day, on "the propriety of con-1 stitutiiig two "chainbersof the Synod permanehtly. Mr.: Bkgshaw's motion.' to this effect was witlidravvn after'cdnsiderablb'oppdsitipni' : *'• j- ; ! i '■■' On the'l7tli 'March' the'committee brought up a draftdf ia statute foi'"the organisation'of Diocesan' Synods) which ■■was-'fead'a first time/. ; - ; l We may here note that1 thejI'draft of an ,enact-. merit during discussibri' is called •in the reports a 'bill,;' but''by resolutionlt has'been"decided that a bill when- passed shall^-be1i entitled a■' statute, the woi'd.'cahon" having'been •suggested, and rejected; ■

''■.'The r next day.'(Friday, March 18p tlie.:' Diocesan Sj'iiofi ."Bill' was'cdnsidered; '.iiV-icoTnihititee, and: the clauses passed with some;, verbal aitevations as follbw^^'" 7 /■;-. : ;v---'-'----'---:- ;•■;'".'• -v; ; ■ r- ; ■ ■■■

1. Eyery^ v Diqcesan Syno4 shall consist of the bishop;df> the aioce'se, of the:Hcensed: clergy; and' of. nbfcless thanbno synodsmknyipr every parishf ; oftlie diocesei.'» Provided si that" any^ brergyman riot so' licensed shall be, admitted! to alseat in any. such Diocesan.: Synod with'the consept of the; sy.nod of ; the diocese>in which he may reside. Provided always that the failure of any one/or more of such parishes to elect.a syhpdsmaiii slikll hot prevent any Diocesan Synod-fromi proceeding' to."the despatch of business. 2.'.Until.the t :Douridaries of. .parishes.;shall liave been denned;by competent' authority,;ievery diocese shall;' for the ;purposes of these divided intoiparochial districts,'in suchiinanner as ;to the bishop, of the diocese ;mayseem.most-convenienti! .; 3.-EverylayiHan in ,the .diocese-who.mayi be entitled; to .ypte ; at; the ..election; of: lay re^presentatiyes for the General Synod shsill bejentitled to,vote,at theelectioir of,synodsmen for.th)e;-p'arish.in which he may.reside.; V.' ; ''."' '■."■■''■'•'■'.V"'^-".. r ',■•.'.,'.."...■ ,' „ . 4. Eyery:- laymani; who may ;be "qualified to be elected as a lay representative ii\ theG'enerai Synod shall "be qualified tb be elected, as.asynbdsman of the' diocese ih^which1 he: may ;-he reside iritheiparticuiaf parish for which' he;.may be elected or riot; -subject-to- the! provision:- hereinbefore contained. . T:.:Yl■]■■■ -.'j'■',"■. '■■''.•'■ -■•■•:• . : s.;;Ey6ry- 'Diocesan Synod shall consist of such number : of JiSynpdsmen^to;,be/a?pportipned in such manner, as the; synod of; ; therdiocese shall from, time to time prescribe.in.that behalf. Pr.oyided'that; until prpyision be made ; for that purpose by the piocesah| Synod such power' shall/be exercised by^ the bishop of "the ilibcese." '"/ .: ;. •- '.:".'.:\- "■'.:.'' -. , ;

6: X shall'be competent for the Diocesan Synod to fix the time for holding the election of synodsinehjto make provision fbrtlie appoitjtinent of returning officers^' for'issuing, executing^ arid the necessary notice1 for, the election of ■sy riodsmen, for the mode .of^voting. at such.elections,for j the filling up of, vacancies.occasioned by. death, resignation, or otherwise, for.determining theivalidity of disputed returns, and",,generallyfor.'ensuring' the. orderly, effective and V.impartial conduct of siuclr elections. Provided that, until ..provision ,:td .the above effect shall have'been; made by the Dipcesari Synod; the above-mentioned,powers shall, be'exercised;. by the bishop,1 or his commissaryl specially authorised so tddo;-* [:/r: r''--.; -■■? ;' /- '■>■>■■■ -■■■■■ ;-. <■' V- '■ 7.' Until' other provision be made in-that^behalf by the: Diocesan! * Synod; the synodsmen; of every Diocesan!; Synod shall be elected 'lor a period of aone year,= at a general election to^be, ; held from; time' to time for: that purpose. rProyided" that in ,case! the seat of any synodsman of the'synod shall .become vacant before- the expiration;oHh^ipenpdJfof; wjiic|x.. !,he' shall!haye been elected,.the^persoiT:who sliall be elected to fill suchivacancy" shall- hold' his seat until the'general selection; then next i following, ;but "no longer.:; >■>■,;<■■ ■■ :;.•':! i. :■:. ■■;...■ ; : \ : y■■■■> ::<:.i ;-■. )h.•■.-.;•■•■■ 8.; Any-representative may^ by writing under, his hand addressed, to.ithe.bishpp; of thejdipcese, or.in = his absence to ;ttye senior commissary of such bishop, resign hisiseat in!the synod, and^upoh the receipt of such resignation by the' bishop, or f the commissary, as,the case/may-be, on the declaration "of any trir bunal acting in that, behalf under the authority of the (General Synbdthe seat of such synodsman shall become vacant; ■.-" •■'. 9. Every Diocesan Synod shall meet at such time and place as shall from time to time be prescribed for. that purpose by the bishop of; the diocese. [Provided always, that there shall be. a meeting of every such; Synod once at:least in evfery year. ;. .10. The presence of the bish/opof the diocese; of one.fourth of; the. clergy of thVdiocese, qualified, to be members of the,synod ? not being less than L;four in number; and of one fourth :of the lay synodsmen, not being less than" seven in number, shall be necessary to constitute a meeting of the Diocesan Synod for the due exercise of its powers. : . 11. Except as,: hereafter, provided, every act of-a Diocesan Sypod shall be .assented-, .to by, the bishop of the diocese, and by a-majority of the clergy, and by a majority of the synodsmen present in person at a duly constituted meeting^'" 12. In case of the absence, death, or resignation of the bishop, the Diocesan Synod shall be convened and presided over by his commissary, specially authorised :so• to do. Provided, that' if no such ■special-authority shall? have been given, the Diocesan Synod shall; be .convened and: presided; over by the senior commissary fpr the time being. > , 13. Every such specially, authorised _or senior commissary, -when so, acting, sliaU,,exercise all the powers, ordinarily exercised by the bishop in the 'Diocesan Synod. Provided, that 6h any question: touching the recoinirieridation of a fit person to fill: a vacancy in the see, the assent of such commissary; shall not be necessary to such 'recommendation, but he shall on such occasion vote as. a member of his own order. 14. Eor the interpretation of this statute, the; terra "synodsman" shall mean a duly elected repre-: sentative; of the laity in a Diocesan Synod.

The following proviso was then, added to clause 1 of the ' General Synod Bill' as ;it went through comniitteeilon..the previons'/Tiiesdayj and printed a b oTe .__.« Provided always ;that the absence of. the bishop of any;:diocesei or,rjthfi failui^.of. any diocese,or of; the. electoral district of any diocese, to elect a representative or representatives, shall.*not prevent the General Synod .from proceeding to the! despatch of business." A committee was then ap-; pointed to prepare the draft of a statute for the organization of Archdeaconry and Rural Deaconry| Boards;: A printing committee and a new committee: on tribunals, were.also appointed. ■ .On Monday,"the 21st March, very little business1 was transacted, but '■>: , ,: , . .; On Tuesday, an important discussion arose upon' the 'Appointment : ; ofj Pastors Bi}l,';\vhich we regret not to be able to give in exfenso. .; ' -The first clause, which,.'designated the cure of souls a ■' rectorship' aud the'incumbent a ' rector,'; was, amended; by the substitution- of the titles 'curacy'; and ' curate.' .• . • .','.' ' The second clause was as follows, proposed by the ; Bishop of Nelson :—" The trust of selecting a clergyman and nominating him to the bishop for institution to a vacant curacy,•. shall. : be" vested in,nominators chosen, by the.Diocesan Synod and by the parishioners respectively. The number of nominators aud the proportion in■ which.they; shall bp chosen by the parishioners "and the" Dio'cesari Synods respectively shall! be^eteririin'ed/ together with'the'time. and manner .of 'election,'by. the Diocesan Synod." To' this the Bishop of New Ze'a-

land^aiid'ilie'Bylibp of ■phristcliufcji proposed each iur,''tiiiie'nIclm'eht';, arid^tlie' threV bislidps. spoke at .length' to' tHo quesUoii, as did'^tlspy'M;essf!3..'Alabast&j ffall. and Bagshav?. Tlie BirtliojV oT/New' aijd lost,'and'his ldrdsliip' tlic'n seconded the Bishop of ClVristcWi'cli's'/ainehdtnent', which was also 'negatived "Oil division.'' The 'original clause was'then a!greed' toj 'as SyeVe also the following; clauses:—----*-,Ji. J The majbrity of not less than two thifds;of the comliihed body !of !n6rtnnit6f3 shall nominate one, two;=or three'clergymen to the bishop.': ; ,

4. The nominators in office at the time of the curacy .beeo'ming -vacant shall not be suspended in their functions by their successors . till the institution of the new curate. And whereas it appertained to the office, of a bishop to examine and determine the fitness of perspnsfor institution to cure of souls,

5. It sliall be tlie duty of the bishop to institute one of the tibrnihees of whose fitness he is satisfied, or if he is riot satisfied of the fitness of any of'them;'' t« give notice of• his; rejection to the nominators, together witlihis reasons in' writingfor such rejectionto the-clergymen rejected. ■

" Provided that if the nominators or the nominee desire to appeal against the rejection, either of them may appeal to the House of Bishops, if the appeal be lodged;,within two months, and if thereshall appear to the Standing; Commission of the General Synod to be pririia j'acie^grounds for such ail appeal, the bishop's grounds of: rejection shall, iri that case," be submitted by hini to the House of, Bishops; and; if they think them !insuuicierit, rthey;sh'air direct institution f,t6 be given. v :.;

6.! A curate desirous Of resigning may tender his written resignation to the bishop, but he shairnot withdraw from'his duties until the acceptance of his ; resignation' shall have been registered in -the Diocesan Register and,notified by'the.bishpp. .7. Until other, provision be made in that behalf by the. General.; Syhpd, or. any Dipcesan: Synod, tlie church wa.rdehs aridtriistees.of any church sitb shall allow the; frjeeiise of such church during any vacancy in the curacy-to!such:clergymeni and such: only, as shall be authorised to officiate by the iArchdeacon,' orEural Dean;",: .-.■>.;•':;■■ ■■-.■■■■' '„.,-,'..

' On Wednesday,; March 23r3, Mr. Hall moved a ; series of resolutions on the transfer; of trusts to ; the General Syriodby theßishbp of New Zealand/ j which wera agreed; to; ■; These resolutions named; i certain gentlemen tosact as trustees for.the^various classes' of'trust property, and;i recommended' the . transfer oPothers for the; use of adiocese to dio- ; cesan trustees, to be recommended by the Diocesan : Synodj butl appointed by the standing commission of the General "Synod under the hand; of its chair-. mani-An^.interpretin*- clause was then added to: the-' Appointmenil of-Pastors Bill,' and the ■' General Synods' and -Diocesan1 Synods' Bills were i each re-committed' for the -amendment of certain verbal eriors.' ■'■'■■•-■ ■ ;: ' —

! dnThursday,;March 24th,. the ' General Synod Bill ' was passed; and became ; a statute.:: The 'Diocesan Synods Bill'also, went through the same process. On -th« ' Appointment of Pastors; Bill' which came up again ;i for discussion, an amendment to vest* the patronage solely in the church -wardens and- vestry of the parish was negatived after discussion ; but a rider, was added'to clause I, providing that before the nomination of a clergyman Ithe bishop should communicate with the Diocesan--Synod1 and Vestry, to -ascertain what means may;beVavailable for the supportof acurate. Another clause was added, rendering a curate irremovable from his parish against his consent except by ,' decision of a competent tribunal appointed by itne'syho'di; fTheßislipp of New Zealand then read a statement the action taken by him in the case of Miv)Baker, buta motion to record that statement "on "the; minutes was .negatived;;_•; The following series ot^resolution's on the -subject of., pastors was.then ponsidered and'adopted. ■'■■■■[ - '"'" i. That:'to/provide J for 'the case of a boiifd of nominators wishing. :to delegate this trust;" it is ■desirablei to empower them, oh the occurrence of a vacancy, to elect'a sole nominator, who shallf nominate; in their'-stead,'-:6r.to delegate their trust to the Diocesan Synod/X.r: ; . ■';_-. ■-=:., :..;•;;:. -r.-, .-.;. .- ; v: v- --- "2.; That.-this .synod is firmly, convinced.of the of creating any rights.of .private patronage.^ Provided' that fin .any"case in' which a benefacto^ shall; have furnished the whole or a considerable proportion of the cost of building a church ..and endowing a rectorship it. shall be. compelent for the Diocesan. Synod to accord to: such benefactor a 'limited right of .nomination to such-rectorship,'.but not in any case to beyond.the.term of his natural life. •.'. •.■.-■ ■.:';■',,! ."":. I.":-!, "■",'■"'■■"■'■■''.'■' ■■■'.'■■'',',. ..- ---"3. That it is expedient to prpvidi3,.as a'check against the undue removal of rectors from;their settled cures) that;no duly instituted rector shall be put in hpniiriation for another rectorship,without ' the previous consent of his diocesan. ; ■■-"' "4. That institution to a rectorship shall be given either by the bishop or his commissary in the face of the congregation, or if given elsewhere, it shall be declared by_ the : churchwardens in the church. When the institution so declared shall have been registered in the Diocesan registry, the full rights of rector shall be deemed to be conferred. ."5. That nevertheless, to make more manifest that the rector is entitled to the free use of the: church for all canonical uses, arid the parsonage house, the churchwarden or trustees of the church,; at1 the time of institution, deliver to the rector the ; key of the church and rectory house." This is the last day of which we have a record in the papers received. • . ■