DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 712, 3 September 1859, Page 5

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Friday, August 26th.

. The Synod met at noon. Present: —the Bishop, Yon. Archdeacon Mathias, Revds. H. Jacobs, W. W. Willock, C. Alabaster, J. Raven, G. Cotterill, H. W. Harper, and C. Bowen. Messrs. Acland, Barker, Blakiston, Bowen, Hall, Hamilton, Potts, Ross, Torlesse, and Wylde. After :prayers had been read by the Bishop, the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

.The Synod then went into committee for the consideration of the Draft Statute for regulating the election of .lynodsraen. .' The clauses were read seriatim by Mr. Eoss.

On clause 2 considerable discussion ensued

An amendment by Mr. Wylde, seconded by Mr. Torlesse, that .Rangiova and the pastoral district now incorporated with it should return each one

member, instead of as now one conjointly, was lost. •Th(! clauso was then pub and carried. On tlio reading of clause 3, the mover having by consent added after ' parochial' the words 'or missionary,' much discussion followed as to the term to bo used in designating the squatting or sheep farming districts. The word ' missionary ' was strongly objected to by the Bishop and others. Amendments by the Rev. C. Alabaster suggesting the word ' rural,' by the Rev. C. Bowen,' pastoral,' the Bishop, ' country,',and the Rev. G. Cottei'ill, ' extra-parochial,' having all consecutively been lost on division, the consideration of the clause was deferred.

On clause 11 which prescribes publication of the _ the names of candidates by posting on the church door, and. by notice .from the pulpit on the Sunday next preceding the day of election, the llev. W. W. Willock rose and expressed his strong objection' to the latter mode of publication, and said that should the clause be passed, he should even feel himself, with all due deference to the synod, impelled to withhold obedience to this part of it. He therefore moved an amendment which was seconded by the Rev. J. Raven, that that part of the clause be omitted/ The Bislrop here rose and drew attention to a rubric of the church, by which ministers were bound to obey their Ordinary. He considered that whatever was passed by the Synod and was ratified by himself, the Rev Mr. Willock and all other licensed clergy were bound to obey. The Rev. Mr. Willock's amendment was then put and lost on division.

Another amendment was then moved by Mr. Wylde, seconded by the Eev. Mr. Willock, and put without success, that the names-be published in the local papers instead of their being read from the pulpit. Original clause put and carried. Clause 12, defining the mode of electing Synodsmen. Discussion arose on the attestation of signatures to voting papers. Mr. Hall stated that he brought forward this clause to provide against the possibility at any future election of what had in more than one instance taken place at the last, viz. the affixing of names to voting papers by others than those by whom the papers purported to have been signed. This he knew had in some cases | been done. It was at length agreed that signatures should in populous parishes be attested by the returning officer, and in outlying districts by two credible witnesses. Clause put and carried. Clauses 13, providing that the election shall be reported to,the Bishop by the.Returning Officer; 14. That the Returning Officer shall preserve votingfpapers for 12 months; 15. That the next election shall be on Easter Monday, 1861; 16. That disputed questions shall be decided by the Returning Officer subject to approval of Synod; 17. That objections to elections be, decided by Synod ; 18. That objections are to investigated by a select committee, in accordance with the system in that behalf in use in the Provincial Council; 19. That in absence of Returning Officer, the Archdeacon shall perform his functions; —were all put and carried seriatim, with little or no discussion. The schedule, (form of voting paper), and the preamble, were read, put, and carried. Mr. Hall then moved that the chairman do report progress. Carried. . The President having resumed the chair, the ■ synod ' then went into committee to consider the draft statute for regulating the formation of parishes, and the appointment of parish officers. Clauses read seriatim by Mr. Ross. !; Clause 1, section 1, provided 0 that. ah'y parish applying for separation shall have at least'five male adult communicants. Carried.

Section 2.—lf there be no church,-applicants shall express willingness and show reasonable prospect of their building one. Carried.

Section 3.—Applicants shall produce list of not less than 100 church members, distinguishing communicants. Carried.

Section 4.—Applicants shall exhibit readiness and ability to contribute to minister's stipend. Carried.

Clause 2.. —Districts unable to comply with foregoing conditions may be referred to synod for special consideration. Carried.

Clause 3. As soon as a parish is recognized church meeting to be called by Bishop or his commissary, and proceed toelect two churchwardens, and not less than three nor more than ten vestrymen.

Discussion arose on the clause. Amendment by Mr. Wylde seconded by the Rev. W. W. Willock— " That the meeting be called by the licensed clergyman, if any; if not, by the Bishop or commissary, such meeting to elect one churchwarden." Adopted, and clause as amended agreed to.

Additional clause (3 a.) proposed by the Rev. J. Raven, seconded by Mr. Wylde—"That the other churchwarden be appointed by licensed clergyman, if any; if not, by the Bishop or commissary." Adopted. "

Clause 4. Churchwardens and vestry so elected shall continue in office until day of regular annual election. Carried.

Clause 5. Annual election to take place on Ist January or 14 days after. Amendment by Mr. Hall—on Easter Monday or 14 days after.—Carried, and clause as amended adopted. Clause 6. In case there be no minister of the parish at the time of election, the nominee churchwardenjshall be appointed by the Bishop. Carried; after an amendment by the Rev. J. Raven, which not being seconded, fell.

The title and the preamble were then severally put and adopted. Chairman reported bill as amended, and the house resumed.

After notices of motion from Messrs. Acland and Hall, the house at 3.40. p.m. adjourned to Monday 30th instant, at 6§ p.m.