Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 265, 7 November 1867, Page 2

Shortly before eleven o'clock yesterday moruing the members of the Nelson Diocesan Synod assembled at the Boardroom in Nile-street, aud thence proceeded to Christ Church, where Morning Service was celebrated, followed by Holy Communion, a largecongregation being present. The same afternoon, at three o'clock, the Synod was opened at the Temperance Hnll, the Bishop presiding. After offering up the usual prayer his Lordship delivered his address to the clergy and laity composing the Synod. We regret that the length of this address, which was of a highly interesting character, precludes the possibility of its admission into our columns, but we may observe that the most noteworthy feature which it presents is the view taken by Bishop Suter of the present position of the Anglican Episcopate in the colonies, which differs very materially from that which has been adopted by the Primate and the other New Zealand bishops. The Bishop reprobates ' the hasty and uncompromising way in which action has been taken' in this matter of late, and expresses his astonishment that his brother bishops

in New Zealand should have wished to resign their Letters Patent without consulting the members of the church in Synod on the subject, which his Lordship regards as not so much a clerical as a lay question. The Bishop stated iv reference to this topic that the resignation of the Letters Patent had not yet been accepted by her Majesty's Government, and alluded to an important aud as yet unchallenged judgment since delivered by Lord Romilly, to the effect that Letters Patent do confer a certain status on those who have tliem, though not to the extent of jurisdiction. The Bishop's address concluded by urging the necessity of increased exertion on the part of all the lay members, in order to insure the adequate support of their clergy, aud by invoking the Divine assistance ou the deliberations of the Synod. The Diocesan officers aud Sessional Committees having been appointed, the report of the Standing Committee was laid ou the tabic, aud several notices of motion having beeu given, the- Synod adjourned at half-past 4 o'clock, until 10 this morning. The Synod was occupied this morning with the appointment of the Standing Committee for the current year, aud the consideration of the recommendation contaiued in the report presented by the late Standing Committee, with reference to the disposal of the Diocesan Church Fund and the remunei ution of the Diocesau Registrar, with other similar officers of the Church. The Synod adjourned at midday uutil 3 o'clock this afternoon, when it will occupy itself in discussing the recommendation of the Standing Committee with reference to the West Coast Goldfields. The half-yearly meeting of the Nelson Volunteer Artillery Corps was held at the Bank Hotel yesterday evening, at half-past 7 o'clock, aud was very uumerously attended, about 50 members beiug present. Captain Pitt took the chair, aud the Secretary and Treasurer, Mr E. M. Moss, having read his report, which showed the present numerical strength of the corps to be 61, with a steady increase in the number of the members, and also that during the past six months 42 drills had taken place, with au average attendance of 36 members of the corps, and recommended the appointment of a Finance Committee, etc., it was proposed by Second Lieutenant Wilkie, and seconded by Private J. L. Hodgson, that the Finance Committee • consist of the three officers, with Sergeant Moss, Corporal Moir, Bombardier Lloyd, and. Gunner W. C. Hodgson. This resolution having been carried, it was proposed by Gunner W. C. Hodgson, aud seconded by Sergeant Lane, that rule 3 be rescinded, and the admission or rejection of members be referred in future to -the commissioned officers. This resolution was lost, as was also an amendment proposed by First Lieutenant Hunter Brown in favor of open voting, and a third amendment, proposed by Sergeant Moss, and seconded by Guuuer Wimsett that the election of members be left to the Management Committee, was put to the meeting and carried. Sergeant Lane proposed and Gunner Wimsett seconded the proposition that the secretary be instructed to have the rules and regulations of the corps printed with as little delay as possible, which was carried. Corporal Hodgson and Gunner Richardsou having been unanimously elected auditors, a discussion took place relative to the band fund, and the captaiu undertook' to consult with the captains of the other Volunteer Companies on the subject.. It was decided that the prize firing commence ou Tuesday the 18th inst., and Second Lieutenant Wilkie having announced that the cloth for the -uniforms might be expected to arrive by the Otago ou the 12th inst., the meeting separated. We are anxious to correct a mistake which occurred in our report of the proceedings of the Provincial Council on Tuesday evening. In the debate on Mr Macmahou's motion with reference to the course adopted by the Government iv connection with the unauthorised expenditure on the goldfields, an amendment which was moved by Mr Gibbs is erroneously attributed to Mr Donne. Mr Akersten also desires us to state that in his speech on the debate on the introduction of the Nelson and West Coast Railway, the same evenipg, he said that, although he seconded the . motion, he would have preferred a bill which did not confer such large powers upon the Superintendent, but which would ensure a mutual co-operation between the Superintendent and the Council. Communication by telegraph with the

southern statious has been suspended-since about half-past 3 yesterday afternoon. Operations are therefore confined to Wellington aud the intermediate stations. The interruption is probably caused by the very high winds which have prevailed in the Kaikora district for some days past. A correspondent under the signature of 'Miles' expresses his regret that the Artillery Company will not be able to put in an appearance at the Review on Monday next, in consequence of the uniform not having been yel supplied to the corps. Our correspondent adds that 'any one who has been on the North Island, and has seen the regulars go out to fight in blue serge, or Von Tempsky's invincible Long aud Shorts, would as .soon see our Artillery in belted serge as in broadcloth,' aud be hopes that they will alter their decision, and take part in the military display on Monday. We believe that it was proposed some short time since, when it was found that the Artillery uniforms could not be supplied in time, that the Artillery should turn out ou the Prince's birthday in some suitable undress, but it was afterwards decided that such an expenditure as this course involved would not be justifiable in view of the fact that the cloth for the uniforms will certainly arrive by the first steamer. The Provincial Secretary and Provincial Solicitor of Canterbury, Messrs F. E. Stewart and J. S. Williams, left Christchurch on Friday morning by Cobb's coach, in company with the Hon. John Hall, the officer delegated to administer the government iv Westland, en route for Hokitika. We presume that the business which takes these members of the Canterbury Executive to Hokitika is connected with the transfer of the government to the central authority. Prolific as goldfields generally are in the production of newspapers, the West Coast bids fair to rival them all in this regard. Almost every week seems to usher in the existence of some new representative ,of the Fourth Estate. The latest addition to, the ranks of our West Coast contemporaries is the New Zealand Celt, which has been started in Hokitika, for the avowed purpose of advocating Ireland's claims to justice and redress. The approaching census of the colony will be taken ou the night of Thursday the 19th of December next, and the time for the delivery of the fbrms at the several dwellinghouses is from Monday, the 2nd of December, to Thursday, the 19th, inclusive. By an Act passed during the late session of the Assembly, provision has been made to supply a great deal of additional useful matter, consisting of agricultural and industrial statistics, which, if carefully and truthfully collected, and published in a form readily intelligible to the public, will provide a source of information which the agricultural and commercial community of the. province have long desired to obtain in a reliable shape. The firing for the Government Prize Rifles by the No. 1 City Rifles commenced this morning at half-past 10. The wind was blowing pretty freshly all the morning, and this circumstance doubtless contributed materially to render the average scoring lower than on previous occasions. The firing was at 100, 200, and 300 yards' distance, five shots at each range respectively, and from the score, the totals only of which we are able to give in our present issue, it will be seen that the two prizes have, fallen to the two highest scorers, Private J. A. Moore and Ensign Sinclair. The firing concluded about half-past 12 o'clock. Catley 28, C. Martin 25, J. A. Moore 36, S. H. Drew 34, Burn 18, Morrison 32, F. Martin 34, Pauling 29, H. Batchelor 30, Butt 14, G. Batchelor 19, Stallard 18, Sinclair 35, Skeet 33. At the sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Richmond on Monday last, before J. W. Barnicoat and H. Beitt, Esqs., JJ.P., Messrs Tofft and Batchelor were fined 30s and costs for allowing diseased sheep to stray.