SYDNEY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 698, 10 April 1852, Page 2

SYDNEY.

Church of England Synod.—The following is the reply of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the minutes agreed to by the bishops of the Province of Australasia, at their meeting, in October, 1850. It will be seen that his Grace asserts positively that no synodical action of the colonial church can take place without interfering with the Queen’s supremacy :— (Extract.) “ Lambeth, 4th July, 1851. With respect to the matter of great doubt and difficulty, the inconvenience is apparent of the uncertain jurisdiction of the bishops, and the consequent imperfection of discipline in your remote provinces. For the present, the Queen’s supremacy must be assumed as unquestionable j and no doubt it prevents the issuing of any synodical mandate, or even the assembling of any synod which should claim authority. Whenever the subject of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the colonies hns been mooted here, the absence of any specific scheme or proposal on the part of the colonial bishops has been urged as a reason for postponing the consideration ; and it certainly would not be competent for the authorities her? to propose such enactments as might remedy the evils under which you labour, without a suggestion from you of the means of

their removal. It appears to me that such a scheme as might be drawn up on the spot, with especial view to the inconveniences which you experience in the practical enforcement of discipline, should be prepared and sent to this country. The subject would then be considered by the Colonial Secretary and the ecclesiastical officers of the Crown ; and such legislation might follow as would place you in a better condition for the right administration of church discipline.—l remain, &c., &c., (signed) J. B. Cantaur.” — Sydney Herald. A Turon Nugget.—Hitherto the Turon has not attained enviable notoriety in the discovery of nuggets. I have, however, just seen a magnificent one, at present in the possession of Mr. Assistant Commissioner Zouch, weighing 53ozs. 7dwts. 22grs. It is solid gold, free from the slightest particle of quartz or earth, and was turned up yesterday in some dry diggings within a short distance from Sofala. It somewhat resembles a heart in shape, and is of a rich and brilliant colour. Mr. Forbes, of the Sydney and Turon Bank, who weighed this splendid specimen, transmitted 821bs. weight of gold to Sydney by yesterday’s mail, and Mr. Raine 281bs. ditto. The yield of gold in this quarter is daily increasing, and the bed claimants are hard at work.— Herald, March 8.