THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4539, 7 October 1875, Page 2

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Wednesday, October fi. The Synod assembled at half-past 7 o’clock. The following members were present ;—The President. Clergy : Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Revs. B. W. Harvey, A. Knell, J. A. Newth, W. Ballachey, J. McWilUam, J, F. Teakle, B. K. Taylor, C. H S. Nicholls, T. Fancourt, 5 and A. Towgood. Laity: Messrs. T. Buchanan R* Hunter, A. B, Sheath, A. W. Halcombe J. D. Cruickshank, C. C. Graham, E. W Lowe, G. Beetham, H. Clarke, F. Robinson and Colonel Gorton.

The President having opened the proceedings with prayer, the minutes of the former day’s session were read and confirmed. The Clerical Secretary then read the report of the* Standing Committee ; the balance sheet of the Pension Fund, of tho Pension Fund Capital Account, of the Endowment Fund, and gave notice that he would move on a succeeding day that the report and balance sheets be adopted and printed. A printing committee was then appointed. To consist of the President, Archdeacon Stock, and the Rev. B. W. Harvey. A committee was also appointed to revise the acts, standing orders, and resolutions of the Synod. To consist of the Bishop, Archdeacon Stock, and Messrs. G. Didsbury. A. W. Halcombe, W. H, Quick, and C. P. Powles.

The. Rev. B. W. Harvey then moved that, in the opinion of this Synod, it is highly desirable. in churches where the system obtains of letting or appropriating tho seats, that the time for filling up vacant seats be so fixed as to allow of strangers and others who are not seatholders joining in the whole service. The rev. gentleman, in support of the motion, said that while he thought that seatholders should have their seats kept for them, he considered that strangers should be admitted into the unoccupied seats after the commencement of the service, especially as there were many members of the Church whose circumstances rendered them unable to rent seats in their parish church. In his church strangers were immediately shown into seats, and the rule had been found to work out beneficial results. He thought that tho Synod should express a decided opinion on the question, so that the reproach should be removed that strangers were kept waiting at the doors of our churches while many seats were at the time unoccupied. After the motion had been discussed by several members, the "Ven. Archdeacon Stock said, in support of the motion, that if carried he believed a great degree of punctuality would result from it. It had been often remarked that many persons came into church immediately after the confession or absolution had been read, as if these had no application to them.' He considered that seats should not be kept unoccupied after the ringing of the church bell had ceased.

Mr. Pearce said that the plan recommended by the Rev. B. W. Harvey had been adopted in his parish church, and did not result in any inconvenience. The church was filled at the commencement of the service. He did not believe that the adoption of this measure would injuriously affect the finances of the various parish churches.

The President said it should be borne in mind that if the motion were adopted by the Syned it would materially affect the opinions of the various parishes. He thought it to be the duty of the Synod to educate the various parishes up to the broadest views as to what they should do in these matters. Whilst in favor of the adoption of the motion in the churches in Wellington, he thought there would be some difficulty in applying it in country parishes. But he thought the Synod should protest formally against the practice of allowing certain seats to be kept unoccupied simply because they were paid for by persons who chose to absent themselves from church.

The Rev. B. W. Harvey, in reply to some objections, said that he had been cordially supported in those innovations, which had been introduced into his church, and his parishioners had expressed their unqualified approval of them, and they were very willing to rent the pews on the understanding that they would not bo kept vacant after a certain time. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. Quick and carried.

Tho Synod then granted leave to the Rev. B. W. Harvey to introduce a Bill to make provision for the election of lay representatives to the General Synod. On the motion of the Rev. T. Fancodrt, a committee was appointed to consider the regulations regarding the issue of licenses for the erection of enclosures in burial grounds. To consist of Rev. B. K. Taylor, Rev. A. Knell, Messrs. W. M. Bannatyne, C. P. Powles, A. W. Halcombe, and the mover ; three to form a quorum. The Synod then elected the Hou. C. J. Pharazyn as Diocesan Auditor. The Synod then passed the following motion :—“That a Diocesan Board be appointed, in accordance with Statute 16 General Synod, for the purpose of considering the general fitness for the office of the ministry of persons who may desire to become candidates for deacon’s orders. To consist of Archdeacon Stock, tho Rev. B. W. Harvey, and Messrs. E. Pearce and T. Buchanan.”

The Synod then went into committee to consider the provisions of a Bill, introduced at the last General Synod, intituled, a Statute to limit and define the powers of tho General Synod in reference to alterations of the services, formularies, and articles of the Church, and the authorised version of the Holy Scriptures, and to settle tho mode of procedure in reference thereto.

The Synod then adjourned to 7.30 p.m. next day.