ANGLICAN SYNOD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10278, 13 May 1919, Page 6

ANGLICAN SYNOD

CONCLUDING BUSINESS. -re«i Association.. NAPIER, May 12. At the Anglican Synod Archdeacon Kemptborne presented the report of the committee on accounts and financial matters, which was adopted. Tho Bishop of Auckland, in moving the adoption of the report of the select committee which was appointed to con. sider the present condition of the Melanesian Mission, said that all deeply regretted the resignation of th-r Right Rev. C. J. Wood as bishop, through ill-health.' He also stated that a Commission was set up by the mission to carry on the affairs of the dio. cose in the meantime, and that the staff had adopted the only course which was open to it. On the motion of the Dean of Waiapu it was resolved: “That the thanks of the Synod be given to the Rev. J. Asher, Modora tor-elect of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, for his gracious letter of greeting, and that the writer ho informed that his kind wishes are reciprocated by this Synod.’’ It was resolved that the next session of General Svnod be held in Auckland on April 27th, 1922, on the motion of the Bishop of Auckland. Various bills were passed through their final stages, and votes of thanks were passed. Letters of welcome are to be sent to General Sir Andrew Russell and General Richardson. The Synod then closed with a short thanksgiving service in the Cathedral. WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD BURDENED WITH FINANCIAL TROUBLES. Press Association.

WESTPORT. May 12. The Westport Harbour Board interviewed the Minister for Mines in regard to the operations of sections 103 and 109 of the Finance Act. 1915, and the regulations of the board thereon under which the Government imposed 21 per cent, additional charges on tho West-porfc-JMokihinui railway and wharves for war purposes, hut left tho board t* pay all the additional charges for material maintenance, also wages. Increases of salaries to its own harbour staff (arising out of war conditions) out of the ordinary revenue will result in the board being financially crippled. Up to March 3rd last the Government had taken from this source over £46,000.

The “Westport News,” which has had a good deal to say on tho question, contends that the Government’s action is illegal in that it cannot override tho Act of 1884 by which the board was given for specific purposes endowments and which endowments arc given as securities which from tim'e to time tho board has borrowed for harbour work construction.