DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Southland Times, Issue 698, 19 July 1867, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

(FromttieKiyttolton Times," June 19.). ■ ; " Vv. — — — • ■ ' . N The openipg of tlurSynod yesterday. DiTine Service St. Michael's Churcli, at 10.30 Win. The following clergymen .ifere present 1 : The- Tery Eer. tlje v Dean of •^Cfe^tchurct, thetEevds Canon -Dudley, JJ* A., fengard, E. "S. Jackson, J. OB Hoare, H. Torlesse, W. W. W-fflob'k, G. Carpenter, and E. TurrelL . . ;. . -- .-.,-- —' • "=' Prayers were offered by the Very Key. the Dean of Chrisfchuroh. The first lesson -was read by the Eev. Canon "Dudley, ahd'the second by the Very Key. the Dean of Christchurch; The most Holy Eucharist was administered,- . The proceeds of the offertory' "were devoted towards .defraying the expenses of the Synod, " '■' f . ....., The members of the Synod then adjourned to the ..Freemasons' -Hall, which -had been: courteously, Iqnt for the purpose. ; . " ! The roll of the synodsmen, both, .clerical and lay," ' haying been called over, ' the, Bight Rev. Chairman offered prayers, after which the Synod \ras declared duly constituted. His Lordship the Bishop proceeded to deliver the following change : — .:> . " "My EEVEHEim ßbethben asd jßbethbeh op . the Laity:— „ - '•..•-.: • ■ " The assembling of our Synod at this time, after 80 short, a notice, wi11, ..1 fear, have occasioned you some inconvenience ; but haying decided that it was my duty, in compliance with th 9 invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to attend the Conference :!of the Anglican Commission, which is about, to be held at Lambeth, I was .desirous not only of taking council with you. on those Diocesan mattes Which may require a'speedy settlement, but'especiaily'of ascertaining the sentiinerits 'of bur ' DiqcesaM Ch'uxch," in reference tp: some important questions; whielx are, likely tp.engas:e tho/attention of the ,Oonference ; and in . no, other way could I more . satisfactorily accomplish this" than through the "Synod, Which' virtually represents the Church in this diocese. '- - "-The qnestion- in which perhaps we are most deeplyriinterested, is that bearing upon the relations of ;,the ( Colonial Church to the Crown and the" Mother" Cburch. „ „, : .. "We cannot, I think, have considered with attention the recent important judgments of the Judicial Committeei of .the Privy Council without coming to the conclusion that, as.areligous body, • the Church of England in the colonies haa no connexion "with the Crown, excepting such connexion as may have been incidentally created by *h> issuing an acceptance of the Letters Patent, under- I . which the Colonial Bishops have been hitherto-appointed. The plain .import of these judgments ' appeears to be that the Church of .England in thb Colonies, which has, as we have here, '"ato .independent legislature, stands in the eye of -We law on the same footing as any other, rel^ous .community. It, is quite true that since th© judgmeate;.of,the Privy -Council were delivered another judgment; has . been given by the Master. of 'tEe'Bolls^ which' seems to' imply that the Church of England in_the Colonies is, in "some sense, still t 'a :^part of the Established Church of Engfondjlandfiubjeefctherefore, to the ecclesiastical laws of England, with/the, Sovereign in, England as its Bupreme head, and the Privy Council as its final Court of A*ppeaT^""hut "not to i mention that thiflLiial flie judgment of ari ; inferior' ■ court, and cannot therefore: .oyeride the judgments -of j the Judicial. Committee, of _the Privy. Council, the Imp' emT Government in two recent 'instances triflSwMSK%e are-acquamted, under the advice of the-legal officers-of the Crown has acted' pn the deriaionß.of.the Privy Council, viz., in refusing to issue, Letters, Patent in the case of Bishops who •were consecrated irfEriglaiid for. this Colony, and in -declining to interfere, byltoyal Mandate or license,- in the consecration of a coadjutor- Bishop ' ©lec^ed ; by the Synod ef the Diocese of Toronto. 4 „ -r ,, ( ; BOYAL.STJEEEItACY. ... ■. -■ :j "^e nhn6(i.ponclude, therefore, that the Crown does not' consider' itself . legally empowered to exercise authority over the Colonial Church as its^pe'rsonal head ; in other words, J that the" BoyaL Supremacy as' regards the Church ; do6s notjextend-toJfchosajCplonies-to. which.an independent legislature has been granted. ;■ 11 nttBOBABrjjIT.Y. .OF iSirCH.9UPBEIIA.OY B3ING-. ''*''" "\ '"ESTABUSHBb. . .. ..':.. "Nor is there any probability, so far as I am. Bblfi^'jtidgej that such" supremacy, 'in any form ' or ;degre»J*iri : ecclesiastical matters;- will be' : estab-; lißhed byjhe-jmperial Legislature. :"W% -cannot have" watched the course of public opinion. in. England without observing. that, ey,en before, the, judgments of -the Privy Council^ the Imperial Parliament was opposed to all • legislation on be . half, qf,the Colonial Church,; because partly/ as it -would seem, the several bills (four, I belie ve, ' in ii'umber) -which were brought forward at dif- " ferenttiineg for this purpose gave, or appeared to' girej .to.the- :Ghurch a legal status which was not ' to be given. tq ; other religious bodies ; and partly from an unwillingness to supersede or interfere ■with the authority of the Colonial Legislatures ; and=i£'can r hardly be doubted but that the bbjection.^to all such legislation wiil be stronger at this-present. time, and that. the opinion of tho late i Colonial Secretary will, meet with, general acceptance, yik : — That the only safe course for the" lmperial Legislature 'to' adopt in respect of ecclesiastical matters, is just that ' which has been adopted in respect of civil matters^ namely, -to allow the colonies perfect freedom in self Tgpvernmen?; To : atteinpt' to take any course— to attempt to build upon 1 a shadowy foundatibn the prerogative of 7a 'quasi-established or privileged church, would Jbe to, .confer upon those colonies a useless and even, a mischievous boon. . _. ; „,..._. " INEXPEDIENCY OP. SITCH BTJPBEMACY. . «ilnr a , letter ;ii j&rom the Bishop. of.Londonj •which I published/pr general information, in the newspapers a'few'imohths since, an inquiry made 'how far the Eoyal supremacy, as acknowledged hy ihe .TTnited, Church of England and Ireland,. : can : be maintained,. in the Colonial Churches. .If the authorities in England decline'to exercise any control" in ecclesiastical, matters in the' fcolonies, 1 either as heretofore by 11 thelvappointment of Bishops or by- sanctioning their .appointment, or by. obtaining from the Im-jj perial Legislature pqwera which the Crown does not"'a ; t preseni possess, the only way by which the Koyal Bup'remacy can be acknowledged in: the ' colonies, : must be by an act of oup own, by a voluntary engagement, on our part to -recognise; the ; Queen's authority as the head of the; Church; bnifeit must be clearly understood that the Eoyal Bupremacy, by this recognition of it, would not carry with it the same power as it does in the Church at home, where it forms a part of the law of the; hind, ... There' J ,wpuld be no -legai obligation, binding "on. the. Colonial Church (excepting .so jar as We "might ctoose of ourselves) -.to v accept ecclesiastical rules or. canons which; might obtain the assent of the. Crow j there would be.

I no appeal -from the Church here, or from any tribunals or courts "which we might agree to establish, to any of the courts in England, except through the Supreme Court;" and no appeal even f com the Supreme Court to the. Judicial Commitfe of the Privy; Council in ecclesiastical cases in Which' the Archbishops : and Bishop of London may' sit as assessdrsA The, appeal would be to the -Judicial pominiftee "of the; Privy .Council, such' as , that by >hich the'-recent judgments have be'eit .gijren, which'is J ''equally_open to "any. religious "aenomination. '^ln other words, we should gain nothing moreTlh^our recognition of the Eoyal Bupremaoy^m^apy :> 'ecclesiastical suits, than that whic^rwe^'alseady. ' possess aa citiz'e'nii* "of the" omp§e. ;^ ; '.■•■■ o r f) r ■i; ; «' OHTTBCJH^bONSTrniTIOK.' -"^Te have, it inay>lje said, already placed ourselves, so far as^are are able, .under .the authority of! the vCrown, by the fundamental provisions of Oiir Constitution- Deed, v> in "which we :: have dqclarea that 'we shall have no 'piwer to* make atiy.alteration in the authorized version, of the' Hbly Scriptures, or in the formularies of the ' piiurch, excepting such as shall bo adopted by the Ufrited Church of England and Ireland, with the consent of ' the Crown and Convocation," arid by making it necessary that 'we should have a .license from the Crown both to frame new and mpdify existing rules, not affecting doctrine, with the view of meeting the peculiar circumstances of the colony and people.' !" We have thus limited, to a certain extent; our freedom of action by provisions which we : call fundamental, and which it is not within the poVer of the General Synod, or of any Diocesan Synod to alter, revoke, add to, or dhninieh. . . i" It may be a question, however (and this is a matter for which we must be prepared), whether if ; your Church here be that which I have assumed it to be, a voluntary society, over which the Crown has no authority in ecclesiastical cases,' arid over which no such! authority, shall be given, the separation of the'Clirch from the State, which is referred to in the fourth of these -ftlndamental provisions, ha* not already in effect taken place ; and if so, whether the General Synod has riot full power under this provisjon to make all alterations in the articles, services, and ceremonies in our Branch of the^Church its altered circumstances iriay require, or to make such alterations as it may think fit in the authorised version of theßible." 1 ''' U- •• : ::/ : :'. - - '?■" ■ •" This provieion was inserted among the fundamental provisions in compliance with an opinion expressed by eminent legal authorities in England, that the property of the Church iv New Zealand, vested, in trustees under the : General Synod, might be placed in jeopardy, unless .provision were made for the contingency of a separation of New Zealand from tho mother country, and for that of an alteration in "the existing relations between Church arid State. I 'need hardly say that at the time when this provision was inserted in the Deed of Constitution . we "regarded tlie colonial Church here, as we had been led to do by the" authorities in England, from whom the Bishops derived their letters patent, as identified with the United Church' of England and Ireland, subject, through the Queen's supremacy, tdrthe same ecclesiastical laws. :It would seem now. that this was an unwarranted assumption on pur part ;. that,, at all events, since it has ..been judicially tested in the highest courts "of law, it has been' found destitute' of any : legarfburida;ti6ri, arid can have none, except by the aid of the Imperial' Parliament or >the ColQnial.Legislature:. . ."The result would seem to be, that we are at liberty: not only , to frame .. rujea... for pur internal organisation and government^ hut if. the General Synod should think' fit to do sO/may^ without irifririgeirient;of any existing law,'make- alterations in the. authorised version: of the Holy: Scriptures, and the formularies^ of, the. Cnurch. ; I state in plain terms that appears to me to p& the position of our New Zealand Church at this time \ I have gathered my opinions from the writings of those who may be supposed to-be fully conversant jwith the subject, and. who are far. better able than I am to arrive at a sound and unbiassed judgment, .ou, the .'present relations between our Church arid the State. One thing i 3 evident, that we have done nothing on our part to' 'sever these relations. Our Church Constitution 'was prepared ,in the full persuasion that the Eoyal supremacy had a place in. the Oolonial. Church;and we were content that it should be so, .or rather, I should say,' that it never^ entered 1 into our minds, thafdtishotild be Otherwise, at least in our days. •It canjneyerho said, with any degree of truth, that the separation between pur Church : and State has been, brought about by any act of oilr own, or by. any expression of . dissatis/action with the supposed connexion of the Colonial -Church-.andltho State. , Lean say with confidence of myself; and , I have, no doubt . my r episcopal brethren' can' say 'the.-'same'i that' ,we accepted' in simple 'faith'tne'Eoyai 1 Letters Patent which im- ; plied, that connexion. It would seem, however, • that we' had misunderstood -them ; that they were void; in law- for all; ; purposes , of establishing . and maintaining a connexion between the Church in ; this colony 'and- the Crown. That bur Church \ here^ notwithstanding the Eoyal mandate under which>our conßecration to our office took place, ,was in the same relation with any other religious tqdy — in no better, but in no worse. "VVe accordingly respectfully' tendered the resignation of our Letters Patent, and accepted our position as having only the. spiritual- authority incidental to our office, which was all that the. decision of the Privy Council permitted us to claim, and which was not affected by the surrender of the Letters Patent. ' . Whether, therefore, if left- to ourselves, we should have desired or not. the severance of the supposed connection between our Church and the^ State, We cannot, I think, do otherwise now than accept that severance as a fact, or rather, I would say, as a; dispensation.' of the Providence 'of Almighty God, which, whether, for good or evil, has been permitted to, come upon us. ,It is nothr ing more, perhaps, than what we riiight have anticipated, judging from the freedom of action in civil matters Trhich is accorded to > thfr i c6lpmes'; and the question which most concerns Uis,i is liow we may use for good the like freedom , of action, which seems to be accorded to us in ecclesiastical matters. ~ ' ' '.. ... '■ " oomsraxioK. wits the mother chtjech. . .. ,. , • "There ip one^tking, lam persuaded, which we . - shaJl all desire to maintain, so far as may be possible —our' 'connexion with the Mother Church, 1 even.thongh we might seem- to impose thereby Boine ; restraint upon our liberty. We must deaire.to continue one. with her in doctiine and goyernmerit, because . such ' doc.trine and government are the inheritance of the Catholic Church of iChrist, irito rr which" God has called us in order to'our salvation ; and it'seems to me that though we may require a large amount of liberty for theordering of our own affairs, for the promotion of discipline among ourselves, and for . the -adaptation of the miniktrationa of the Church to the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed, it is needful for the inainteriance ; of; union' among pureeJiyea ; and the several bra^ghef. of; the'

Anglican Church, that -we should not altogether stand alone. We need some aid, I would almost say some control from ■without; such a control which, though it may. not have the direct force, of law, in the ordinary sense of the term, or be,en--forced by the Court established in England' under thejQueen's authority, may be yet bidding upon us by some act or declaration of our' p'wnj We cannot expect that the ; Imperial Parliament will aid us in >thia. through . thd. Ecclesiastical. Courts in Ezigltfnd^ And no cry*! courts xeC Erig-i land, however high in authority, would meet our requirements. They would not enter upon those points .which .we might, desirajto hraig^before^ ineW— pbihts/ ' perhaps, "bearing '"dnfecfly" uporf \somrTitatrtenet"of'Our reh'giofij'tfesides $his^ the expenses attending an appe'al'-lrom hence,' either to the ecclesiastical or civil courts t m England, as al; presenTjconstituted, would amount hi many, instances almost tb'a denial' of justice; ''■• ''■■'' ' - r '<" ■' - •_ "COTTETOT iLPPEA^ ' ' /.^ ;"I am Veil aware, that by the statute .and common law of the Church : in the earliest times,, all ; ecclesiastical causes were determined , in the' Province to which they belonged, in Synod or courts assembled under the presidency of the Metropolitan ; but then it must be remembered that the suffragan Bishops who formed with the Metropolitan the .provincial Synods or courts, were many more in number than they are with us, and brought therefore to the decision of every case the authority of numbers, as well as the judgment of many minds.. _ It is evident that some time must elapse, the Provincial , Church of New Zealand, even though it may be represented by wise 1 and godly pastor's, can carry with it the weight of these ancient provincial Synods — such weight as will be needful to give full effect to the decisions of a court of appeal in New Zealand;., and. it was doubtless on tliis account that in the sixteenth clause of the Dbed of Constitution provision was made for the establishing of a court of appeal from the decision of any tribunal in. New Zealand.- It is not prescribed where such a court should be held, or how it is to be constituted ; but the clause .evidently contemplates a court .outside of our ec-' clesiastical province, and so removed from -the local influences which might r affect the decisions of our. New Zealand tribunals. It is but natural, and dutiful that we should seek for such a Court of Appeal in our mother Church ; and it may. not be impossible that a court of this character may be established, with the consent' of tlie several Colonial- Churches, and so contribute most essentially to the maintenance of Unity of doctrine and discipline in those churches, and bind tketn in' close communion with each other and With the church from which they spring. T will not venture to point out of whom the court of appeal should consist;- I would only say that, in my -opinion, it.. should be a court brought into existence before any case for its decision may arise; that it should represent as fiilly'as possible the mind of the United Church of England and Ireland ; not as it may tie interpreted by the religious partisans of the day, but" as it is expressed, in the creeds and formularies of the , Church. There is a certain latitude, of opinion allowed by our Church, and wisely so ; biit "this latitude can not be permitted to extend to: those sacred truths which the Church lias re-^ ceived to hold from the; Church universal in iti' undivided state, and. which have^been 1 taught, in. all times as .necessary to. salvation. ;• These truths , our Church must; still maintain r and deolare,. whether the world be willing' to Veceive ' theth or not; And any' court : of appeal wEichma'y'- be establised in connection with our Colonial ; Church^ must speak on such, matters with no', stammeringtongues. ..•- ... „ ,-,, " .:.-•; „ , ■'~-].--yjr\ \ '" ' . " CONFERENCE AT TjAMBETH. „. ■ •...-.• ", On. this pointy as, well,: as in reference to the future* . relations of the Colonial Church to . the Mother Church, either' with" or without" any -connexion 'with the state-quostion3 of the ' utmost interest : to - 1 the Colonial Church, and rtherefore likely to. be.^considered at the Conference at Lambeth, I shall be glad to take ..with mk spme expression of ; ppinip.n.on part, of this" Synod, though " T must' be permitted "to " hold my own opinion in- bne ' particular, viz./that if,' as I have assumed from the judgments J of -.the Privy Council j and. the. subsequent line>:of action pursued by .the. late Colonial Secretaries, add as it would seem" in its main" points en- : ddrsed by the present Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Church" has' in' law" nirconnexion with the Btate ; in other words, thafthe Crowji ih'the Colonies has no legal (supremacy in matters ec"clesiajjtical, and it is.nof expedient to seek to estab- , lisystteh'a'coriiiexionV'The Sovereigns,' wtio'se stib> jedts. we are, and, under ,whose dominion I trust w4 aiid our children and children's children may continue to be, cannot be in : th'eif ; capacity as Sovereigns the nursing-, fathers. ; and nursing;, 'mothers of our Churcb ; but we may. be hampered in lour endeavors to fulfil bur mission among our fellow-subjects 1 in the colonies' by any connexion ; with the Crown, 1 which. ■ may seem to . place us in a • ; position of privilege I beyond that belonging to other religious bodieß ; and sfill more so, if through that connexion we are Bubject to Jaws' which, however suited t6 an established National Church, are in many respects inapplicable to Colonial Churches,- and-, tocourts representing the supremacy of the Crown, which cannot be approached, by us without a '■ wasteful expenditure of time and money. > At the same time, there'is need at the present time, "and may be, I think, for some time to come,' of* a copimon authority to which an appeal' may be allowed on disputed questions: of faith and discipline ; ar\d such an authority, -unconnected, with the State, I would seek'rin the. Mother Church, and it should have with' Tis a' binding force, though it might not carry with it the direct force of law or of a judgment of the ecclesiasticalcourts in England. • .. • " Other matters, no doubt, in which the wel-, fare and progress of the Church are concerned, will be broughtrbefore the Crnference ; but as the' Archbishop's letter has- explained, the Conference 'will not be competent to make ideclarations, or to lay down definitions on points of doctrine ;'— most certainly none, which might tend to narrow the present' terms "of connexion with the Church. But 'short of such declarations' and' definitions," ■ there : may be expressions of opinion that may help to reassure the faith of those whose minds have been dis turbed by recent publications and judgments;' and measures may be suggested wliich, thought not obligatory'as canons or ecclesiastical laws', may me 6t c with ready acceptance in all parts of our communion, and contribute much' to 'the preservation of ecclesiastical • order, to the : maintenance of union, and to the nourishment and development of the inner life of the Church. 'fDIOOESAK^A^TEBS,- .. ■ • ■■ : T c ;<-v---f Among matters of local importance; which I ehbuld wish the Synod to consider, I desire to call your attention to the necessity .of making some immediate provision for, the spiritual wants bt! the lunatic asylum 1 at-'-Sunnyside, and, if possible; for those of the hospitals and gaols/*>f ; Ctoistchuych a»d Lyttelto^. : Thas© ins&tutiona

must not be overlooked- by our Church in her ministrations. It seemed^to be "the opinion of the Synod at: its last, session! that sbme special provision should beanadevfor! such institutions in Christchurch— that: they: should constitute in effect, a' separate- cure, -'anct be dealt with "as such, iriasmiich as the duties connected with them, if fully carried out,_ Vould be : sufficient to; occupy the -whole services of a clergyman, Accordingly^ a grant of ;aT^similar,. amount to ' itiiat allotted to other cufes/^was^set lipart./o'r "this pnrpose ; but it-^is evident^ that if the institutions are to be^lasediimder-iihe special charge of a olergymanJ^Btoe-additional'means of support must be obtajpar "Were it nbffoifthV prgseiitrctepressgbr'si^^f. the provinces, I should not ftesitate'fo.relyj' kPbucli a case as this, on the jpluntary. s> cQntributipns. of the Chpcli v . .There would be "many, I "am sure, ready^ to assist in ; providing^ the •■•■ services • anoTjWnsolations of "re- '• ligionfor dthe.affiioted in: mind land body ; and they would regard the institutions, , though' situated :in Christchurch,. .as provincial institutions, and therefore having a direct claim on the. sympathy and charitable aid of : all parts of' the- ""• " '■•'■" : ' "■'■'■ ■'■>-'■ ' ■*' '''' i " It will be for the Synod to' consider -whether; if \ an appeal to: the Church -generally would, under present circumstances, ,be - unseasonable, . iibw the spiritual wants of these institutions m»y be otherwise r ßupp]ied v ' ' '. „ HO3IB MISIpIT. . , . "Clergymbn are still needed foV the districts which, in the report of last iSynod on the. Home Mission, were 'mentioned as; being unprovided with clergymen. ■ „...,,. - '^. '■ I:■■.1 ':■''■. "I have visited since Easter parts/bf. three of. these districts; and have come to.' the cpnclusioh that, with the usual aid from the general funds of the Church, sufficient iueans might be. obtained for the support of a missionary. . clergyman in the Southern District, between the Eangitata and the Waitangi, not included in the cures of Timarau and (Jeraldine.- -There' are' several centres 6f popixlatipn (chiefly agricultural) on this side of' Timarau. and .in the country beyond -.J it,in ivhich thje services of a clergyman . would be .gladly welcomed; but /in no part is the. population, sufficiently numerous" to" : maintain," hy itself, .aT clergyman. Enough, however, might I think 1 be obtained for this purpose, by- forming, the whole distriot, with .the exception:, of the cures of Tiinarau and Geraldine, into a miseionarycure-r an;d the. station-holders would willingly .assist. This . missionary cure would be of considerable extent, and the usefulness ancf f; success^ of ! it would depend, not so much on Sunday - service, . which would, of ' course, be chiefly giveu where the largest number might be , able to attend,, but on the periodical visits extending to ill parts of the district. "It may be seen by the circular which I have laid" upon the table, and which has baeu forwarded to the principal inhabitants.- of ; the two :distriet3 situated between the Waimakariri and Bian<ntata rivers, how 1 have, proposed to, meet ' the spiritual wants of these .districts. The plan which- 1 would reccommend is that" the- two districts should' be formed also into & -missionary cure.;; but I have not..yet. asceitained.- fully whether this would meet the wishes, of. the inhabitants. I know that there' are ;86meTvhp ,are etiU of an opinion that each of the ' districts shotfld-have its own resident clergyman.' '■ But l not to' mention the large amount- -of: contributions' would be required under thaV arrafagflment' from, each of :the districtsj an , -amount which perhaps |there would be some.. difficulty in raising,rl. am satisfied thai 1 an active clergyman might fulfil, "wiibh equal profit the duties of his office/b y J hls' petiodicalryisits, . such visits .-as "-wouldr bring him into "personal communication with the residents^ of i each house and station, and enable on fitting; occasions;! to -collect- them i together; : fo.i some rehgiouß service. /And I am borne out in ; this opinion by several, residents yhom . , l-havp liad^the opportunity of consulting pnthis' point:'- . " There will be greater difficultiea in providing for the spiritual wants of those parts' of '-'Bariks^ Pdninsula that are not included in the parishes of •Altaroa and Governor's Bay,, not only ; because.? 'they cannot be visited periodicaliy without great fatjigue, but because however, willing .the inhabitants niay be tP contribute '' towardB 1 the support' of a clergyman, 'not- 'much can be expected from them. Itisa district' wliich, for,; : s6me time to ■ come, ,- mpst be largely- assisted from the ; general funds t of the, >Cliurch ; and I trust that the Synod, in its cial "arrangements for the current year will °be eniib r led ; td ■ make' some suitable pravisioh- for thia 1 district;- -rlt is ;jnosfc certainly one'.which'.'has an especial claim .upon our ; consideration^ and I refer „to it . mpre especially at . the present, time^, because the r .incumberit '_"_ of. Grovernor's Bay, whoT ; .'iß |well ' acquainted. with" the inhabitants 1 : of the" several bays : of J the ; Penirisu'la, is willing to- include' them in bis .spiritual charge; and visit.thenx fromi time to time, if such visits should be found to be compatible with his duties, in Governor's Bay. Thje cure of Governor's ; Bay is already '.included in the number of those cures receiving aid from the Assisted' Parishes Fund ; but I should be glad' if < some additional aid could be: give m.r n. which might secure for the bays of the Peninsula the ser| vices of a second clergyman, acting under the -direction of the incumbent of Governor's Bay, and co-operating^ with him in his missionary work. : :: : : '! ! ■■•. ! : '' i»EAW AITD CHAP.TEE. •• :; "I propose delegating to the Dean and Canon during the period of my absence-from, tlie diocese; ths exercise of such functions appertaining to jiny office which are not necessarily limited to the episcopate. Any twP of the Canons, in conjunction with the Dean of Christchurch, or-in his absence with the Archdeacon ofWcstland, will' be. empowered to act. in my behalf ; and Iwpuld request that all communications on ' dibbesan matters wliich would be addressed to me may ba •addressed to the Dean, to be by him referred; to : the . piiapter. on all. matters of importance especially those affecting, the general welfare of. the diocese. The Dean and Chapter will consult with the Standing Committee of the Synod. All documents and licenses usually' issued in my name;, or under my seal, willbearJ the -"signature of the Dean or Archdeacon, and pf two at least of the, Canons. *..:•. .■■ ■■.■■■■ -•■- ..!•-, "I again express my willingness: to lay before . the Conference at/ Lambeth' any . questions; relating' to the general welfare of the Church,, and the promotion of true' religion • anS. godliness which the Synod may desire to have considered. And I wpulcl ask not only of the members of the Synod alone,, but of all the members of the Church in the diocese, their fervent prayers for an^ abundant outpouring . of . the Holy Spirit on. thpse 1 - ' whbf my attend the Conference, and for" direct ' guidance ; ; in - all their consultations and decisions j ..and I trust, also, I may request, without presumption, the prayers of the Diocesan Church oh my own behalf, that my attendance at the Conference i may, not be without' some spiritual profit, and that if I should have a proswrous journey* by the, yri)l oi ; Qod to return.

unto you, I may return -in jie'fuliißSS-vOf the blessmg of the (3-ospel of v Chiist;;and be a Jellowworker with you in settmg^fdith .^^gloryr^of God^ and-, setting forward the ealyatiori of ibe flock entrusted ! tb"our care.. 1 -' ;*]+:: /^ l^__ i-- \l \ ■ The Very "-Eev. the > Dban of 'OfißiSTCHtmci moved that the thankis bf^tliei Synod should^be givenito the B&hop foir his' taluable, chafge,-and that-oi should. be,apT^ited and fep| amongst the expressing his^jSpe that the atte^afi^~Sf^i|e Bißhop at the- Lambeth Conference wbqHjJje conducive to the best interests of the ChurcET --The. Rev. J. Wiison seconded the motion,: which was carried unanimously. The Rev. E. A. LmgarcPj^£&, appointed clerical, and Mr A. F. N. Blaiytsaiay secretary. The -report of .the. Stendhig Committee was „ laid upon the table. -„,._... , . ., „_, ._ _ _ , x !'"' I The '' Standing 'Orders', as observed : a't ! the last I session, were adhered to. ; ; 0 ' It was decided that 'the Synod should meet daily, at 4 p.m., with the exception, of Saturdays arid Sundays/ ■'-" " '-,'•• ' - ! ' : The Very Rev. the Dean of - Christchurch was elected Chrrman of fCpmmittees.,