ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2318, 13 February 1892, Page 4

ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

Wellington, Feb. S. ; At this afternoon’s sitting of the General Synod, the Bishop of Auckland presented a memorial from the Synod of the of Auckland praying that the Legislature should be petitioned to allow the Lord’s Prayer to be read daily in state schools. On the motion of the Bishop of Dunedin a select committee was appointed to take into consideration the working of the present Maniage Acts, with a view to make such suggestions as may appear to them calculated to protect the sanctity of marriage, and to report to the Synod. On the motion of Mr E. C. Quick (Dunedin) a committee was appointed to consider the' question of funeral reform, and to “suggest some means by which funerals may bo conducted with less ostentation and expense, and in a manner more expressive of Christian hope. Feb. 9. A resolution was passed, expressing the Synod’s sense of the great services rendered to the Church of New Zealand, and especially to the diocese of Nelson, by Bishop Suter, and assuring Mrs S liter of its profound sympathy with her in the critical state of her husband’s health, whichihas necessitated his resignation. At to-night’s sitting of the Synod, the second reading of Bishop Neville’s Bill for constituting a board of missions for the Ecclesiastical Province of New Zealand was negatived, there not being a majority of each order in favour of it as required by the rules of the Synod. The division list was as follows: Ayes—Bishops 3; Clergy 13; Laymen 9. Noes—Bishops 1; Clergy 5; Laymen 12. Feb. 10. At this afternoon’s sitting of the Synod the following motion was proposed by the Dean of Christchurch; Synod regard with anxiety the present atate and prospects of Christianity among the larger portions of the Maori population, and earnestly commends to the sympathy and intercession of Christians throughout New Zealand the efforts which are being made for the recovery of those portions of the country which have lapsed from the faith.” The debate on the motion was interrupted by the 5.45 adjournment. Speaking to the motion of grants being made out of the funds of the general church funds to different Bishopric endowment funds Archdeacon Dudley (Auckland) commented strongly on the unsatisfactory position in which most of the Bishopric endowment funds stand. He said that none of the bishoprics, with the exception of Christchurch, were adequately endowed, and that it was a reproach and scandal to the Church that when a see became vacant it was necessary to look around for a man possessed of private means; in fact, to make his wealth one of the principal considerations. At the Synod to-night the motion for the second reading of the Bill to make addition to the canon in order to provide for special Maori lay representation in the diocesan synods was negatived. Feb. 11.

At the Synod this afternoon the select committee on funeral reform brought up the following report:—“ That this Synod observes'with satisfaction that there is in many places a growing tendency towards greater simplicity in funerals, and urges upon the clergy and Christian people generally the importance of using their influence in that direction.”

The Bishop of Auckland’s motion re reading the Lord’s Prayer in the public schools was debated at considerable length. The Biehop of Christchurch and the Bishop of Dunedin spoke against the motion, which they regarded as inexpedient. Eventually the motion was withdrawn. A scene occux’red at to-night’s sitting of the Synod. The Synod had just adopted certain resolutions about trust property, which had been passed in committee, when the Rev. A. R. Fitchett (Dunedin) rose with a copy of the Standing Orders in his hand. He had got as far as :saying that he desired to make a personal explanation, when the Primate rising hastily interrupted him by stating that ho could not permit the order of business to be interfered with by any extraneous matter. Ha therefore called upon the Dean of Christchurch to proceed with the motion for the second reading of his Bill, which was the next order on the paper. Mr Fitchett pointed out that he was acting in conformity with the Standing Orders.

The Primate again interrupted him, and said he would adjourn the Synod unless the Dean of Christchurch went on with his motion.

The Dean of Christchurch rose to proceed with his Bill, when Bisho • Neville, of Dunedin, stepped down from his seat and passed into the retiring room, unrobing as he went through the Synod chamber. He was immediately followed by Mr Fitchott and the rest of the clerical and lay representatives of the Diocese of Dunedin, amidst the applause of a section of the Synod. The Bishop of Christchurch and Sir John Hall followed, and about half an hour afterwards, Bishop Neville, Mr Fitchett, and their following members from Dunedin, reappe ired in the chamber, and resumed their seats. The business in the moantim) had been going on.