DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 247, 20 October 1886, Page 5

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Auckland Diocesan Synod met again ye3terday afternoon, Bishop Cowie presiding.

Pamphlet.—A donation of 200 copies of a pamphiot intending to impress upon children the necessity for preventing cruelty to animals was received from Mr MsCullough.

Cathedral Site —The report on this subject was orderod to be considered today.

Church Fund.—A motion by Mr Ewlngtop, providing that steps be taken to raise the nucleus of a fund of £10,000 whorewith to augment the stipends of the clerjry of the diocese, was withdrawn after some discussion, and it was agreed, on the motion of Rev. W. Tebbs, " That the Standing Committee be requested to try to give effect to the recommendation of the Select Committee to organise a fund to augment tho salaries of the clergy."

Pension Board.—The report of this Board was again taken into consideration. —Mr Speight moved, " That no systom under which pensions, retiringallowances,or other aids to clergymen or their families become payable can be deemed satisfactory which does not settle in a definite manner the amounts so payable, together with the conditions of payment, and mako compulsory upon clergy and parishes to contribute to the fund necessary for these purposes." His object was the destruction of the present system as being totally inadequate. The motion was discussed at some length, and was eventually carried on the voices. The clauses of the report were then considered at length. It was agreed on Mr Gould's amendment that when a clergyman's widow's annuity lanly extends a certain number of years, this annuity bo reduced per annum according to an equitable calculation, and tho pension be continued as long as she lives. It was slso agreed, on Archdeacon Dudlcy'fi resolution, "That on the event of too marriage or remarriage of a clergyman the Board should be at liberty to rearrange tho terms of his subscription."—Progress wasreported, and the Synod adopted the resolutions passed in Committee. It wasagreed,on Mr Speight's resolution, " That the Board for the coming year b© requested to prepare for the next session of the Synod, a plan for the carrying out of <ho foregoing resolution, such plan to include scale of payments and benefits." Archdeacon Dudley and the Key. C. M. Nelson were appointed tho clerical members of the I'eneion Board, and on Mr Larkins's motion it was agreed that the Pension Board ba instructed to ask an explanation ot the clergymen and districts who have sent in no returns of surplice fees or offertories for the last year why they have not done bo. Cemetery Committee —The report of this Committee was to the effect that under present arrangements the Waikomiti cemetery was practically inaccessible, and that the trustees of St. John's College bo requested to set apart and open up forthwith a portion of the College estate as a Church of England cemetery. Mr Tebb3 said tho cost to St. John's would be only one-half of wh it it was to Waikomiti. - Several speakers referred to the unsuitability of the present cemetery, and the report was adopted on the voices.