MISSION WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 13 February 1904, Page 6

MISSION WORK.

T3ie Bishop of Christehorch moved at the meeting of the General Anglican Synod Friday afternoon the third reading of tie bill to set up a Maori Mission Board, which was agreed to, and the bill passed on the voices amidst acclamation. Archdeacon Cole moved: "That a standIng order be made directing that the third day of each ordinary session of the General Synod be devoted to the consideration of home and foreign mission work." He spoke eloquently in support of more time being devoted "to discussing matters connected ■svitli mission work Bishop Wilson advocated something definite being done for missions. He considered it would be rather a help to have a fixed day for the discussion of such a subject. The ttiotion, after discussion, was lost, several members pointing out that a. filed date might prove unsuitable. A further motion by Archdeacon Cole, '"Chat a Board of Missions be appointed in each diocese by tie Dioceean Synods, wtose duty it shall be to promote and VJeu interest in the nilssiouary work of <J*. Church In every parish and parochial district," was also lost. Rev. H. W. Williams moved: "T-bat in view of tl*e fact tLat the Gh-ureh of tlie Province of New Zealand has undertaken the supervision and maintenance of the Maori Mission, it is desirable Oiat the General Synod should have control of all funds which a.re generally available for this purpose, and the General Synod therefore requests the New Zealand Mission Trust Board to consider whether, in the best Interests of the work, they can st-e their way to place at the disposal of the General Synod the income arising from Lhe property which they hold." Rev. Williams pointed out that the New Zealand Mission Trust Board had an annual income of £900. which at present went to the maintenance of the college at Te Rau for educating native dearly. Of that stun £400 was expended in salaries, £75 Kites and taxes, £75 for travelling expenses of students, and £350 for their miainterrance. Dean FMtc-hett: "For how many studeivtsS" Rev. Williams: "There were live at the end of last year." Dean iluvell seoonded the motion, saying it -n-onld be to the interests <xf the Maori Ohurch wort in this country. He complimented the Board for the work done in the past, bnt trusted it would band over the income to the new Mission Board. The present principal of Te Rau College, after two years' service, went for a year's holiday. It seemed strange he could find time to leave such important work after only two years' service. He considered the col--1-ege Would do better in some larger centre than Gisborne —Au-ekland for preference as an adjunct to St. John's. He thought that srfiolaj-ships should b/> given to candidates Soy native ministry at St. John's College, and they should be educated side by side with the Knropeans. Bishop Mules explained that the principal was called away on business connected wilii tlie death of the head of his family. The tone of Dean Hovell's remarks was therefore absolutely undeserved. Dean Hovell said he was unaware of that fact, or he should not have referred to the absence of the principal of Te R-au College. Rev. W. Beatty said it was not desirable at the present Juncture to inquire into the management of Te Rau College. De-ail Fitchett said he 'had. a motion dealing with the sajtne subject, which might be de-alt with at the present juncture, and added to that of the Rev. Mr Williams. It was. "That it Is essential to the working of the Mflori Mission Board now being constituted that the income of ail trusts held lor the general purposes of the Maori Miesion should he at the disposal of the Board." His own feeling was that whatever Archdeacon Williams wanted in this matter the Synod ought. If possible, to do. They should also consider whether £900 a year cotrld not be better expcnd-ed tnan in the education of only five students. Rev. Mr Williams said it was five at the end of the year, but there had been more than that number in other years. Bishop Julkis trusted those" words -would not be added. That money was raised in England and placed in the hands of trustees to use at tlieir discretion. At the same time he considered it would be deslra-ble to hand over that money. They could not demand it ac a right. Bishop Williams said the Mission Board had received a good many knocks that it had not deserved. lie did not agree with the Dean of .Dunedin that it was essential all the trusts should be placed in the hands of the new Mission Board. He quite agreed it was desirable the whole thing should be under the management of one board. In past years there had been as many as 12 and 13 students at the college. The New Zea-Vand Mission Trust Board was desiroas the work it had begun should be carried on as thoroughly as possible. Deaji Fitchett dropped the suggested ad- : dition, and the original motion was adopted.