NELSON.

Press, Volume II, Issue 44, 15 March 1862, Page 5

NELSON.

0 , 'J lO Proceedings of the General Synod of the Church England were opened at Nelson by the Lord jKsunpof N(;w 7 Jea) . ind 0 „ Felminrv r _ J-Jis delivered a very lengthened address, which ~' avp not '•pace t.> insert al length. The following •"•'•laiy nt the princiolo subjects touched upcn is >--njnlo_ f roul vatijiu „ J oca , .__

One of the most important measures of the session was the union of Bishop Patterson and the missionary bishopric of Melanesia on equal terms with the synodical system of New Zealand, and the appointment of trustees by the General Synod for the management of the endowment funds of that bishopric. This measure connects the Church of New Zealand with the most important mission in the Pacific, and gives it essentially the character of a missionary church. Another interesting feature was the report of the first Diocesan Synod of Waiapu, the members consisting of the Bishop of the Diocese, two English and three native clergymen and eighteen natives as lay-synodsmcn. The proceedings shewed an intelligent appreciation by the natives of the church system established in New Zealand, and the report of the committee ou endowment proved their earnest desire to place it on a permanent looting, since they had collected among themselves iv the diilerent districts in the diocese the sum of .£747 for the endowment of their native clergymen, and £257 towards the endowment of the bishopric. A most important claim was put forward by the Christchurch Synod with reference to the endowments or Church property belonging to that Diocese. According to the Church Constitution all Church property is conveyed to the General Synod or to trustees appointed on its behalf. The Christchurch Synod claimed " a right to deal independently with eelcsiiiatical property within its limits, without prejudice to its allegiance to the Chtwch Constitution, or the authoiity of the General Synod". A middle course was adopted to satisfy all parties. The 2Gth clause of the Constitution Act provides that all property held under the General Synod shall be subject to any special covenants and declarations of trust imposed by the donors, and assented to by the General Synod or Standing Commission ; and with this view, in the statute for delegating certain of the powers vested in the General Synod,under which the Standing Commission was appointed.a clause was introduced, appointing a Boa id of Trusts to manage the property in the present diocese of Christchurch, which includes the provinces of Otago and SouthlandOur space will hardly allow us to do more than refer in the briefest manner possible to a few other topics. The Constitution Deed was carefully considered by a committee appointed for that purpose, who suggested some alterations in the provisions not fundamental. The Statute for organizing the General Synod was altered in many essential particulars, especially in equalizing the representation, which is now iixed to three clerical and four lay representatives from each diocese. The statute for the formation of parishes has been altered so as to leavo it to each diocesan synod to define the duties of church wardens aud vestrymen, and to regulate other details as local circumstances may require. The statute for delegating certain powers of the general synod, besides constituting the board of trusts for the Christchurch dicceso, gives to the standing commission the power of interpreting trust deeds- The results of this session will be found valuable and important, chiefly that the synod has wisely refrained from more legislation than circumstances rendered indispensable, while a body of useful information is contained in the reports of the committees which may in several instances serve as the basis of future legislation.