DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1728, 19 September 1868, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

ADDRESS TO THB BISHOP OP TtSW ZEAXAND. The Very Rev. the Dean brought up the following report of the Committee appointed to draw tip an address to: Bishop Selwyn :— " To the Eight Rev. tnetiord Bi'shbp'of Lichfield and New Zealand, Metropolitan of the branch of the United Church of England and Ireland in New , Zealand. " Right Bey. Father in God, — " We, the Bishop, Clergy, and representatives of the Laity of the Diooese of Christchurch in Synod assembled, desire to express to your Lordship the mingled feelings of regret and thankfulness with which we regard your acceptance of'the . See- of LichfieldJ ; together with your contemplated resignation of the Bishopric of New Zealand, and of the office of Metropolitan of this ecclesiastical diocese. " Many of us remember with gratitude and pleasure the fostering care with which your Lordship exercised, under circumstances of great difficulty over the struggling Church in the Canterbury settlement during its earliest years, when your Lordship's visits, necessarily few and far between, were regarded both in' anticipation and retrospect with feelinge of the deepest interest both by clergy and people, and especially we bear in mind that it is to your Lordship's exertions and influence that we mainly owe the foundatiou of our diocese, and the appointment of our first bishop. "We cannot but regrot the approaching severance of the direct tie which has bound your Lordship so closely and for so many years to ; lho .Church in ..ti.is country ;at the same time that regret ie softened by thankfulness, when we reflect that it has pleased Almighty G-od to grant such marked success to your labours in this part of the world, as in other respects, so especially in those two great-works which will over-be associated with the name of Bishop Selwyn, the establishment of the Meltinesian Mission, and the successful organisation of our Church in New Zealand.

" It'will ever be a source of satisfaction to the Church in this country that your Lordship is about to be separated from her, not by yonr own will, but in obedience to the command of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, seconded by the strongly eipreesed wiehee of his Grace 'the-Archbishop of Canterbury ; and ire feel assured, that, though jou will bo far removed from us by distance, your affection towards the Church in this country will never be diminished, and that the interests of the Colonial Church In general will ever find in jour Lordship a warm friend and advocate.

" We cannot regard it otherwise than as a marked dispensation of Divine Providence that your Lordship has been thus called to the headship of an important diocese in England, and to take a leading part in the councils of our Mother Country, at a crisis or , such extreme gravity, when she is surrounded by so many dangers, and ie about to undergo, in all probability such severe trials, from which however, we doubt not that by the Divine blessing she will come forth at length purified and strengthened.

" In conclusion, we pray the Giver of all Good tint Hβ may endue you with such abundant gifts of his Grace, and grunt you such a measure of health and strength that you may be enabled to preside over your new diocese, and perform all other duties that may appertr.io to your office and position, to ihe glory of His Holy Name and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. ? " Wβ are, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and affectionate servants." The report was adopted aad ordered to he engrossed aad eigtieS by the Bishop and the Secretaries. CLASSIFICATION OP PABISITE3. Dr Donald brought op the following report:— -

The committee appointed to draw up a classilication of parishes for the eighteen months ending 31st March, 1870, report as fallows:— Ist. They recommend that as heretofore the annual sum of £50 bo allotted to each incumbent of the following parishes, ministering within the original Canterbury Block : St. Michaels, Chrutehuroh, St. John the Baptist's, Christehurch, St. Luke's, Chmtehurch* Lyttelton, Hesthcote, Papanui, K-iiapoi, B.ingiora, Governor B.iy, *karoa, Hiciorton and Hahewell, Avonside, Prebbleton and Templeton ; and in the parochial districts of Leithfield, Oxford, Ellesmere, and of one other district not yet decided upon; also to the Chaplain of the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum. That in addition to the above an annual sum of £15 be allotted to the incumbents of Akaroa, Kangiora, and Papauui, in consideration that they are unprovided with a parsonage house, and that their wholo time is occupied in the work of tho ministry. That this fund (i.e. the Assisted Parishes Fund) be divided equally among the incumbents of the parishes of Akaroa, Prebbleton with Templeton, Rangiora, Timaru, Geraldiue, Governor Bay, and the parochial district of Leithfield. That collections and offertoriee for this Fund be taken in each half-year, on a Sunday to be decided upon by the incumbent and churchwardens, and that the proceeds be forwarded forthwith to t'-e Diocesan Treasurer. That in case of any parish or parochial district failing to remit previously to the last day of the half-year— namely, 31st March and 30th September—it will receive no further benefit from this fund until otherwise ordered by the Synod. The committee have considered that the amount receivable from this fund should in each case be at least £-iO, but as at present informed, they fail to see their war to hope

for more than half that sum. To stimulate more .liberal contributions they roconiraend that a printed circular be distributed to all parieh officers, explaining the urgent need of maintaining this fund, and soliciting a general co-operation throughout the diocese for that purpose. That for the guidance of tha Synod in future sessions, and to make the members more thoroughly to understand the real condition of each parish and district, its ability or inability to assist other parishes and districts, or its need of assistance, the incumbent and churchwardens be requested to return, so far a3 may be possible, an accurate statement of the church members resident in their respective parishes and districts. H. J. C. CHKISTCHtraCH. The report was laid on the table. CATHEDBAIi ACCOUNTS. Mr Kennaway moved — That a3 the building of the Cathedral may be considered indefinitely postponed, the Cathedral Commission be requested to take measures to close the accounts of the Building Fund as equitably to the subscribers as lays in their power. That the disposal of the site by lease or otherwise, should be taken into consideration of the Commission. The report of the Commission which had been laid on the table showed that nothing had been done for Borne time, and nothing was likely to be done. When the Cathedral scheme was started they were enjeying a prosperity which was essentially false, and was not likely to return again. He did not blame those who had commenced the undertaking, but on looking over the accounts ho did not see any probability of the work being continued. Out of the £15,032 promised in the place, £7.328 had be«n epent, leaving £7,604 still unpaid, and the time during which it was to be paid had almot expired. His resolution was to close the the subscription I'ist, and if poeeible, distribute the expenses equally over all the subscribers. It wae unfair that while some considered themselves bound by their promise, the majority had released themselves. Aβ to the future, he thought there were other interests more important to churchmen which were being sacrificed as long as it was always before their mind that the cathedral would be begun as soon as commerce revived. Should prosperity return, lie thought it would be very injudicious to go on with the work. He could not cay anything about the site, but had put the motion for the sake of information. Mr Gordon seconded the resolution.

: Bey C. Bowen moved— 1. That in the opinion of this Synod it is undesirable to undertake the erection of more permanent Churches in Christ- : church, until the Cathedral has been so far advanced as .to be available, for the purposes of public worship. 2. That it is advisable to take immediate steps for proceeding with the building of the Cathedral by degrees according as funds may permit. 3. That with this view a Fund be opened to be called the " Cathedral Fund," and that efforts be made to collect contributions yearly from every adult member of the Church of England in the Diocese. 4. That until the lime shall arrive when an additional church is needed on the site of S. Michael's, the Cathedral bo available for" the purposes of a Parish Church. Ho looked upon Mr Kennaway's motion as a direct challenge to the Synod. Hβ agreed with Mr Kennaway that they should come to J seme understanding. It was highly undesirable to go on as at present, but hie motion went a great deal further. He would not only stop the building of the cathedral, but also dispose of the site; and so it had come to this—that it was proposed to alienate the site for secular purposes, giving it over probably to butchers' shops, hucksters , stalls, and it might be even a gin-palace. Hβ was perfectly aware that there wa3 a plan on foot for the re-building of Bt. Michael's, and he heartily sympathised with the movement. No one could have a greater affection for the site of that church than he had, for he had worshipped on or near the site when there was only a V hut. At the same time he could not help thinlting that we were acting on the principle of drifting in Church building. He could notlielp saying that the erection of St. John's was the first great obstacle to the building tho Cathedral, for hud it nofc been built the Cathedral, he thought, would have been partly built, and if we ro-build St. Michael's the Catheclral'muet be given up for tbis generation at least, if not for ever. In that case St. Michael's would virtually be the Cathedral. Let us not go and waste all that has been spent already. Let us go on and strive to complete a building which would be for the use not enly of the parish of St. Michael's but for the whole diocese.

Dr. Donald eng-gested that Mr Bowen should postpone his resolutions, and allow him to move the previous queation. Mrßoweu consented.

Dr. Donald said he was extremely eorry to discover that a portion of the community was co easily moved by a little temporary disaster. Nearly every cathedral which had ever been built, with the esception of Sfc Paul's, had taken generations to build. Sydney cathedral had only recently been finished, although begun years ago. He tru6tod lie" woald never see the*idea nbandoned. If a row of stones were added year by year, to show that it was going on it would be something. He begged to move tho previous question. Tho Eev. W. W. Willoek seconded Dr. Donald's amendment, lie looked upon the proposal of abandoning the Ctthcclralas almo?t mistrusting God's power to warm b> ■n e « , le of his people in such a cause. He would teel very much inclined to abandon the country altogether if he'thought the Cathedral would be abandoned. The Terr Eer. the Dean, thought a middle course might be pursued. Let the present subscrmtion list be closed and a new one opened , : Even-thing points to thocone.UMon that tho original effort ehould be given up. He hoped the time wae not very distant when the cathedral would be again begun. Jattho present suspense and uncorfainfy should be p,,t an end to, Bβ it stood "io the *aj of other necessary works. When the tune, ceme for stepe being Ukw.fcr the Vittacl's Iβ thought"the pkw »WM. W to

havo a public meeting and got a committee •if ™«rrlv from the general public nnd Th"from St Michael* and make that chn'-rh tho temporary cathedral till the cuthodrnl it«elf wae finished. Mr D'i T ' : ° coulJ not sco Recounts conl.l bo closed as proposed, till all Isad pai-J, as nil had not paid the same.proportion. Mr Hamilton agreed with Dγ Donald and ?Tr Divio as to the necessity of keeping tho work constantly before tho uiin:l of tho public. lie iooked forward to a revival of prosperity at nn eariy d.ite-a prosperity which was solid nnd lasting as founded ou tho results of real colonising work—a work considerably forgotten of Ht9 by many. In such times people are always willing and glad to subscribe to such an object. If Mr Kennaway's resolution was passed it would have tho effect of disheartening tho subscribers, aud those who had committed themselves to tho undertaking. Mr Grigg opposed tho motion of Mr Kennaway. It was not the place of tho Synod to take action but that of people outside. If the request came from the subscribers it would be a different thing. The Roy. Canon Cotterill as a subscriber strongly objected to tho proposal. It would have the effect of putting off the building for an indefinite period. Mr Kennaway replied. The Bishop, before putting the question, wished to say a few words. He had never been very forward in urging the commencoment of the cathedral, but now the undertaking had been commenced he hoped it would be completed. The previous question was then put and carried. The Roy. C. Bowen said that when he put his resolutions on the notice paper he was under tho impression that they would receive considerable support. He bagged leave to withdraw the first and fourth resolutions.

The question for leave to withdraw was then put and carried. The first and fourth parts of the resolutions were then withdrawn.

The Rer. C. Bowen said he would move the first part of hie resolution in tins shape — "That it ie advisable the building of the cathedral should be proceeded with by degrees according aa funda may permit." It was not by spasmodic efforts that the cathedrals of old were built, but by continued effort. Misapprehension seemed to exist as to the nature of the work ; and erroneous ideas were entertained as to its magnitude. People were frightened by the name of " cathedral." He had consulted professional gentlemen on the subject, who estimated that a nave and two aislea—which was nil that was required for the present—might be properly completed for £10,000. The work, he thought, could be done in throe years, which would require an expenditure of £3000 odd a year. This Bum they ought to be able to raise. He did not agree with Mr Kennaway's remarks as to the resources of church members being overtaxed; there was not the slightest danger of such a result. It was all very well to say that mission work was of more importance than the building of cathedrals ; but the two works should go on together, and they should exercise self-denial in order to build the cathedral. The Rev Canon Dudley seconded the motion. Mr W; S. Hamilton suggested the introduction of the word" still" before " advisable," and the motion was so amended. The Dean of Chrietchurch wished Mr Bowen would withdraw his resolution, as it would hamper the action of the cathedral commission. To build the church by degrees would be both slow and expensive, as it would be necessary to keep up a largo staff. The Rev W. W. Willock moved as an amendment—" That this Synod has received the report of the Cathedral Commission with much sorrow, but trusts that it will make every reasonable effort to resume the work on j which it is engaged as Boon as possible."

The Bey. 0. Boweh would accept the amendment, and ask leave to withdraw the first and third parts of bis resolution. Leave was granted, and the amendment was put and carried. EEADJTTSXMEKT OF THE BOtrHDABXES OF THE DIOCEi3E. On the motion of the Bey. J. C. Bagshaiv, the Synod went into committee to consider the following resolutions :— 1. That in the opinion of this Synod, a readjustment of the boundaries of' the dioceses of Nelson and Christohurch is desirable. 2. That in the opinion of this Synod, the Diocese of Nelson may with, advantage embrace the whole of the County of Westland; and the Dioceao of Christchurch be extended to include that portion of the Province of Canterbury at present included in the Diocese of Nelson, and also, that portion of the Province of Nelson south of the River Clarence, and extending to the Eiver Huruntii. 3. That the General Synod be requested to take this matter into consideration, and to deal with it if competent to do so.

The first and third resolutions wore passed as printed ; but a good deal of discussion took place as to what change of boundaries should be recommended; and the second, resolution was amended by the words " Watershed of the Southern .Kaikouras" being substituted for " Eiver Clarence." The Synod then resumed, and the resolutions were adopted. DIOCESAN COFETS AND C0T7813 OF APPEAL. The Dean of Christchurch moved— Thut Siatutes 9 and 10 of the General Synod, for establishing Diocesan Courts, and Courts of Appeal, and for defining Ecclesiastical Offences, and the punishments thereof, be accepted by this Synod, and declared to be in force in this dioceee.

These statutes had their origin in this dioceee, as the "Rev. Mr Alabaster, one of its rep-esentatives in tho General Synod, drafted them, and laid them before the Synod at its first session held in Wellington. They were not adopted that session, but during the interval that elapsed before the next session took place, they were eubmitted to the best legal authorities in the colony and to some of tho highest lawyers in England. When they came before the meeting of the Synod held at Clnistchurch in 1865, the representatives of this diooese were strongly averse to statutes of this kind being forced upon them by their being adopted by the General Synod so as to make them binding upon the diocese ; but it must be remembered that at tho time the decision of the Privy Council in the case of Long v the Bishop of Capetown had been given, but not the decision in the case of the Bishop of Natal. These representations induced the General Synod to provide that the statutes should not come into operation in one dioceee fill they had been adopted by the Diocesan Synod; and the representatives of this diocese then withdrow their opposition, and did their utmost to get the statutes passed in the best possible form.

Dr Donald remarked tint the representatives of the diocese of Christchurch ceased aosiv& opposition, but he for one eaid at tho time that the more ho looked at the statutes the less he liked them.

The Dean of Cbristchurch wished to urgo that the statutes had received very careful consideration on ths part of the representstires of this di'ooes?, and that in the woy of opposition. The advisability'of adopting the statutes vfas discussed in the Diocesan Synod of Clmetchureh in tho i-cseion of 1865, and he with a few others strongly supported their adoption, but they found themselves to be a minority. The chief argument* used by the majority were that the matter was not ripe for settlement,and that tho mother church might ei?e its way to resuming oootrol over the colonial churches. It was now, however, clear that the Imperial Parliament did not intend to legislate in tho matter, and that the supremacy of the Q.neen was the supremacy of the law; that the : State in England bad nothing whatever to do with U3 ; and that we were not bound by tin-, ecclesiastical law o£ England. It was evident that if tho church in the ?l2 ms to haxe M y kw at all, it must eetabhsE the law itself. It wae a cause for

thankfulness that no occasion had j et __;, for tho exorciite of church discipline, but it w ?, clear that euch un mj.ht ari ,, ,! some utterly false accusation being '„,„!, against a clergyman or lay officer of' '»h\ church. Tho officer to charged would haw to bo triod, and ho would certainly prefer to bo tried by fixed rules rather tlmn'bv rules made for tho occasion by The very reverend Rontloinnn then sviul aß ' extract from tho judgment of tho Privy Counoil, in order to eliow tliat tho decision* of a colonial ecclesiastical tribVutil would lc-nHy *t:ind iv tho same position as those of arbitrators' Were the riiloe for tho examination of nit-' nesses, &c, loft to bo made when they wera wanted, thoy would very likely havo to bo made by the assessors in a timo of great nublio ferment, when the impartiality of tho assessors might bo impugned. A committee of the Lambeth Conference had recommended that a Board of Reference should bo established in England, to which qxieations from the colonies might bo referred ; nnd if this proposal were carried into effect, it would crown any ecclesiastical system adopted by tho colony and mako it complete. Tho question they had to decide was, whether they would havo law or no law ?

The Roy W. W. Willock seconded the rcaolution. As they were cast adrift from England in these matters, they muat do tho best tlioy could for themselves, and ho did not see how they could do better than adopt tho statutes of tho General Synod. Dγ Donald said if tho clergy ahoeo to bind themselves in fetters, ho had no objection, but he called upon every layman to read tho bills before he voted for them. Tho establishment of such a court aa that suggested would be nn encouragement to tho making of false necufiv tions. The Ecclesiastical Offences Bill con- ■ atituted offences which would put the reputation of a trustee or churchwarden in tho hatitls cf any one who liked to be malicious. Aα offence which deserved merely a private monition from the Bishop, wns trmdo an act to bo punished by a formidable tribunal; Mr Grigg would support tho viow of the last speaker so far as to ask tho Synod to mad the bills beforo it consented to them. Quito an entirely new principle was introduced into tho Court of Appeal, in making it necessary tliat the bench of bishops should bo

unanimous in its decision. Such a principle was unknown in Courts of Appeal, and was most objectionable, aa it guvo ono bishop tho power of sending jbaek v person to his parish who had been pronounced guilty by «,11 tho inferior tribunals. He would move, ns an amendment—"That in tho opinion of this Synod, it ie not desirable to accept statutes 0 and 10 of the General Synod for establishing Diocesan Courts and Courts of Appeal, and for defining ecclesiastical offences, until the aforesaid statutes have been considered by tho General Synod." The Bey Mr Lingard would second tho amendment, because, although he would rather be tried by a regular ecclesiastical tribunal than by assessors, yet ho considered conic of the provisions of the Ecclesiastical Offoncoa Bill to bo too harsh. The Roy J. C. Bagshaw would voto againat the resolution, but unwillingly, not because ho was opposed to the establishment of an ecolo-

siastical tribunal, but present action in tlio' matter would be premature. Ho also objected to 6ome of the provisions of the bills. The Roy. Mr Cholmondeley would vote for the amendment. However dusiruble it might be to establish proper discipline, there wo'ro strong objections to these statutes ne they stood.

Mr W. 8. Hamilton thought Dr Donald's objection was of gr«at weight. Ho could not vote for tho resolution, as the bill was of great length, and he had not had time to properly examine it. A statute of this kind should bo as carefully considered by tho Synod aa ono of their Btututes. At the same time ho felt the necessity of occlesiostical organisation. The best plan would bo to postpone tho discussion to another session.

Mr Davie thought the Synod had forgotten that the basis of the Church in the colony was a voluntary one; and although a Church tribunal might not be able to compel persona to attend as witnesses, yet every Church member would no doubt feel himself bound to attend if called upon to do so. At the same time, if they waitod until the Church had power to impose oaths and compel persons to attend as witnesses, it would have to wait a longtime. Aβ, however, tho matter won ono of great importance, a hasty decision ought not to be come to, and it would bo the best way to adjourn the further consideration of tho matter. j The Dean of Christchurch: ropliod to tho various arguments that had been used against the resolution, and said he would loavo it in the hands of the Synod. Hie Lordship the Bishop explained that his object in bringing this subject under the attention of the Synod was in order to relieve himself of the responsibility which now rested upon him of deciding oharges preferred against members of the Church without having any fixed rules to go by. A division was taken on tho question— 'fThat .tho--words proposed to.be left out stand part of the question," with tbo follomog result—Clergy, ayes, 6 ; noes, 5. Laity, ayee, 5 ; noes, 10.

The amendment, having been altered at tho suggestion of Dr Donald, was then passed in tho following form—" That, in the opinion of thia Synod it is not desirable at present to accept stututes 9 and 10 of tho General Synod, for establishing Diocesan Courts and Courts of Appeal and for defining ecclesiastical offences." ' ASSESSORS. , The Dean of Chrietehurch, Boy Canon Dudley, liev. Canon Wileon, Hon. J. B. Acland, Meesra C. C. Bowen, and W. Donald were elected assessors. ' ; AXTEBATION OF THE FOEKTJXABIBS. The Rev. J. C. Bagshaw moved— Whereas, by tho Church Constitution it is : declared that the branch of tho United Church of England and Ireland in New Zealand holds and maintains, '" the Book of Common Prayer, nnd the Form and manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating Bishops, Pricale, and Deacons, as the said United Church of England and Ireland hath received the same: And tho General Synod has by the same Constitution power to acaept nny alterations of the Formularies of the Church which may have been adopted by tho said United Church with the consent of the Crown and Convocation : And whereas by tho Clerical " Subscription Act, 1865," certain alterations hsve been made in the manner and making of subscriptions, and declaration;, and taking the oaths at Ordination by Candidates for Holy Ordere, and by Clergymen licensed and) admitted to Cures in England in the said United Church: And whereas euch alterations have been assented to by Convocation s

Resolved—That thie Synod memorializes the General Synod to take the necessary etepe , for securing uniformity of usage in thiia respect between this Branch of the' Church and the TJnitad Cbjirch of England end Ireland. Dr Donald seconded the motion, which was carried. EXPENSES OF MEMBEIIS. On tho motion of Mr Grrigg, it was resolved-— That in the opinion of this Synod some pr»* vision should be made for the expenses of members of the General Synod. Tho Synod' then adjourned at 10,45 p.m»

Friday, September 18. The Synod met at 4 30 p.m., tho Lord Bishop of the Diocase presiding. The mimtes of the last sitting were reads and confirmed. riXAVCIAI, BEGULATIONS. The Rev Canon Cotterill moved —That tho Resolutions on the Financial Bt'gu* latious should bo adopted by tho-SyaiM»

ii,miifci.i-ii. . that after much discussion the &f?Z, *ere left - by the Synod in much 1* T«'ißpo ns that in which he iiad & ?ft], e V forward. He wished ta divide two portions—the first seven clauses il* 3, «■ ones **?«£ Canon Cotterill move I—That the t-t Orders Nos. 14 and 2S should be . ded in or s eT t0 iaei]itate business. wa? carried. *T 5gT, Canon Cotteriil obtained leava to - a (ho considerations of the resolutions Fsfkir period of the evening. Eev. J. C. : Cholmondley"'"moved the Wioa standing in his name. He thought frfie fnbiect was of great importance and u " ld not ! ° Dger 8 dela^ed ' He * ih<> Standing Committee be instructed with the Church Property ♦jjjjtees on tbo qaeetion of tho repairs of tbeparsonage houses of the Diocese, a Tie* to { he formation of a fihtio Fund, as indicated by the Standing Committee in their report of 1864. _, gg T# Q. Bowen seconded the resolution. tff-Qof3on tHought that tho expeaees of repairs shoald be defrayed by the it stands. Ber. J- C. Bagehaw thought that the eliould be inspected from time to Cwtfiattlie parsonages being diocesan jfr ertT should be kept in repair from a fund r? prided, and that the work should not ukStol£eP aiishee - . , Hie resolution was earned.

! CXXE2EBY BBGULATION3. s j -fe absence of the Rev. J. 08. Hoare, I / Bowen moved the annexed re- ] j ojjg standing in the name of the former flgHba Synod go into Committee, with a T j e e of amending the Cemetery Reguj jjiion 50. 3, by the addition of the I TfQHJj, "In outlying scattered districts, I tfceAffiO UD ' ; of the surplice and sexton's I feajbe left to the discretion of curate ! gujtrardens of each district." ] yjg fay Eβv. the Dean of Christchurch I motion. I jjj motion was agreed to, and the Synod mi into committee, the Very Rev. the Dean > rfftristchurch in the chair. J Ihe Bey, J. OB- Hoare, who had in the i tsistfj entered the Syned, gave his reasons 1 jf'istrodaciag the subject. ;! Jfr C. B. Blakieton moved aa an amendj Bfflt:— , 1 2SstaHtie words after "districts" should be omitted, for the insertion of the following:—That in the outlying districts ' the fees for burials may be increased by i the Standing Commission on the represehtatioDS of the curatea and war- i

\ dens of such districts. ' CEJTETEBIES. ! Ca &9 motion of Mr E. J. March, seconded I jftjjj get. S. A. Lingard, the alterations in I regulations of Church of Eng--1 jsi&meteriesTrere adopted by the Synod. 1 BBECTIOff OP CHTTBCHBB. March proposed the resolution standing skßMnie-— ___ Hat "in the opinion of this Synod, an application should be made to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for a grant in aid of the erection of chinches. Hi {bought that church accommodation was tst ffioea needed in the diocese, and that b& iMommodation could not be supplied inflast external aid. The society had already EJ&iage grsnt3 to other colonial churches, EJirt hoped that the earn©, liberality would be txteaclad to Canterbury. Other denominated had made great efforts to procure addii tks3al chjarcb. accommodation, and we of the j Ssoreh of Englaad ought to do the same. § that he had .when last in l&lgUnd intended to apply for aid to the been informed that their ifjuufo nets it such a low ebb, that there was ffapwipeeS of any help being afforded. Hβ flsly applied in one inatan'o, and had received I iraoaL Hβ reason he did so was, because 1k M learned that the society had since 1 swred a very large legacy. He did notj I kimer, like to hold out too a favorable hope ;s aid. I Tv Tery Eev the Dean seconded the resoI 31* Eβ? Canon Wilson thought all church sfeaioa should be the result of individual (jiffiiflii!, and not of external assistance. l^'ithe,exception of the city itself, he did i, - «S f« that such a want of accommodation ,|aasd as had beep implied. $ Hsßej J. 08. Hoare endorsed the views %£&i Be? Canon Wilson. He thought Uiat not justified in applying to the society Ijptid. g After some farther discussion, on the motion ©thsße?!!, A. Lingard, the orders of the jpv sm proceeded with.

3s CLASSIFICATION OF PARISHES. \Oa the motion of Dr. Donald, regulations yKafcd on the report on classification of j Jpsahs were read a first time, and afterwards • 'fflstoed in committee. Some amendments *sna sssde, and they were reported to the \\f»jdia the following shape:— ?i 1- Ihat£sO .be allotted from the Bevennea l| ol the Church. Property Trust annually j3 to each of the following cures : St. || Michael's, St. John the Baptist's, St. J Lake's, Lyttolton, Heathcote, Papanui, *r| Saiapoi, Eangiora, Governor's Bay, i Aiaroa, Eiccarton -with Hnlswell, Aronside, Prebbleton with Teoipleton >1 Parishes; and of Leithfield, Oxford, 1 Slkamere, and one other not yet defined 3 Parochial district, and to the Chaplain 4j of the lunatic Asylum, with or without ■J the Gaol or Hospital. That a further : f euu) of £25 be allowed to the Chaplain * of ihe Lyttelton Gaol, until a perma- .| ÜBt chaplain of the above*named insti"l ,-k iut ' oaß c appointed. aa annual sum of £16 be allotted x /y to thosecures which have no paisonoge buses, provided the incumbents of *ach curee are wholly occupied in the * *«k of the ministry. . IS. That the snms received for the Assisted i Parishes Fund be divided equally J uaong the Incumbents of the Parishes •$. ef Abioaj Prehbleton with Templeton, m Saagiora, Trmaru, Geraldine, Go- | y«aor"e Bay, and of the Parochial M oatrict of Leithfield. 3 4-33*6 tJie cnrates and church officers N; fiwughout that part of the Diocese joeluded Tritbin the province '/of. *. Guitefbury be called upon to cause m cSertoriee and collections to be raised I »aid of the Assisted Parishes Fund,

£ oa cue Sunday at least in each half I {f/' ie financial year ; the proceeds to I wfottfrsUh remitted to theDiocesean fieasarer. I *> Batit be an instruction to the Standiug j< Committee at the elosa of each half i I**** ■*«, March 31, and September *| to withhold any further payment || &«n this fund to parishes and districts II 3*™'*Te fcUedto remit their.-conferi-I guidance of the Synod in : I «Uire Eewions, and to enable tfc c mem- | «n more thoroughly to understand I jae real conditions of each parish and 6 ~f Sric Vit» ability or inability to assist 1 «t»r parishes and districts, or its need 2 « assistance, the Incumbents and 4 be requested to make, j wjerastnay be possible, an accurate '$ Sof *• Church Members resident! % t^ a KspactiTe Parishes and Diei speoifying their names and the j ; 'J 0 ,ISASCUI ' SEGDIATIOIfS. I** £ m ° a6Ji rf ih * »•▼. Canon Cotterill, ; « *stbd »• Weat mU> committee to reconsider I ° n regulations, which -I ft w^ 5 T 6,1 '"'der discussion. I *%«K: Ted *** DfDonald'e resolutions 1 <&S| *• daseification of parishes and I 1 &Ke from October

th?£ o 2 i mofaon of the *»»• J» 08. Hoare, ses^L C i! ÜBe9 rdatin ? to « necessary expen, o *t BtanchD & Wlhe notice paper, were etruck d-S c ° ther ' esol u«ons were then reconsi(seefiU"? Dr D °"ald' 8 reaolutiona incorn'n ) ,f n?bOd , ,ed^ ith them ' and « he whol: ' TmT m the Finan Regulations of nS O ? d J *° motion That the Standing Committee bo empowered to revise, re-arrange, and maie verbal alterations in the foregoing combination ?Li inanc,al with those of 1866, provided that no alteration in principle be made. EDUCATION OF CLEBGYMEN's 60X3. reerired-l" 101100 ° f Mr C- X Blakl3ton ifc was That the Standing Committee be requested to ascertain previously to the next session of the Sjnod what further provision can bo made for the education of the sons of the clergy, and to take whatever steps for that purpoee they consider desirable.

CLEBGY PENSION FUND. The Eav. F. Knowles moved— That the scale of Superannuation and otlior allowances from the Clergy Pension Fund, adopted by the Diocesan Synod of 1866, shall be in forie uutil 31 March, 1871. The resolution was carried, and the standing committtee were also instructed to report on the condition and prospects of the fund, with a view to a revision of the above scale, to the Synod of 1871. On the motion of the Rev. Mr Cotterill the following resolutions were read a first time, committed, and reported :—- That the following words be added in Clause 3 of the. Resolutions on "Diocesan Clerical Pension Fund"—after the words " into the same fund," insert "provided that £2 be the minimum amount payable annually." Also in Clause 7 for " 1868" read " 1871." j Also in general clause 1 for " 1868," read •• 1871." The resolutions were then adoptod. DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE. The Bey. Canon Cotterill moved— That in the event of the eoualitution of the Diocese ofDunediu and of its Diocesan Synod,the electoral Districts of Dunedin Wailiouaiti, Jlolyneux and Southland be removedfrom Schedule B of statute No. 2. ; Provided that any members from those : electoral districts appointed to serve as officers of the Diocese of Christchurch continue to hold office until the next annual session. : The Rev J. C. Bagshaw pointed out that the resolutions were unnecessary, and after a short discussion they were withdrawn. CATHEDBAI. COMMISSION. Mr J. W. Hamilton moved — That the Synod do proceed to the election of two members of the Cathedral Commission in lieu of those who retire for the year. This was agreed to; and the Rev Canon Wilson and R. J. S. Harman, the outgoing members, were re-elected. Mr W. J. Hamilton drew attention to the fact that it was necessary for his Lordship to convene a meeting of the subscribers, in order that they might elect two trustees, in place of the two of the number elected by the subscribers who retire by rotation.

CEETIFIED LIST OP CLERGYMEN. The Dean of Christchurcli moved— That whereas it is provided in clause 2, of statute H, of the General Synod, for organising the General Synod, that every clergyman, whose name eh all have been certified in a list to be kept for that purpose by the Synod of the Diocese in which he resides, ehall be ; entitled to vote at the election of Clerical Representatives for that Diocese : the Bishop be requested to issue such a certified list before the Synod separates.

His Lordship read out a list, observing that Archdeacon Harper and the Rev. Mr Beau- j mont names .ware- excluded,- as they were not j resident in the diocese. . The list was then checked. j BESOLTJTIOJTS ; FOB THB GtENEBAIi STNOD. j The Dean of Christchurch moved — i That the secretaries be requested to supply the Bishop and the Clerical and Lay Representatives of this Diocese in the General Synod, with copies of the resolutions adopted by this Synod at its present session, having reference to questions to be brought "before the General Synod. Agreed to. EXCESSES OE MEMBERS OF GEKEBAIi STIfOD. MrGrigg moved — That in accordance with the resolution of the Synod, relative to making provision for the expenses of members of the General Synod, it is resolved that the sum of £50 be appropriated to that purpose; and that the standing committee be empowered to make an equitable assessment of the several parishes and cures of the diocese, and to make an application forthwith for payment of the same. At the suggestion of the Bey J. 08. Hoare, the resolution was altered to the following form, and then passed— Ihat the Standing Committee be instructed to endeavor to provide for the expenses of the representatives of the diocese in the General Synod; and that in future a small yearly subscription for that purpose be asked from each parish. LOCAL CONTBIBITTIONS EBOM TIKABTT, The Rev Canon Cotterill moved— That the Synod having been informed by the Standing Committee that the churchwardens and vestry of Timaru are anxious no longer to pay their clergymen through the Diocesan Treasurer, but to have the direct application of all local contributions, on the understanding that accounts of receipts and expenditure be sent to the Standing Committee, are of opinion that such an arrangement would be inconsistent with the regulations of Synod. This waa agreed to.

TOXES OF THANKS. On the motion of Dr Donald, it was re> solved—" That this Synod desires to express the gratification it has felt in noticing the munificent contribution made to the Orphan Asylum by the workmen of the Lyttelton and ehristchurch Hallway, and the Secretaries are requested to send a letter of thanks to the donors." Totes of thanks were passed to the goTernors of Christ's College, for the proTision made by them during the past year towards the education of the sons of the clergy; to the Master and brethren of the St. Augustine Lod<»e of Freemasons for the use of the hall; to The Secretaries of the Synod; to the Proprietor of the "Press" for printing the notice papers at a nominal price ; and to tne reporters of -the- M Lyttelton Times and •• Press." ~. T , This concluded the business, and hie ..Lordship having pronounced the benediction, tne Synod at 12.15 a.m. adjourned sine die.