ARCHDEACON JULIUS' ELECTION.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7526, 16 April 1890, Page 5

ARCHDEACON JULIUS' ELECTION.

The Very Rev. the Dean telegraphed yesterday to the Bishop of Wellington asking for an explanation of the doubts a& to the validity of the proceedings of the Christchurch Diocesan Synod with regard to the election ot Archdeacon Julius, in his reply Bishop Hadfleld referred the Dean to clause 23 of the Church Constitution, a note to which states that the Diocesan Synod may be ... " presided -over- by the Commissary of the Bishop, specially authorised to do so in the absence by death or resignation ot the Bishop. '. . ."The Dean's view is therefore that Bishop Harper's resignation not having taken effect at the time of the meeting of the special Synod, the Bishop of Wellington objects to any action of such Synod, presided over by the Commissary, The General Synod will probably be asked to confirm the action of the Diocesan Syaod. It is pointed out that the legislation of the late Session of the General Synod, held in Dunedin, was in the direction of enabling a successor being appointed to a Bishop who had signified his intention to resign, and. this had reference to the action to be taken by the Bishop's Commissary. The steps taken by the Special Session' of the Diocesan Synod when the election of Archdeacon Julius took place, were the result of careful consideration, and it is therefore anticipated that no serious difficulty can arise out of the action of the Synod. If it is held that there has been an irregularity, a short resolution or declaratory Canon could be passed by the General Synod, which would rectify matters.