DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10865, 15 January 1901, Page 2

DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE.

At the meeting of the Diocesan Standing Committee on Tuesday, it was resolved, on the motion of Archdeacon Cnolmondeley, "That the Committee had heard with sincere regret of the resignation by the JRev. Henry Thomas Purchas, M.A., of the Cure of Papanui, in consequence of failing health. It desired to place on record its appreciation of the earnestness and faithfulness of his past work, and to express its sympathy with him, and its hop. that he might be speedily restored to health."

The Bishop stated his desire to make immediate provision for the charge of the Beaconsfield and Kingsdown district, of which the R-ev. L. C. Brady desired to be relieved. Archdeacon Harper had offered to undertake, with the help of the Rev. J. M. Adcoek, his curate, the cara of the district for six months, if the necessary expenses could be met. The Bishop hoped to place the district, after that, under the cave of another clergyman, already prepared to take it. It was resolved that for six months from the Ist of January a Church Mission Fund grant, at the rate of £50 per annum, be made, as provision for the charge of the district. Reports from the Sub-Committees for Church Missions and for Education were heard and received. Mr Richard Hill Fisher was elected a Church Property Trustee, in the place of Mr SI Weetman, resigned. Mr George Harris was elected lay representative in the General Synod of the northern district of the Diocese, "in place of Judge Batham, resigned. Report was made of the steps taken to secure the due representation of the Church in the Jubilee procession, and the cordial thanks of tlie Committee were voted to the Sub-Committee (Mr Hargreaves and Mr Andrews) for the excellent arrangements made for this and for the gathering of choirs and of children in Cathedral Square; and to the Rev. H. E. Ensor who acted as marshal of/ the choirs and Sunday Schools. Amended plans for a schoolroom at Methven were approved, and correspondence from the Rev. L. C. Brady was read and discussed.