ANNUAL SESSION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11104, 24 October 1901, Page 3

ANNUAL SESSION.

The annual session of the Diocesan Synn was continued yesterday afternoon, his Lon ship the Bishop taking his seat at 4 p.m. j SDXDtAY SCHOOLS. The annual report of the Diocesan Inspei j tor of Schools was presented by the Re jA. C. Hoggins. The report stared that tli [ number of Sunday schools in the diocese w«i 1120, the same as last year. Seven school ' had been removed from the* list, but seve ' new* schools had been added. The da were of the same number as th previous year. There were 6884 scholars i the. schools inspected, to which was adde 920, the estimated number in the 19 school not visited, making an approximate total c 7804, as against 7750 the previous year. Th total number of teachers in the schools in spected was 669—124 males and 5-45 females The estimated number of teachers in tl> schools not inspected was BV—lB males an' 69 females. The total number ot teacher for the year was thus Too, being 47 less tha' the total for the previous year, but the pro portion of xnale teachers to female wa higher. During the year the Inspector h;u carried out the first instalment oi his plan lor the training of resellers. It was decided to have the report printed MISCELIxAXEOUS. It was agreed to a*k Messrs Standish am Preece to photograph the Synod at the Col lege library at a quarter k, four on Frida> alternoon. By consent of the Synod Archdeacon Choi rnondeley moved without notice—"That f;h< thanks of the Synod be given to his Lordihi] the President lor his synodical address ii tha Cathedral, and that he be asked to alloy it to be printed." This was seconded anc carried. On the motion of the Rev. A. W A refill it was decided to send fraternal gmtings to the Dunedin Diocesan Synod. LATE QiIJSEN. Archdeacon Harper was granted leave tc move the following resolution wit"tout notice:—"That this Synod of the j'.jjibiop, clergy, and laity of the Diocese of Crx-itt-church, now in session in the city of- Ciiristciiurcli, New Zealand, expresses its profound grief for the loss of our beloved ana revered Queen Victoria, and its sympathy with the members of the Royal family. Th© Synod renders hearty thanks to Almighty God for this servant of His, departed this life in His faith and.fear; for sucii an example of nobl< womanhood ; for such wise and ever vigilant devotion to the world-wide trust committed to her care as Queen and' Empress; for hei loving sympathy with her people whether ir suffering or in joy; for her splendid example of Christian life." This Synod desires, to repress its loyal and affectionate, allegiance to Tier son, our Sovereign Lord King Edward, md prays that be may have strength and ;race for the great work committed to his Sands, and that the blessing of .Umighty iod may be with him, and a_ has people, in :he years to come." The resolution was seconded by Mr W. H. Bargreaves, and the Synod carried it unaninousdy. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS. Pursuant to notice, Mr H, D. Andrews noved for leave to introduce a Bill to amend line Cathedral Statute, 1894. Leave was granted, and the Bill was read a first time. L'he second reading of the Bill was fixed for o-day. Mr S. S. Blackburne also moved for leave 0 introduce a Bill to enact regulations for -ecunng the better registration of Church nembers and the more accurate compilation >f electoral rolls. This Bill also was inrroiuced and read a first time, and its second ■eading was also fixed for to-day. CHURCH PROPERTY. llr W. G. Brittan moved—"That the oonlent of Synod be given, under section 25 of the Church Property Trust (Canterbury) *vet, 1879, to the sale or lease of part of rural ection 79, comprised in conveyance dated tb July, 1859, rrom E. J. Wakefield to the Jishop of Christchurch, beipg a local enowment in th>& parish of St. Michael and HI Angels, Christchurch." The Synod ranted tha consent applied for. On Archdeacon Harper's motion, Messrs tiles Jefferson Knubfcv, Melvjlle Gray;.and •amuel Frederick Simtltedn.were appointed s local trustees of the 20 cres, part of rural section 2335, in the place 1 the only surviving trustee, Mr Le Cren, rho 1 wished to be relieved of the trust. ■- TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS. The Rev. H. H. Mathias moved--"That it i desirable, in the opinion of Synod, that aera should be more ume for the transaction t business in tbe first week of Synod; that ie matter be referred to the Standing Comuttee for consideration." The resolution 'as carried. EACHING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH. The Rev. F. Dunnage moved—"That in. lew of the importance of the teaching office I the Churoh, this Synod is strongly of the pinion' that training in the soience and prac-i cc of education should form ah essential art of the preparation of the clergy, and l rat a copy of this resolution be sent to the I oard of '.theological Studies.'* * i The discussion on this motion was inter-; rpted' by the six' o'clock adjournment. EVENING SESSION, The discussion' on the Rev: F. Dunmotion was continued ' when the Synod resumed its sittings at half-past seven. j After a long debate the' resolution was carried unanimously. A LAY READERS' ASSOCIATION. 'Mr E. Y. Cox. then moved the following resolution:—" (1) That in the opinion of this Synod it is desirable that an Association should be formed,, to be. called the Christchurch Diocesan Lay Readers' Association. (2) That the objects of the Association shall be—(a) The Association of Lay Readers for prayer, conference, and effective service; (b) the. provision and maintenance of a lay readers' library. (3) That a gathering of lay readers for conference, -with a festival service in the Cathedra!, shall bo he.-d once a year. (4) Tliafc if practicable occasional "meetings, for prayer arid study shah be hfeld m\ Christchurch and other chief centres*. (5); That his Lordship the Bishop is hereby respectfully requested to make the arrangements to give effect to the.se resolutions." -After considerable discussion the Rev. H. E. East,' on the suggestion Bishop, moved the following in substitution of thte original motion: —'That his Lordship tiie Bisnop be respectful.y requested to make arrangements for the better organisation of the lay readers of tihe diocese." This was agreed- to, and the Synod adjourned at ten minutes past ten.