DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 91, 15 October 1881, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

_ * The Synod resumed last evening. -The committoe on tho Patea polition recommended ita rejection on various grounds, and on the motion of Mr. Marchant, tho roport was adopted. On the motion of Mr. Hunter, seconded by Archdeacon Stock, it was resolved — ",3'hat, this x jSynod havintr heard of the approaching, departure from Wolliugton of the Rev. B. W. Harvey\ desires to oxpross ite 6ense~Jßr3H«Ci63w Jhat.body will sustain in consequeiicn, and 'wiß'hcs to record it 3 deep senßfrof the .valuable^nid and assistance he Has on so many occasions rendered to this Synod." Mr. Harvey oxpressed his acknowledgments. On the motion of Mr. Powlos, throo Diocesan Nominators were elected by ballot, Archdeacon Stock, Mr. France, and Mr. Quick being ohoßon. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr.'O. Godfrey Knight for his valuable assistance in drawing up regulations for the Pension Fund It was decided, on Mr., Quick's motion, to memorialise the Governor that part of the Palmerston North Public Cemetery .bo set . apart for the Church. The Synod wont into • committee on the Registration Bill, After amending clause 6, progross was report©^ Mr. Rons Marten moved :—": — " (1 ) That in the opinion of this Synod, tho parish of St. Peter should bo relieved oE liability on aooount of the sum borrowed from the Pension ;' Fund for tho erection of St. Mark's Church, it being shown that a misunderstanding' existed in fopard to the arrangement entered into with tho trustees. (2.) That the interest — both current and arrears— on the sum of £7SQ, borrowod from the Pension Fund for the erection of St. Mark's Church, bo a charge on tho Gonoml Church Fund." He pointed -out that in tho* absenco of any written agreement — although a distinct vorbul understanding would of course have been equally binding could it be proved to have existed — they wero dependent on the memory of tho respective parties to the transaction as to tho construction intended to be placed on what had passod. One of those parties, St. Peter's parish, asserted positive y that a permanent liability on the jart of tho parish was never contemplated, fhe trustees woro tho other party, and ono ,of the two present in tho Synod took tho fame viow, but tho other held an oppoaite opinion. Here then was a direot conflict of evidence ou one side, while the other was unanimous. 13ut tho very trustee who maintained the pormanout liability of the parish was actually a party to tho legal document in which tho parish pledged all it 3 revenues, over and above certain specified necessary payments (such n<3 stipends, &c ), among which this one was not mentioned, toward meeting interest on its .£4OOO loan, raised for tbo jyjoossary erection of the now church, and so_ put it absolutely out of its power to pay this interest for St. Mark's, having, however, paid it- fqr. 3i years on the understanding"that it was merely • a temporary assistance to a young parish. Ho contended, therefore, that tho weight of evidence was entirely against &t Potor's parjsh having over undertaken any per* inanent liability, and as' it wns proved that tho parish could not pay tho Bum, whilo tho latter was a fair oiia'rge on the GettTfll Church Fund, ho urged the Synod to relievo the parish in tho manner proposed. Mr. • Hunter seconded tho motion, whioh the Roy, J Jones briofly opposed as chairman of tho committee which reported that St. Peter's parish was liable. Mr. Quiok moved tho lollowing amendment, whioh was oarried : — "That the Standing Committee bo empowered to take into consideration the position of fct. Petor's Church, as regards the arrears of interest due to the Pension Fund* and to aot in tho matter as they may deem expedient." The ba'anco-sheet and report of tho Diocesan Quarter was adopted on the motion of Mr. Powlos. The Synod then, on the motion of the Rev. T. Fanoourt front into committee on tho General Church Fund Bill, and voted tho clergy-stipends for the current year, and also passed the following resolutions: — "(1) That a deputation be sent round to the various portions of the Diocese ; to givo information concerning tho General Church Fund, and to excite increased interest in the successful working of the scheme. (2) That the attention of vestries and committees be drawn to the suggestion of Synod, thai with tho objeot of promoting the extension of the ohnrch throughout the Diocese, any ¦ surplus funds from offertories, after mooting current expenses, be given in assistance to the General Church Fund. (3) That the fact that St. Peter's parish, Wellington, has not yet joined the rest of tho Diocese in pro motmg the General Chuoh Fund, is prcjudi* cial to tho Bucoess of tho fund, and tho Synod recommend that that parish .bo strongly urged to join." In reforsnoeto tho last, it was pointed out by Archdeacon 1 Stook and Mr. Hunter that Ist Peter's parish had not tho power to join, if ever so willing, owinir 1o its engagements with its cieditors. The General Church Fund roport was ordered to bo printed, and Archdeacon Stock was appointed treasurer of tho Pension Fund. This concluded the business of tho session, and tho Bishop having briefly reviewed the work of tho aesßion, dismissed the members at midnight, with the Benediction. ___________«—_«_