DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8578, 4 September 1888, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Monday, Sept. 3. j AFTERNOON SESSION, j The Primate took his seat at 4 p.m. DEPORT ON THE CATHEDRAL. i The Primate read the following report on the state of the cathedral and spire, 'byMr Mountfort, architect, who had made an inspection of the cathedral and spire since the earthquake:— '‘Christchurch, Sept. 3, 1838. “To His Lordship the Bishop of " Christchurch. “My Lord, —In response to the direction of the Chapter, I have made several detailed examinations of the cathedral, in order to ascertain if it has sustained any damage from the severe shock of earthquake at 4.12 a.m.on Sept. 1, In consequence of the fall of fragments _of stone from the top of the spire, two holes have been broken through the roof of the North aisle, and a i smaller one on the North side of nave ! roof, but in no instance did the stone ! penetrate through the roof. A falling I fragment of stone has also broken the i slate on the roof of the North porch. The • repairs to these injuries are now in hand, and 1 expect that they will be completed in two or three days. With the above exceptions, the body of the Cathedral does not show the least indication of injury, | and does not appear to have suffered at ‘ all from the shock. In one of my examinations I was accompanied by Mr Stocks, j the builder of the most considerable part of the fabric, and he also was not able to detect any appearance of injury. In ! anticipation of the fuller report I am prei paring on the damage to the upper part ’ of the spire, I may state that the injury is confined to that part of it which is above ; the top strengthening hoop, to which level the iron binding rods from the solid apex were taken. It can be seen that before it fell the whole of the top to the before named level was moved as one body about one inch and a half to the North and East. The whole of the work of the tower and spire below the line.of the top strengthening hoop, is is sound and good as it was before. No injury to the, fabric can be discovered ; some of the pinnacles and copings of the lower work have been damaged by falling fragments, but these are only superficial and do not affect the stability of the work. The loose stones are now being taken off the top, and I expect the work to be completed by Sept. 5. In closing this interim report, I wish to express to your Lordship and the Chapter my appreciation of the courage, promptitude, and activity of the towerkeeper Anderson, whose exertions, I think, averted more damage by the removal of dangerous fragments and securing the iron work of the falling cross.—l have. See., B. W. Mountfort, Architect.” The reference made ia the report to the pluck of Anderson, the steeple-keeper, was received with loud applause. PENSION FUND. The Eev J. O’B. Hoare moved—“ That, in the opinion of this Synod: (1) No system for dealing with the Pension Fund is satisfactory which does not, as far as possible, consider it as a Pension Fund. Kev C. Bowen seconded. (2) That no system which aims at satisfying the claims of those who come on the Fund by the payment of a lump sum can accomplish the end for which the Fund was formed. Rev J. Preston seconded. (3) That, with the present income, a scheme of pensions may be arranged both just and equitable, which, without trenching on the capital of the Fund, would bo a substantial help to those clergy who may bo incapacitated for active work by ago or sickness, or, in the event of death, to their widows and orphans.” Nos. 1 and 2 resolutions were carried, and the third was withdrawn, on the understanding that it would again come up when Mr MTntyre’s resolutions, containing the proposed regulations recommended by the Clergy Pension Board, came cn for discussion. The Synod adjourned at G p.m. until 7.30. EVENING SITTING, The Synod resumed at 7.30, and went into Committee on the PENSION FUND. The Synod further considered the regulations recommended by the Clergy Pension .Board, and on reaching Clause 11, progress was reported at 10.25, and leave given to sit again. The Synod then adjourned.