MEETING OE THE DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 154, 30 October 1873, Page 3

MEETING OE THE DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The sixteenth annual meeting of the Synod of this diocese was opened yesterday by his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch, the Primate of New, Zealand, in the absence of the Bishop of Nelson. The clergy were all present except the Eev. Mr. Porritt and the Eev. Mr. Rutherford, who are working in distant parts of the diocese, aud the Eev. Mr. Mules, who is again prevented by ill-health from attending. There was a fair attendance of laity. The roll having been called •by the Diocesan Registrar, Mr. Eell, the Synod was declared open for business. Prayers were then read, and his Lordship the President delivered his opening address. The Venerable Archdeacon Brett moved, and Mr. Pieesox seconded, " That a vote of thanks be given to his ' Lordship for his interesting address, and that it be printed in the yearly report." Carried. The Eev. Mr. Eonaldson called the attention of the Synod to the fact that the name of the Rev. Mr. Halcombe had been omitted from the roll of clergy. The President remarked that the Diocesan Synod consisted of the licensed clergy, aud that there was no evidence before the Synod to show that Mr. Halcombe possessed that necessary qualification. The Eev. Mr. Johnstone ventured to say that as Mr. Halcombe had once held a license, it should be shown that such license had been withdrawn before his name was omitted. It was moved by Mr. Barnicoat and seconded by the Eev. Mr. Johnston, " That pending the settlement of doubts as to his right to a seat in the Diocesan Syuod, the Eev. Mr. Halcombe be admitted to a seat in the Synod, in accordance with the provisions of the 2nd clause of the Statute for organising Diocesan Synods." Carried. The following appointments were then , made : — The Eev. Mr. Ronaldson . Clerical Secretary. 1 Mr. Lee . . . Lay Secretary. Mr. Lowe . . . Diocesan Treasurer. Mr. Barnicoat . . Chairman of Committee. • Mr. Jackson . ] A r , , r r, ! . > Auditors. Mr. Goulstone . J The report of the Standing Committee was brought up and read. THE LATE EEV. "W. D. EUSZ. The Eev. Thos. Elavell (Eeefton) asked leave to move, without notice, the following resolution, in which he felt sure would be fully sympathised in by Synod :—": — " This Synod deeply sympathises with Mrs^ Eusz. in the early and sudden death of, her son, the Eev. W. D. Eusz, late curate of Charles- > ton." Mr. Baenicoat esteemed it a great privilege to second the resolution. As a | former parishioner of Mr. Eusz's, he could bear testimony to the zeal, fidelity, and ear- ■ nestness which had marked his ministerial career at Eichmond. The Eev. Mr. Joiinstoni;, the senior commissary of the diocese, could not let the resotion pass with merely a silent vote. As one of those who had examined Mr. Eusz, "when , he was a candidate for the ministry, he coulc bear testimony to the many admirable > qualifications which he possessed for his work. His knowledge of Scripture was ex- ' cellent and accurate. The early termination, therefore, of so promising a careei

could not but be a matter of general regret. Eor his own part, he felt his loss as that of an intimate friend, nay, a brother; and his regret at that loss was increased on learning how largely it was shared in by the late rev. gentleman's parishioners at Charleston, on whose affections he was steadily gaining. He felt sure that the Synod would deeply sympathise with Mrs. Eusz, under her sad bereavement, as this was the last of her three sons. The motion was then put, and unanimously adopted. After sundry formal business the Synod adjourned for one hour. On resuming, the Synod, on the motion of Mr. Eell, went into committee to consider the report of the Standing Committee.

EIRE IN TEAFALGAIi-STEEET. Fortunately it is now a considerable while since we were called upon to report the occurrence of a fire iv Nelson. Last night, however, shortly before nine o'clock, a lurid reflection on the dark clouds overhead indicated the occurrence of fire somewhere to the southward of Christ Church, and in a few minutes afterwards the firebells rang out the alarm. It was soon ascertained that the premises on fire were those of Mi*. Alexander Mackay, the Native Interpreter, in Trafalgar-street South. It appears that two boys, named Beer andJackson, were passing the house, when they saw flames issuing from the roof of the kitchen. Stupidly enough, without warning the inmates, they rau at once to give the alarm. The Volunteer Eire Brigade were very quick in their arrival, and they were followed very soon by the Auxilliary brigade from the port, who, like their compeers ot the city, made most praiseworthy efforts to reach the scene of the conflagration iv time to be of service. Long before the arrival of the brigade, however, the work of destruction was all but done. It was with difficulty, indeed, that the children were got out iv safety. Mr. Mackay was sitting by the fire, when he heard a rushing sound, and before he could realise what it was one of the children rushed from the bedroom, witli a blanket wrapped round her, aud said the room was on tire. Mr. Mackay found it was so, aud so firmly had the flames taken hold of the walls aud roof that the inmates had barely time to escape. The house was a wooden one, and not of recent construction ; the flames, therefore, fouud fuel enough to feed upon, and so rapid was the progress of the fire that not an article of furniture or property of any description was saved. So fierce were the flames that it was with some difficulty the adjacent villa, occupied by Mr. Cxully, was saved. Fortunately a garden hose was available, aud b} r playing upon the wall next the burning cottage aud on the roof, the flames were prevented from spreading. The house destroyed was insured, but to what extent or iv what office we have not ascertained. Uufortuuately Mr. Mackay is a heavy loser, his effects not having been so protected. "We should not omit to state that Captain Lightfoot, of the Eire Brigade, saw the fire before the alarm was given, and hastened to the scene, but found that the fire had progressed so far that the protection of the next house (Mr. Gully's) was the best work to which he could apply himself} and he did so with good effect." To the credit of the brigade it must be added that they were present within five minutes or so after the alarm rang, although no horse could be obtained to draw the hose.