A Peep into the Synod

Free Lance, Volume X, Issue 500, 29 January 1910, Page 17

A Peep into the Synod

FEATURES THAT STRUCK US.

EVEN that close brotherhood, the ' Masons, would not have known their -meeting-place in Boulcottstreet last week had they strayed into it. The Anglican Synod was being held there, and from the grey-bearded Primate to the pale young cura/te— who is reputed to spend .much time in his parish oyer tennis and tea —the various ranks of the clergy surged in and about the hall. For one clergyman differeth from another clergyman in. glory. j- * * It didn't take even the casual observer long to discover this fact. He had only to look, for instance, at the Lord Bishop .of Auckland to realise to what heights ecclesiastic dignity might soar. Bishop Neligan. the castigator of pagans, the defender of the faith, the spouter of the-London soap-box, sat on the dais at the Masonic Hall like fifty Solomons in all their glory personified in one piece of imposing humanity. "Kings anight be blest, but he was glorious, o'er all the ills of life victorious." The Bishop of Auckland, for some unexplained reason,

had donned the scarlet robe' of convocation, usually worn when theological degrees are being conferred. _ Even the Primate, venerable as he is, and president of the Synod, chose the less ostentatious effect of black. But then, the Northern prelate might wilt in the darkness. He seeks the full blaze of light. Hence he held a. seat next to< the window, where the afternoon sun. might play with his massive gold cross and scarlet gown. A pagan might well have trembled to behold Bishop Neligan. . * •* * The whole Synod presented a marked study in contrasts. One could pick out the "sporting parson." almost infallibly, and.the only sport left for the out-of-his-element pressman was to find his own opinion confirmed when he came to* definitely ask the (question from a member of the cloth. The indefatigable hustler who did not appear to care two straws for conventionality was there, seated side by side ■with the -man who believed that the cloak which Paul left at Troas was a certain vestment without which _ even an early church pastor was all at sea. « « * For instance, only one look at Archdeacon Calder was necessary to convino© the onlooker that he is a grafter to the very last hair of his head. An archdeacon is canonically entitled _to be addressed as the venerable. J>ut who could think of calling this hustling,

restles3, genial little piece of "the cloth." venerable? No doubt, he's worth the best of titles. But he doesn't ©veil look venerable. _ A fair, flowing flaxen moustache, which seems to way© idlers to one side, and say: 'Xiook out. I'm coming!" grey eyes that look half earnestly, half merrily through pine© nez, a well-preserved shock of fair hair on about five feet four of plucky, progressive humanity, a voice full of conviction and certainty, and—wonder of wonders in. an archdeacon —no gaiters, but knickers, navy blue stockings, and lace-up boots, with the laces dangling about the uppers. That's Calder. the man who never rested in; his seat for more than 2f minutes at a. stretch during the whole, of the Synod.

Canon Pollock, who has com© from England on a mission tour of New Zealand, not only catches the eye. He holds it. This Lancer doesn't care where you happen to see Canon P'ol-

lock, lie ventures to say that you wilil look at him twice—throe times. if possible. His features are striking, from his protruding nose of unusual shape to his stove-pipe, higlnchurch hat. What's that? "Supposing he's not wearing a hat when you see him?" Well, then he's even the more conspicuous .by reason of a cranium as void of hair as a new-laid egg. Canon Pollock is famed as a; scholar, and he looks it. Has a reputation as the kindliest of men, and he looks it. Is a reputed public speaker, and you would say. "Shouldn't wonder!" the moment you saw him. He carries with him a brace of curiously-cut sidewhiskp~~ a pair of grey eyes, a mouth that shuts as purposefully as ever mouth did, and which will open to considerable purpose in God's Own country in the next few months. * » «• A West Coaster—a layman this time —aaxd. like Archdeacon York, of Greymouth, a son of Anak, is Mr. Bayfield, from, Westport. A fin© type of face on a massive frame, a beard tipping into the grey from its original

brown, receding forehead, a proinouiiiCed Roman nose, and a finely-modulated voice. one recognised wiieca the Westport Bayfield cam© to light what " a tower of strength'' meant in Church phraseology. With his love of Church progress, Mr. Bayfield combines his business of company secretary, mining agent, etc. ** * • The Rev. Mr. Hobbs. of Hastings, quite impressed one. Possibly, at some time or other he chaplained a polar expedition. Either that, or else he has been a missioner to Greenland's icy mountains. Nature gave Mr. Hobbs a face which suggests pinching cold.

This suggestion is accentuated' by his habit of muffling his clerical frock coat well up about him. Buttoned tightly, it gives one the impression of enveloping him to. the very ears, though it doesn't actually extefnd that far. Mr. Hobbs has quite a Duke of Wellington cast of features. » * « The general secretary of the Synod, Mr. C. H- Statham. hails from. Dunedin. That's probably why h©_ looked so dapper and serious. Dunedin folk take life seriously. Also, they're very careful—even of their clothes. Mr. Statham was always on th© move about th© room. Now he was delivering letters—a sort of ecclesiastical postman. Then he wai3 inspecting soon©

weighty-looking books. Again., lie would 'be dropping a word in, season into the ear of one of_ the clergy. But, "he never .smiled again," or words to •that effect, while this Lancer was within 1 eyeshot. The general secretary reminded one of that, phrase-of the Litany: ' 'Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners." Archdeacon Willis, of Camib ridge, the protagonist of the. Bible-in-Schools fight, . looks out on the world through eyes set far back in an impressive head; also through a pair of pinoe mez. All the hair that this reverend gentleman has retained during his theological career isn't worth

writing about, but he has a sca»nty grey beard, trimmed, according to the rubric of Ms Church, "decently and in. order." Archdeacon Willis is a keen fighter and a hard hitter in debate, ready to reply, and as full of movement when, on his feet as a trough at a trout hatchery » a « Of course, one could not be long in the Synod without noticing Dean Fitchett. of Dunedin. The Dean is a mail of spare figure, = and his whole bearing bespeaks the scholar. His face ha® either inherited, or else over many years assumed, a cynical appearance. And Dean Fitchett can. #be cynical, satirical, sarcastic, _ biting, whatever you like in that direction. The Dean was out for argument on. the subject of theological degrees, and he batted freely all round the wicket. It was Dean Fitchett whom a neighbouring parrot interrupted with "Pretty Coicky!" through the open window.

Probably, tlio Dean's high-pitched voice excited the bird. Also, it was the Dean: who stated that he had overestimated the courtesy of the Synod. « « ® One of the laymen who was yery frequently hearrd of was Mr. H. D. Andrews, of Chrii3tchuirch. _ Mr. Andrews is a lawyer, and his attitude

bespoke the legal mind. He was, right throughout the proceedings, a stickler for points of order. In fact, as this lynx-eyed gentleman, with the iron-grey hair, and moustache to match, well-tanned face, a<nd semihumorous expression, bobbed up and down toi "Point of order milord!" one could not help wondering whether he would call the Archangel Michael to order if he were to enter the Synod room unannounced. However, Mr.

Andrews was an obviously useful man in the Synod. * • So also was. Mr. Fielder, the tall gentleman from Napier, and clerk of the Napier diocese. Mr. Fielder lias a flowing beard, wore two pairs of glasses when reading, thus evidencing weak sight, held his hand to hisear when listening to debate, indicating r .' .

weak hearing. Yet, again and again, with important suggestions, Mr. Fielder got there. _ What he d-oesn't know about ecclesiastical procedure appears to he unwritten up to this present stage. The cultivation of hair is probably Mr. Fielder's private hobby. No one in the Synod could show a® much to the square inch of head' as he. * * * The Rev J. P. Kempthorne, of Nelson, is a man of versatile gifts. He has caught the sunshine of that 'little 1 ; city both in his genial and warm nature and in his well-browned complexion. A man of few words in the Synod, but a man of .many friends, it was a oommon sight to see him rise in response to pleasant smiles $nd . greetings, and

shake .hands with a bevy of ladies who had entered the hall; The Rev. John is said to bei a bowler of some, merit. At any rate, it seem® highly probable that his fine deep colouring ,may haye •been to some extent established whilst chasing kitty. ' •

Miss. Arline Thackeray inserts am anno uncement in our advertising columns with regard to the resumption, of her work as "teaches* of the violin at the Dresden rooms next week. Intending pupils are requested to communicate at once. «• a « In another column Mrs. Emest Queree intimates to pupils and intending pupils that she will resume work at Bouioott Chambers next week. Mrs. Queree may be interviewed at her rooms on. any morning after 10 o'clock. •e . e At the concert chamber of t!h© Town Hall to-niight (Friday) Sir Joseph Ward will make a presentation of a purse of sovereigns to Mr. E. Gallichan. the Liberal organiser in New Zealand. All the members of the Ministry will be present, and a fine musical programme has been arranged.