DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6832, 10 October 1883, Page 6

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Synod met yesterday in the Bishop's Library, the Right Rev. the President in the chair.

Present. — Clergy : Ven. Archdeacons Clarke, Dudley, Maunsell, Pritt, Willis, Revs. Baker, Biggs, Calder, Frith, Davis,. Evans, Farley, Gould, Gulliver, Baselden, Hill, Macfarland, Nelson, Phillips, Purchas, Smallfield, Tebbs, and Walpole. Laity : Messrs. Armstrong, Batger, Boardman, Cameron, Clayton, Cochrane, Crispe, Dawson, Doonin, Evans, Goldsbro', Green, Hamilton, Hammond, Haultain, Heath, Heather, Hills, Hughes, Ireland, Jackson, Kirkbride, Kissling, Larkina, Lusk, McMillan, Nolan, Pierce, Rawlings, Rice, Sawkins, Speight, Upton, Vickers, Wells, White, Woollams, Worthington.

Reports.—Mr. Upton laid on the table the report of the committee upon the repairs and improvements at Bishop's Court. Home Mission SociETr.— The report of the committee was brought up on the forma- [ tion of this society. The committee had twice met since the formation of the society. The society had at present £61 in hand. Condolence.—Mr.Lirkinß moved, "without notice," "That this Synod deeplysympathise with Mrs. Breeand Mrs. Ashnell on the bereavement they ha7e sustained, and express its gratitude to God for the services their husbands were enabled to render to the Church. "—Agreed to. St. John's College.—The report of the governors and trustees of St. John's College was brought up and read. The trustees submitted for consideration the desirability of selling the Tamaki estate and moving temporarily the College to a position nearer to the city; whether the action of the General Synod in this respect should be approved; they further submitted a proposal that the house and land of Bishop Stuart, in Parnell, should be purchased for £1200, as a residence for the College ; that if practicable any building to be erected for the College should if possible be upon a portion of the cathedral land. They suggested that 40 acres and the College site should be reserved from any sale. There was also a recommendation to lease certain allotments at Arohhill for 40 years.— Mr. Boardman moved, upon the consideration of the St. John's College .and other reports, " That this Synod approves of the action of the trustees of St. John's College in seeking authority to sell a portion of the estate, and of the action of the General Synod in granting that authority, also in the proposal for removing the institution temporarily to some situation nearer to the Auckland University College." He said the income of the' College has been £257, the expenditure £199, including the expenses of thei removal bill, leaving in round numbers £57 as remainder. The warden of the College received £250 a year, and another instructor £IQO. There was not very much instruction apparently given. These sums could not come out of the revenue. From what source did they come ? He held that they should not come out of the Scholarships' fund—the Maria Blackett Scholarship fund, for instance. It might be said that only one scholar should be maintained, and that being done the trustees might apply the remainder to other purposes. This was precisely what wa3 done in England as regards many of the charitable and religious trusts—one instead of several scholars was maintained, and the rest of the fund was practically misused. He believed that the institution would do little good with such a small amount of revenue applicable to its maintenance. He believed that there was a sufficient number of young men in Auckland to swallow up the whole of the scholarship funds. The time was past when the Church would be content with halftrained clergy. It was necessary to give the young clergy the highest culture possible. He admitted that some of the students and clergy who obtained their education at St. John's College manifested a culture that reflected upon themselves and the institution the highest credit. He had received a letter from the Bishop of Wellington stating that the Bishop would, had he been present in the General Synod when this question |was brought up, have opposed the removal. But he, Mr. Boardman, approved of the removal, because it was in the highest degree desirable that the students should be able to avail themselves of all the advantages to be obtained from the Professors of the Auckland University College. The trustees proposed to purchase a piece of land belonging to Bishop Stuart for £1200, and it was reasonable to hope that the students might be comfortably housed by the end of the year. The trustees had received an offer of £25,000 for the Tamaki estate. Making a deduction of £2000 for forty acres to be reserved, that would give an income of £920 for the next three years, £1150 for the next three years, and for the next four years £1380 a-year. That offer was declined, as it was thocght that £30,000 could be ohtained for the 1200 and odd acre 3 of which the estate consisted. An offer of £30,000 had been obtained, with three per cent., for ten years. That would give £900 a-year. He believed that an income would be obtained from the sale of the land which would fulfil all the objects for which the College was founded. The Bißhop of Wellington had nominated him one of the governors of the College. As he was not in accord with the Bishop of Wellington on this subject, he proposed to resign the office of governor.— Mr. McMillan could not agree with a cotrustee like Mr. Boardman, in saying that it was desirable to sell land so near the city at £25 an acre, in view of the value of land at Northcote and other places where £100 an acre was to be obtained. As a trustee, he J would only agree to sell the land as a business transaction, by which something like its fair value should be obtained. He objected to the terms "misuse" and "misappropriation" used by Mr. Boardman.—Mr. S. E. Hughes agreed with the action of the General Synod in giving authority to sell the land and to remove the College. But this did not include the price for which the land should be sold. The land need not be sold for years; or, until the best price could be obtained for it. —The Rev. Mr. Gulliver (warden of the College) said he would not. notice: many of the statements made by Mr. Boardman. Silence was the beßt answer that could be made to such statements. Mr. Boardman had said but little instruction was given. He could afford to despise such statements. It was hard enough to be connected with a pauper institution without any consideration of what he had to pay out of his own pocket. As to the removal, what was wanted by the students was hard and severe "coaohing," which would fit them in the shortest time for their duties. It was not refined and delicate scholarship that was needed, but rigorous, constant supervision and instruction.—Mr, Speight suggested whether there could be any question of the ■Bale of the land. For if the Synod had not any power in the matter, then why was the subject; being discussed ? As to the land, it appeared to- him that one of the first objects of the trusts was to secure a landed estate in perpetuity, increasing in value year by year. Ultimately it would be a property bringing in a revenue sufficient for all the purposes desired. "He would move that all that part of the resolution of Mr. Boardman having reference to the sale of land should be omitted.—Mr. Batger inquired what course should he adopted to shelve the motion.—The President said that could be done by moving that the Synod do proceed to the next business. Mr. Batger moved, "That the Synod do now pass to the next business on the order_ paper."—Mr. G. P. Pierce seconded' Mr. Batger's motion, which was agreed to. The President upon a point of order ruled that the decision just come to did not shelve the report or reports; it merely brought to an end the discussion upon Mr. Boardman's motion. He wished to bear testimony to the zeal, fidelity, and energy with which Mr. Gulliver had performed his duties as warden.

.Leasing Land.—Mr. G-. P. Pierce moved that it be an instruction to the trustees in leasing land at Archhill for 40 years that after the first 20 years there should be an advance of 50 per cent, on the rental. The increased value of land by that time would amply justify such an increase. In fact, the way Churoh lands were Bometimes let was Bimply giving them away.—Agreed to. Paek Road.—Mr, S. B. Hughes objected to the trustees of St. John's College proposing to give land for a road near Mr. Atkin's property. He objected that land should be " given away " for any purpose. Removal of St. John's College.—Mr. Larkins moved, "That the Synod approved of the steps taken by the trustees for the removal of the College to a site hear the city."—Dr. Purchas seconded the motion.--Agreed to.—Archdeacon Dudley thought it should be distinctly understood that the intention was to remove the College temporarily.—Colonel Haultainsaid thatwaapro- . vided for in the resolution passed last Synod, and moreover the General Synod required a special report to be made of the result of the

change, to be brought up at its next session.: Wells moved, " That in the opinion of . this Synod, the trustees should sell only such portion of the Tamaki estate as is necessary to give effect to the temporary change authorised by the General Synod. - . The Rev. Mr. Willis seconded the motipr J> _ Mr. Lusk thought that everything possible should be doneto find the means of providing for the objects for which the Oollege was established, without alienatmg any portion of its lands.—Mr. Larking was of opinion that it was necessary to fulfil the objects of the College at present as well as in the fntnre. — , Mr. Spaightmoved the followiogamendment: —." That the members of this Synod suggest to the governors the desirability of making provision for purchase of house and land in Parnell, by means other than the sale of any portion of the Tamaki estate." He believed that land given for such purposes should be held.in perpetuity, and, if revenue were to be raisedfrom it, it should be done by way of lease. —Rev. Mr. Farley knew a gentleman who intended to leave 300 acres of land to the Church. If this land were sold, he believed the gentleman would not leave a single acre to the Church.— The President said there was a distinction to be made as to selling an endowment and as to selling land left to the Church. The Synod wonld never consent to land being sold that was left to the Church. For example, the Synod would never consent to sell Bishop's Court, for it was the site of the Bishop's residence and "library" for all time. But for an endowment, circumstances might arise which would render it' not only highly desirable to sell such endowment but necessary.— Mr. Upton said if they sold the land, once done it could not be undone. It was just now a turning time in the value of land. He could point out land which sold ten years ago at £500, and would now produce and income of £2000 a year. Three gentlemen a short time ago bought land at Northcote for £400; now they could sell it a clear profit of £8000. It was impossible to say what might be the value of these lands in ten years.— Dr. Purchas ...said a great complaint was made last session that the College was not fulfilling its objects for want of funds. There was a great desire to make the College effective. For that purpose funds were necessary.—Mr. Wells hoped that there would be no sale of the corpus of the estate in any circumstances.—Archdeacon Dudley read a portion of a letter which he had received from Mrs. Selwyn to the effect that she believed' the late Bishop Selwyn and Sir William Martin would have opposed the selling of land as a general rnlo.—Colonel Haultain said there was a great misapprehension on this subject. The fact was that for a great many years owing to tJie long leases no in- : crease of income worth speaking of could be obtained from these lands. The income was, at the outside, not more than between £200; and £300. If the Church was to forego any substantial advantage from this estate they would deprive the present generation of students of their fair claims. It was not a proposal to sell the whole body of the estate and use up the capital. Nothiog of that kiud was intended.—Mr. McMillan said that for a period of sixteen years very little wonld ba obtained from these lands.—The President wished to correct a misapprehension. It had been said that the Synod had no anthority or control over the trustees. But the General Synod had taken the precaution of putting it into the the.power of the Standing Committee to prevent any sale of the estate.—The Rev. Mr. Tebbs thought it was wrong in principle to sell lands or endowments belonging to the Church. It deterred those who would leave lands or property to the Church from doing so, if their intentions were to be thrown to the winds as soon as any difficulty arose.— Archdeacon Clarke thought it was not the highest wisdom to starve one day in order to have a good meal the next day. The wants were immediate. He would support the proposal of the trustees.—Mr. Wells said that after hearing the extraet from Mrs. Selwyn's letter, he would vote for Mr. Speight's amendment.—After some further discussion, dnring which the Rev. Mr. Nelson, Rev. Mr. Gould, and Mr. G. P. Pierce addressed the meeting, Mr. Speight's amendment was put and carried on the voices. A division was called, with the following result :—Clergy : Ayes, 16; noes, 7. Laity: Ayes, 25; noes, 11. Amendment carried.

Election.—Mr. Kirkbride was elected a member of the Standing Committee. Siok and Destitute.—The Rev; Mr. Tebbs moved the appointment of a select committee to consider the subject of the relief of the sick and destitute, and to report to the Synod; the committee to consist of Archdeacon Dudley, Revs. Nelson, Bates, Messrs. Upton, Boardman, Rawlings, and the mover. He said that this committee woald operate as a feeder to the more comprehensive organisation suggested by Mr. McMillan's motion. Mr. McMillan proposed to carry on his operations during the recess. This committee would cease to exist when its report was brought up. —Agreed to. Charitable Aid Society. — Mr. McMillan moved, "That a committee be appointed to consider, take action, and report upon the immediate formation of a charitable aid society; to consist of the Right Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese, Archdeacons Pritt and Dudley, Rev. Mr. Tebbs, Colonel Haultain, Mr. G. P. Pierce, and the mover." He proposed that this committee should inquire during the recess. At the same time, once it was formed it could take action. He could assure the Synod that there was a great deal of unseen poverty in Auckland. He particularised a number of cases. The Ladies' Benevolent Society, when it existed, did an immense amount of good. The co-operation of the ladies would be necessary whatever organization might be instituted. — Mr. Upton said the Ladies' Benevolent Society performed a work in Auckland which only ladies earnest in doing good eould have accomplished. No man except the drunken or the aged or the infirm need be in distress. But deserted and helpless women were the great sufferers. It was impossible to estimate the amount of good which was done by the ladies of Auckland.— Mr. Pierce believed that immediate action would have to be taken in this matter. Since the stoppage of the Ladies Benevolent Society there was no organisation whatever for the relief of genuine distress. He believed there was an amount of distress amongst "broken down gentle folk," who would starve to death before they would beg, and among persons of considerable culture, who were not able-bodied, which no person was aware of.—Motion agreed to. Committee.—The Synod in committee (Colonel Haultain in the chair) considered the motion of the Rev, Mr, Tebbs and Mr. S. E. Hughes. Progress was reported.—The motion by Mr. Tebbs to the effect that only a dnly instituted incumbent should have power to appoint pariah officers; officers appointed by ministers in charge' to have authority only during the ministers' charge, was negatived. The Synod adjourned at ten p.m. to four p.m. Wednesday. notices op motion. The following notices of motion were given :— Archdeacon Dudley to movo," That that the Bill to provide for the election of clerical representatives to tno General Synod bo read a first time." Archdeacon Clarke to move, " KealUin* the necessity lor better accommodation tor its meetings than the present room, this Synod resolvos that immediate steps be taken for raising- a fund for the erection of a suitable Synod HalL" W l Tebbs to movc > "Notice of second reading of Bills to amend statutes 1., If., IV., and 111 (it considered)." v Archdeacon Dudley to movo, "Referring to the paragraph of tho report of the trustees of the General Trusts Board relative to the cathedral site, this Synod endorses the action of tho Board in approving of the proposals of St. Mary's vestry, relative to tho erection of a cathedral."