AUCKLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7772, 19 October 1886, Page 6

AUCKLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Synod session was resumed yesterday afternoon, at four o'clock, at the Library, Bishopsconrt. The Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishopof the diocese, presided; and there were present:—Clergy: Ven. Archdeacon Clarke, Ven. Arohdeacon Dudley, Ven.. Arohdeaoon Maunsell, Ven. Arohdeaoon Meredith, Yen. Arohdeacon Willis, Revs. Alio way, Baker, Bates, Beatty, Biggs, Boler, Burrows, Calder, Cockayne-Frith, J. E. Davis, H. S. Davis, Du Rieu, Evans, Farley, Gould, flaselden, O. R. Hewlett, Hill, Houehen, Kidd, Long, Marshall, MoFarland, Mulgan, Nelson, O'Callaghan, Phillips, Farohas, Richards, Smallfield, Tebbi, and Walpole. Laity : Armstrong, Bollard, A. Brown, W. H. Brown, Cadman, Olark, Clayton, Cochrane, Crispe, Doonin, Evans, Ewington, Hall, Hamilton, Hills, Ireland, Jaokaon, Kirkbride, Kissliug, Larkins, Lawrenoe, Luke, McCullough, McMillan, Nolan, Pieroe, Rawlings, Rice, Sandes, Seth Smith, Percy S. Smith, Snelling, Speight, A. K. Taylor, Upton, Viokers, Watts, White, and Wilson. The proceedings were opened with prayer. The minutes of Friday's meeting were read by the clerical secretary, and confirmed. INSPECTOR OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. The Rev. Mr. Smallfield laid on the table the report of the Inspector of Sunday* schools. The report was read by the lay secretary, The report contained a large amount of statistical information, and Mr. Smallfield gave notice to move " That it be considered to-morrow." THE BISHOP OF MELANESIA. His Lordship said the Synod would be gratified to hear that he had received very satisfactory letters from Bishop Selwyn. One of these was dated on board the Southern Cross, off Santa Crux, in which Bishop Selwyn said they had been to Nu* kupu, the island on whioh Bishop Patterson was killed. They were cordially received, and found that the Patterson cross was well cared for, and when he asked the reason from an old chief, he said it was tapu. He stated that they had a very trying season in the north. An epidemic in the nature of influenza had broken out, and he gave some medicine to the old chief, which, under God, cured him. He had heard of Mrs Cowie'a Women's Home, and hoped to be able to find employment for some of them. The next letter was from Norfolk Island, to which Bishop Selwyn had returned unexpectedly, as he was suffering from ague, but when he left again on a short trip he was accompanied by Airs. Selwyn. His great fear was that France would annex Banks' Island as well as the New Hebrides. women's home. The Ven. Arohdeacon Dudley laid on the table the report of the Women's Home, and at his desire it was read. It pointed out that they were in need of funds. The subsidy had been discontinued, and now they were entirely dependent on voluntary contributions, and the proceeds of work in the Home. They were informed that if they became incorporated under the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, they would obtain their share of the subsidies, but for reasons which were stated they could not accept this position, and they asked to be granted £50 or as much more as possible from the profits of the Church Gazette. Archdeacon Dudley gave notice that he would move that the request be granted, ST. MARK'S. The Rev. Mr. Kiohards laid on the table the report of the committee on the memorial praying for alterations in the boundaries of tit. Mark's Parish by cutting off a portion at Epsom and taking in a portion of Remuera. The committee recommended the prayer of the memorial, and Mr. Riohards gave notice that he would move that the report of the committee be adopted. APPOINTMENT OP MINISTERS TO OCT DISTICTS. The debate on the Ven. Arohdeacon Maunsell 'a motion, which was interrupted by the adjournment on Friday eveuing, was resumed. The motion, it will be recollected, by the omission of certain words in the original resolution, was made to read as follows: —"In reference to the appointment of ministers to districts aided by the Home Mission, the Synod resolve, I ' That as soon as practicable after each | session of the Diocesan Synod, the Stand- ! ing Committee shall eleot a sub-com-j mittee, who shall aot for them as a counoil with whose advice and consent the Bishop shall make suoh appointments.'" There was an amendment by the Rev. Mr. Gould to the effect that the Standing Committee be a council of advice re the appointment of ministers. Archdeaoon Maunsell announced that he, after consideration, decided to accept Mr. Gould's amendment, but he warned the Synod that at some future time they would regret not having adopted the motion which he had proposed. He complained that they were hampered by the constitution of the Synod in having their Governor presiding over them. He spoke at some length on the subjeot and was repeatedly interrupted by , points of order, but he protested against a speaker's line of thought being interrupted when addressing the Synod. He referred to the fact that the Bishop had the patronage of three-fourths of the diocese and was surrounded by those who were bound to him by the ties of gratitude and expeotanoy, and they had also heard a great deal about loyalty. The duty of the Roman Catholic clergyman was obedience, but they here had loyalty urged on them in addition to this. He contended that the appointment of ministers was not inherent in the Bishop, and that the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury empowering them to "ordain and send forth, did not give this right; and the mighty structure was built on the words " send forth" claiming to give to the Bishops the right of appointment. It was not recognised in England or amongst the Army and Navy, and only amongst pauper congregations was it olaimed that they had this right, but in a democratic population like this in New Zealand they would not stand this, or allow that the rich had the right to nominate their ministers, but the poor had not. He had the opinion of an eminent lawyer that the Bishop's liceuse did not give anyone the right to occupy their ohuroh or their parsonage, Mr. Cbispb rose to a point of order, and protested against Arohdeaoon Maunsell on every occasion when he referred to oountry districts designating them as paupers. They may be poor, bat were not paupers. Arohdeacon Maunsell said he had con* sulted Mr. Crispe's minister as to whether they were able to support their minister, and be replied they were not. If Mr Crispe took that stand let him not again apply for a grant to enable them to maintain their ministers. He then continued to deal in a trenchant manner with the stats of the Ohuroh and its interests in oountry districts. He contended that the Synod should have a voice in the appointments of ministers in parochial districts, as they bad in parishes. He oonoluded by supporting the amendment. His Lordship said he had a few words of explanation to make. It was not respectful to the Synod to bo disrespectful to the President by stating that he suppressed part of the truth. In regard to the Te Awamutu appointment, there was no secret whatever, and he found he had understated the term whioh he waited, on Friday. Instead of two months, he had to wait five months. They recommended Mr. Ruddock, but would not say how much they would contribute. If the Synod sat quietly by and heard him insulted, he could not sit and listen to what no private gentleman would put up with. He quoted from page 132 of the General Synod canons as to the authority of trustees of churches and parsonages. They shall allow the free use, etc., and shall not interfere with the right of occupation. Mr. Snelling pointed out that most of the churohes and parsonages were vested in the Churoh, and. therefore, it was not in the power of the districts to close their churches or parsonages against any person appointed by the Bishop. Mr. Cbispk urged that Arohdeacon Maunsell should withdraw the motion altogether. It would be quite time enough to complain when the country districts complained. Dr. Purohas said one of the oldest members of the Synod heard the remarks of Dr. Maunsell with pain. It was only the respect they all had for Arohdeaoon Maunsell that they listened to him at alb He thought the matter had now gone far enough, and as he could not agree with either the motion or the amendment, he moved that they now proceed with the next business. ■ The Rev. Mr. Burrows made a personal explanation in regard to his aotion re the Te Awamutu appointment, and his conference with the vestries of Te Awamutu and Alexandra. The people refused to guarantee a sum for a clergyman until they knew who tbe clergyman was. He cited several cases in which clergymen had been sent to places. >

who were not acceptable. Their wish in the North especially was, that they should, before they promited to support a clergyman, know who the clergyman was, and it was desirable that no clergyman should be sent to them, even temporarily, unless the opinion Of the people was first ascertained. His Lordship explained that he never meant to say that, for a temporary vaoancy of a Sunday or two, he would first consult the congregation. Mr. Grispe seconded the amendment proposed by Dr. Purobas, and it was put. A division wafircalled, and the voting was as follows Ayes: Clergy, 23 ; laity, 15. Noes: Clergy, 12; laity, 22. The amendment was, therefore, lost. Mr. Gould asked leave to amend his resolution, by the substitution of the words the Bishop 'Ms recommended to" being substituted for the word "shall" in the amendment. The amendment was disallowed, as being unnecessary. Mr. Speight considered the discussion led them astray from the point at issue. Dr. Maunsell had quoted the case of the Thames, whioh he (Mr. Speight) represented, and said the minister there was essentially nominated by the people after having held meeting after meeting, and the Bishop appointed him, and the principle laid down by Archdeaoon Maunsell worked there with entire satisfaction. He should vote for Dr. Maunsell's motion as amended by Mr. Gould. After some further lengthy disoussion, the amended resolution was put in the following form ;---" In reference to the appointment of ministers to country districts, the Synod respectfully recommends to the President that the Standing Committee be a council of advice with whom the Bishop shall confer previous to making suoh appointments." Mr. Kick moved as an amendment, " That the Synod are of opinion that there should be a counoil of advice to assist the Bishop in the seleotion of ministers to parochial and missionary districts, and that it be respectfully suggested to him that he should consult the Diocesan nominators." This led to further discussion, and finally S the first; portion of the amendment to the word " districts " was left. Mr. Gould said he would accept this as a prefix to his own resolution, and he asked leave to do so. Permission was given, and the preamble was put to the meeting. The division resulted as follows :—Ayes: Clergy, 11; laity, 21. Noes : Clergy, 21 ; laity, 17. The motion was therefore lost, and Mr. MoOullough moved as a further amendment " That the further discussion on Mr. Gould's motion be postponed till next Synod." This was not pressed, and Mr. Gould's motion was then put as it stood, and the following is the result oi the division :—-Ayes : Clergy, 10; laity, 20. Noes: Clergy, 22; laity, 18. The motion was therefore declared lost. (Cheers.) NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE DEPUTATION TO THE SYNOD. __ The President stated that he had roceived a letter from the secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, The letter should have been received on Friday, but it miscarried. He asked whether the Synod would receive a deputation of the Alliance, and an answer was asked for. His Lordship moved that the deputation be received at five o'clock, and this was agreed to, and the deputation was received at the appointed time. It consisted of Sir W. Fox, Dr. Knight. Messrs. T. W. Glover, John Buchanan, — Coupland, senr,, John Jenkins, and George Gregory. Sir W. Pox addressed the Synod as President of the New Zealand Alliance, the object of which was to promote one branch of the great temperance oause. He need not refer to the great evils resulting through intoxicating drink on the Anglo-Saxon race. There were only two ways to deal with the evil, and they were, to take the man from the drink, and the other taking the drink from the man. The former was carried out by Temperance organisations. The object of this Alliance and of the deputation was to invoke the help of the Church of England in enabling them to take the drink from the man, but that could only be done by political action. To do this they required the sympathy and support of the churches, and the women. They had the general support of the latter, and of many of the churches, and it was to invoke the aid and assistance of that powerful branch of the Christian body, the Church of England, and it would be a great encouragement to them to get their sympathy and co-operation in the work iu which they had undertaken to educate the people. His Lordship said they took a cordial interest in the work in which the association was interested, and would be ready to do all they could in removing the drink from those who used it to the injury of their bodies and minds. Mr. T. W. Glover also addressed the Synod, and referred to the presence of Mr. Coupland, of Albertiand, who was the representative of a prohibition district. He also referred to the settlement of Waipu, where no liquor shops were allowed, and although I the land was poor the settlers were contented, and strong and healthy. He explained what the object of the Alliance was : to place the power in the hands of districts to sweep away liquor from their midst, and they therefore sought the help of this powerful body of the ohurch. After Sir W. Fox and himself had travelled the oolony, he felt compelled to say that they found greater apathy on behalf of members and ministers of the Churoh of England than amongst any other body of Christians. He felt this more keenly as he was only recently from England, where he remembered that noble body of olergymen who so ably advocated this great project of progressive prohibition. ' He asked the Synod to pass some resolution on the subject. Sir W. Fox then thanked His Lordship and the Synod for their courteous reception, and felt satisfied they would receive the cordial cooperation of the Synod. GENERAL CHUROH FUND. Mr. Ewington laid on the table and read the report of the committee appointed to establish a general ohuroh fund in the diocese. It reoommended that Archdeaoon Dudley personally canvass the diocese. PRINTING RESOLUTIONS OF BYNOD. The Rev. Mr, Nelson presented this committee's report. •• • PENSION FUND. Mr. Kawlings moved, V That the report of the Select Committee on the Diocesan Pension Fond be now considered." Also, "That the report of the Diocesan Pension Board be now considered." < Mr. Speight had given notioe of the fol'owing resolution :—" That no system under wn:«m pensions, retiring allowances, or other aids te clergymen or their families become payable can be deemed satisfactory whioh does not settle,. in a definite manner, the amounts so payable, together with the conditions of payment, and make compulsory upon clergy and parishes the contribution to the fund necessary for these purposes." The Synod went into committee to consider the reports and the resolutions. The Pension Board report was first read. It contained the following recommendations — " That before any grant be made from the emergency fund, the applicant shall be required to make a declaration that unlets he receives assistance from the fund, he will be unable to take the course reoommended by his medical adviser." "That in case of the marriage of a clergyman over the age of sixty years, his widow shall not be entitled to participate in the benefit of the pension fund for a longer period than ten years," In committee the penalty on a clergyman for not paying his subscription was reduced from 25 per cent, to 10 per cent. The recommendation re grants from emergency fund was amended by adding the words "to a olergyman temporarily invalided" after the word "fund." The clause as to the marriage of a olergyman over sixty years of age was oarried without disoussion. In regard to the constitution of the Board the committee recommended that two clergymen be added to the Board, as they considered the clergymen should be represented on the Board. Archdeacon Dudley opposed the motion, as since the Board was managed by the Bishop and five laymen it had been better managed than in any part of its previous history. The Chairman then reported progress and obtained leave to sit again. The Synod then resumed. A motion was carried postponing the prorogation of the Synod until Wednesday. NOTICES OF MOTION. . The following notices of motion were received :— ArchdeacOn Dudley to move to-day, •' That the' memorial of the Lady Superintendent of the Women's Home be taken into consideration." The Rev. Isaac Richards to move, "That the report of the committee appointed to consider and report on the petition of the incumbent and vestry of the parish of St,

Mark's, Remuera, be taken into consideration by the Synod." Mr. Fredk. Labkins to move, "That the Sunday School report be considered to-day, October 19, 1886." Arohdeacon Willis to move, "That' it is desirable that alteration be made in the publio education law of the colony, whioh will provide for :—l. The daily reading of a portion of the Holy Scriptures as a regular part of the duties in all the schools of the colony. 2. The payment of grants in aid to all schools other than Government schools, whioh after inspection shall show results np to a given standard." Arohdeaoon Willis to move, " That th's Synod heartily sympathises with the aim and objects of the New Zealand Aliance, and commends the Alliance to the earnest support of the clergy and laity of the Diocese." Mr. Upton to move, " That Mr. Ewington be a member of the Churoh Gazette management committee." The Rev. A. G. Purchas to move, " That the Bishopscourt committee appointed at the last session of the Synod be re-appointed." The Rev. C. M. Nelson to move, " That the report of the Select Committee on printing resolutions of Synod be taken into consideration. " Archdeaoon Dudley to move, "That resolution VIII. in Statutes and Resolutions of 1885 be altered, and read as follows :—At each annual session of the Synod it is desirable that a publio Churoh meeting be held, at which papers on Church topics should be read, and subjects of importance to Churoh members should be discussed, such meeting to be presided over by the Bishop of the diocese ; the Standing Committee to make the necessary arrangements for such meeting." The Rev. S. Gould to move, (1) " That if the church is to give religious instruction in State Schools, so far as the present inadequate facilities for giving such instruction will allow, this work should be under the direction of some competent teacher." (2) " That a special fund should be opened for th« payment of this teacher, and to meet the other expenses of the work, and that contributions to this fund be invited from tbe city and suburban parishes and districts, and from all who are interested in the work." The Synod adjourned at ten o'clock, until four o'clock to-day.