DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 6

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The sittings of the Diocesan Synod were resumed, at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the Cathedral Library, Parneil, the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, presiding. The attendance of members during the afternoon and evening was as follows :— Clergy. Archdeacons Dudley, and Willis, Revs. Bates, Beatty, Bispham, Boler, Boyes, Calder, H. S. Davies, J. K. Davis, Gould, Haselden, Hawkes, O. R. Hewlett, Houchen, Johnston, Kidd, Larkins, Lush, Mac Murray, Marshall, Maynard, Nelson, Purchas, Richards. Laity.—Messrs. Batger, Bishop, A, Brown, Burton, Calder, Cornell, Churton, Clarke, Clayton, Cochrane, Cox, Crispe, Duncan, Green, Hamilton, Haultain, Heather, Hcsketh, Jackson, Kensington. Luke, Lush, Hon. W. McCullough, Messrs, Nolan, Rice, Snelling, Speight, Swarbrick, Templer, Thorp, Tibbs, Upton, Vickers, Wells, C. J. Wilson. STANDING COMMITTEE election. The Rovs. W. Beatty and I. Richards had the largest number of aggregate votes, and wore declared members of the Standing Committee. PAYMENT OF STIPENDS. The debate interruptedibn the previous day, on the first resolution moved by Mr. Kensington, was resumed. The motion was as follows :—" That, in the opinion of this Synod, it is desirable that all the clergy who are nob the incumbents of parishes, should havo their stipends paid in full monthly by the Diocesan Secretary, and that all contributions and assessments from parochial and country districts shall bo paid direct by the local treasurers to the Standing Committee through its secretary, and that the Standing Committee is directed to bring-this into force as soon as possible." *. The BishOp having expressed an opinion that the scheme was impracticable, Mr. Kensington added the words, "after the report of the committee now appointed be adopted." Mr. W. Duncan and the Rev. Mr. Hawkes spoke in support of tho motion, and tho latter made a forcible appeal against compelling country clergy to can vass for their own stipends. If an arrangement was made for the duo payment of stipends tho clergy in the back districts would have their positions improved. Archdeacon Willis spoke in support of the motion.

Mr. Batger pointed out that tho theory, though good, was impracticable. There was no use in passing such a resolution unless the means to give it effect wore pro vided.

The first portion of the motion affirming the principle was submitted. . . ; Mr. Mac Murray said that ib appeared to him if the committee was to report it must report to tho Synod, and it would be as well to refer to it now.

Mr. Kensington said he was willing to do that. He moved, "That the scheme be referred to a select committee or commission to report to the next meeting of the Synod, the commission to consist of the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley, tho Revs. Nelson, Beatty, Mac Murray, Lush, and Haselden. and Messrs. Hesketh, Speight, Upton, Batger, Wells, and the movor." Mr. Batger thought it would be better to refer the whole matter to the Standing Committee, who could consult country clergy, and who had all the data at their disposal. The motion, as proposed by Mr. Kensington, was carried. This disposed of the remaining three clauses of the motion. CATHEDRAL CHAPTER. Mr. Lore moved, " That a committee be appointed to consider that soction of the President's address that relates to the constitution of a chapter for this diocese, and to report to the next Synod, the committee to consist of Archdeacons Dudley, Willis, Revs. Mac Murray, J. Bates, Messrs. Upton, Rico, and the mover." Ho commented on the opening remarks of the Bishop, and the necessity for a chapter. A diocese without a cathedral was like an army without headquarters. From the antiquity of its origin, the chapter would be a symbol of the continuity of the church. The Rev. Mr. Mac Murray spoko of the early history and importance of cathedral chapters. The recent activity of the Church of England was, he considered, due to its return to cathedral discipline and practices. He related the work by tho chapters in the dioceses of Australia, and pointed out that it would not do to place on the chapter merely men whom they wished to recognise for services rendered ; bub they must, have men who would work, and he referred at length to the important work they would have to do. In conclusion, he said that if they desired the Church of God to progress, they must keep spiritual questions more in view, and remember that spiritual work was the object of their existence as a Church. (Applause). Mr. Mac Murray answered several questions as to the working of .the chapters in Australia. The motion was then put and the first part was agreed to unanimously. The names of tho Rev. C. M. Nelson, Colonel Haultain, and Mr. Hesketh vvcro added to the commission, and in this form it was carried. FREE SEATS IN CHURCHES. Mr. A. Brown moved, " That for tho greater encouragement of the masses to attend Divine worship in our churches it is very important that all the seats in them should be absolutely free." He pointed out the necessity for equality in the House of God, and strongly condemned the system of pew rents, and said that when people entered God's House they should feel they had a right there. He spoke at some length on the matter of the resolution, more especially tho respect of persons shown by giving the best seats to those who paid most. He also quoted statistics to show that the revenues of churches were increased by dispensing with pew rents, and ho included his own church at Tuakau as a case in point. The debate was interrupted by the six o'clock adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The Synod resumed at seven o'clock. point of order. The Hon. W. McCullough said before proceeding with other business, ho would ask the ruling of the president on a point of order which he had raised in committee last night. He had raised a point of order in regard to language used towards a member, bub the Chairman of Committee, Colonel Haultain, had ruled that ho could not raise the point of order, and that it should have been raised by the person aggrieved. His respect for the chair-nan prevented him from questioning his ruling at tho time or contradicting him, but since then he had looked tho matter up, and he thought his ruling was wrong, as the Parliamentary regulations provided that any offensive language used was offensive to the whole body as well as to the member referred to. As such a ruling might be a precedent, and tend to curtail the liberties of the Synod, ho asked the ruling of the President on the question, Was the chairman correct in stating whether the person aggrieved was the only person entitled to raise a point of order in regard to language used in the Synod ?

Mr. Speight said it would save His Lordship tho trouble of ruling if he was permitted to make a few remarks. If the Hon. W. McCullough felt aggrieved at the ruling of tho Chairman of Committee he could havo moved to report progress, and report the matter to the Synod. Nob having done so he now had no remedy.

Colonel Haultain said there was no standing order on the subject, and that "quoted by the Hon. W. McCullough was from the standing order of the House of Representatives, and ho thought the ruling he had given was right. The Hon. W. McCullough in reply to Mr. Speight, said it was his respect for the chairman which prevented him from taking action at the time, but he considered no technical objection should now. prevent his obtaining the ruling of the President. Mr. Speight said it was for tho purpose of preventing the establishment of a precedent that he spoke, and the question should certainly have been asked at the time. The President said the question certainly should have been asked at the time, but if he were asked whether any person was entitled to raise a point of order on language used by any member, he should have no difficulty in answering it generally. In tho ordinary proceedings of public meetings persons should refrain from using language improper or offensive to other members, and such remarks would be out of order, and any member was entitled to call attention to such language. ' He was nob speaking now as to what occurred last

night, as that was too far off, bub on the question generally. *"" ' The subject then dropped. > , . ■< STANDING COMMITTEE'S REPORTS. The Synod then went into committee for the further, consideration of the General Trust Boards accounts, Colonel Haultain in the. chair. The accounts of the diocesan trust, the native pastorate fund, and the native school trust were discussed ab considerable length. ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE trust. The trustees of St. John's College, in presenting their accounts to date, to June 30bh, 1892, reported as follows :— Purewa cemetery: 188 burials have taken place in this cemetery for the twelve months, July.l, 1891, to June 30, 1892, and the receipts for the same. period were £372 12s 6d. The total interments since the opening of the cemetery, January, 1889, have been 455 to June 30th last. . Tamaki lands : The .farm upon which" the trustees were compelled to re enter is now yielding an annual rent of £109 17s 6d, as against the previous rent of £45, and a part of the farm (about 60 acres) is still unlet. The trustees expended over £260 on the property in fencing and other improvements. The accounts showed receipts £1851 3s 6d, and the- expenses £1719 11*, leaving a balance of £132 12s 6d. These accounts were discussed with the others. The Rev. Mr. Mac Murray, when these accounts were under discussion, moved that the remainder of the accounts be referred to a committee to report. The present discussion was not only body-wearying but soul-destroying, and calculated to crush the interest of the Synod in church matters. On the motion of Mr. Churton the further consideration of these accounts were deforred. The remaining accounts— church trust and Melanesian trust accounts was not discussed. Mr. Churton then, in accordance with notice given by him, moved the following resolutions, at the same time indica ting the course he meant to pursue as auditor, and which he had already mentioned. The resolutions were:—l. "That in the opinion of this committee it is desirable that all accounts submitted to the Synod by the various Trust Boards should contain (a) a revenue and expenditure account, including income accrued and liabilities outstanding; (b) a capital account ; (c) a capital cash account." 2. "That the value of all landed property, freehold or leasehold, should be shown in the capital account of the Board holding the same." 3. " That it is desirable that the audit of the yearly accounts should be completed within 15 days from the end of the financial year, and that the accounts should be circulated amongst members of the Synod at least ono month bofore the commencement of the session."

A general discussion took place Mr. Batger strongly objected to the second motion. It was the opinion of one member of the Synod against those who had dealt with the accounts, but Mr. Churton was now an auditor, and would have ample opportunity next year to investigate the matter fully, and let tho proper body present tho accounts in the proper form next year. Mr. Weli-s suggested that now that the purpose intended was served, and Mr. Churton would have ample opportunity of going into the accounts and consulting the trustees as auditor, he should withdraw his resolutions.

This view was supported by Archdeacon Dudley as ho thought sufficient had been gained by those who had moved for a modification.

Mr. Churton obtained leave to withdraw his second resolution. He also obtained leave to delote the first portion of tho third resolution, leaving it to stand that the accounts should be circulated amongst the members at least 21 days prior to the session of tho Synod, and in this form it was carried.

Mr. Speight, by permission, moved the following resolution, of which he had given notice:—"That attached bo future reports of Boards having control of funds for investment shall be schedules setting forth in detail the followidg information : —(a) Description of each property hold under mortgage; (n) the same as regards any properties held by such boards through foreclosure ; (c) the amounts lent upon each property and the rates of interest earned by each ; (d) arrears of interest (if any); (E) estimated present value of each property ; (f) by whom the estimate in each case made ; (g) what amount of " writing down'' has been made during the year in respect to any of the properties." What he wanted was to have your by year a knowledge of the value of their properties and securities, and their earning powers, etc. The motion was discussed, and Mr. Speight replied on the necessity of the Board of trustees being personally rei sponsible for the manner in which tho trusts were managed and the loans made. Mr. Upton, as a member of the Board, said in his experienco no loan had ever been made without the knowledge of the Board, or without their having inspected the property offered as security. In no instance had Mr. Cochrane lent a single penny without their authority. The President, as chairman of tho Trust Board, said that he could bear testimony to the fact that the members of the Board had devoted a great deal of time as individual members to the work of the Trust Boards, and it would bo a great mistake to suppose that only the fag-end of their time was given to this work. The motion was negatived. PENSION board report AND accounts. This Board, in its report, stated: "Tho Board presents herewith a statement of the accounts for the year ending June 30th last, showing an increase to the capital of the fund of £824 2s 9d, the total capital being £13,02(514s Id. The grants made have been: From the clergy sick fund, five, amounting to £61 8a Cd; from the widows' and orphans' fund, ten, amounting to £207; and from the contingent fund (grants in aid), four, for £14 13s Sd. One refund has been made from the clergy pension fund to a clergyman leaving the diocese, of all his contributions to the fund. The subscribers have been as follows, viz. : Under old scheme: Auckland, European clergy (over 51), 10; Auckland, Maori clergy, 13; Waiapu, European clergy, 7; Melanesia, European clergy, 6. Under new scheme : Auckland, for a pension of £100 a-year, 11 clergy, and 10 parishes and districts for a pension of £50 a-year, 13 clergy, and 12 parishes and districts. Five of the subscribing clergy have left the diocese since tho last session of tho Synod ; two have severed their connection with the fund, the other three still remain as subscribers. The accounts wore not discussed. HOME MISSION SOCIETY. This committee's report, which was taken as road, stated that the work of the committee has been to receive the subscriptions and donations, and to pay them to the Home Mission fund, under the management of the Standing Committee. The receipts for the past year have been £150 18s 3d, being £38 13s 3d more than the previous year. £46 14s 5d has been obtained at lectures given by the Diocesan Missionary. The Chairman then reported that the committeo had now concluded their consideration of tho various reports and accounts of the Standing Committee, and adopted them with certain amendments which he submitted. The Synod resumed, and the reports as amended were submitted and adopted. FREE CHURCH SEATS. The debate on Mr. Brown's motion, as to having all seats in churches free, was resumed, Mr. Brown continuing his arguments in support of his motion. The Rev. Mr. Lush seconded the motion. He had the greatest sympathy with it, for ho hated pew-renta, and was thankful they did not exist in the church to which he belonged. The motion was spoken to by Mr. Crispe, who hoped it would bo heartily supported by the Synod. Mr. Luke also supported the motion. Mr. Beaiiy supported the motion, bub thought the matter should be referred to the clergy to consult the church officers, for it was a serious thing to interfere in the finances of a church in which pew rents were a source of the income. There were grave scandals in regard to these pew rents, and he was told of an instance in which a man took four seats, for which he paid £3, and sub-let two of them for £2. Dr. Purchas said he heartily supported the motion. He had never paid rent lor a pew; and'" never would do so ; and if they all decided nob to pay it, the pew rent would soon disappear. He was satisfied the pew rent was a great hindrance to the Church. The Rev. Mr. Hawkes, as a country clergyman, supported the motion.

The Ven. Archdeacon Dudley said be was not prepared to support the motion, but as he thought each man should have the courage of his opinion, he should therefore express his. He pointed out that the Synod statutes provided that it should be the duty of churchwardens to reserve onefourth of seats for the public free, and that in churches built subsequent to the passing of the statute the free seats should be placed promiscuously. He thought, however that some of the city churches should be occasionally absolutely free and unappropriated. Mr. Templer supported the motion. The Rev. Mr. Calokr said that in> some instances the business men who managed Church affairs had borrowed money on the security of the seat-rents, and as honest men' they could not consent to abolish them. !<•'.;. The motion was put and carried. The Synod then adjourned until three o'clock this afternoon. NOTICES OF MOTION. Notices of the following motions were given :— Mr. William Ddncan to move : " That a committee be appointed to consider and report to next Synod as to the beat method of taking election votes, such committee to consist of Rev. Mr. Beatty, Messrs. McCullough, Speight, Upton, Batger, and the mover." Mr. W. H. Chobton to move: " That a select committee be appointed to devise an equitable division of the Home Mission endowment fund between the Home Mission and country clergy funds ; the committee to consist of the ven. Archdeacon Dudley, the Rev. J. Haselden, Messrs. W. S. Cochrane, J. VV. Jackson, and the mover; the committee to report through the Standing Committee to the next Synod, and that, in the meantime, the interest on the endowment be capitalised." Mr. W. H. Chueton to move: " That the Standing Committee be requested to convey the two resolutions'regarding the annual accounts passed on the 3rd instant, to the several Boards concerned, with a view of giving effect thereto."