THE BISHOPRIC OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12027, 25 July 1902, Page 6

THE BISHOPRIC OF AUCKLAND.

MEETING OF THE SYNOD TO-DAY. ; A special meeting of the Synod of the Diocese of Auckland will be held to-day for the purpose of taking steps to select a successor to the late Bishop of Auckland (the Most Rev. Dr.« Cowie). A Communion Service will bo held in St.; Paul's Church at ..ten o'clock this morning, when the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Wallis) will celebrate and address the congregation. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, the Synod will assemble at St. Mary's Hall, Parnell, under the presidency of Archdeacon Caldor, as Bishop's Commissary. '■: '. '

After prayers, Archdeacon Calder will address the Synod regarding the business to be placed before them, and will propose a motion regarding the death of the late Bishop Oowie, and expressing sympathy with his family in their bereavement. - The next business will bo the consideration ,of the following motion by Mr. W. J. Speight:—"That tho Synod do' not now proceed to the nomination of a successor to Bishop Ccwie, but that instoad of so doing the Standing Committee of tho diocese be requested to devise and report to tho next regular annual meeting of the Synod a mod© by which such fixed assured income for the future bishop of the diocese will be provided. 2. That in the consideration and formulation of such mode or scheme the following shall bo adhered to: (a) The stipend to, be fixed at not less than £800 per annum,, exclusive of residence; (b) that if the committee decide to provide for the difference between the net income available from the. bishopric endowment fund towards the bishop's stipend, and the minimum stipend fixed, -by, way of assessment upon the income of parishes and parochial districts, a schedule, showing in detail how each parish and district would be affected by such assessment; shall be attached to the report of the committee ; (c) that '■ copies of the report;,be sent to each vicar, vestry,' church committee, and lay member of the Synod, at least 14 days before the date fixed for the annual meeting of the Diocesan Synod, 1902. :'■' 3. That, upon the first clay of the session of the Synod of 1902. nominations for a successor to. Bishop Come be made an order of the day for a specified day and hour dui-ing the said session." . , ' Then there is a motion On the order paper by Mr. J. 11. Upton, regarding regulation 74, which states that "subject to the provisions of -Title B, canon 2, clause 7, synodsmen shall be elected for a period of three years at a general election, to bo held once .in throe years for that purpose." 'to this Mr. Upton proposes to add the following: — "Provided, however, that in the event of the resignation or death of a bishop, the Synod then existing .shall continue in office until his' (the bishop's) successor is appointed."

If the Synod decides to go on with the nomination of a new bishop the procedure will be as follows: Nominations are to be made by one of the clergy and seconded by one of the lay representatives; the votes': are to be taken by ballot, and an absolute 1 majority of the votes of each order (that is, clergy and laity on!}', there being no bishop, and the commissary voting with the clergy) is required for an election; if the required majority be not given for any of those nominated on the first ballot, a second, and, if necessary, a third ballot is to be taken, and in case the third should be ineffectual, additional nominations may bo made; the Synod may delegate its right of nomination to any person or persons it may appoint, either absolutely or subject to conditions; the nomination is to be sanctioned by the General Synod, or, if the General Synod be not in session, by the standing committees of the several dioceses, those committee voting by orders.