ANGLICAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 14

ANGLICAN CHURCH.

THE DIOCESAN SYNOD OPENS. REDUCTION IN MEMBERSHIP. THE WAIKATO BISHOPRIC. The first session of the twenty-fifth synod of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland was opened yesterday. The synod is the first held since the diocese was divided by the separation of the Waikato, King Country and Taranaki districts, and the creation of the Diocese of Waikato. Holy Communion was celebrated in St. Mary's Cathedral at 8 a.m. by Archbishop Avorill, who unveiled a window in memory of the late Bishop Neligan. The synod was constituted in the cathedral at 10.30 a.m., when the archbishop delivered the second portion of his charge. At 3 p.m. the synod assembled in the parish hall for the transaction of business, approximately 70 clergy and 50 laity being present. In the course of his address, the archbishop referred to the creation of the Diocese of Waikato and the consequent decrease in the synod's membership, and the loss of many valued clergy and lay-' men. The consecration of Archdeacon C A. Cherrington as the first Bishop of Waikato, said the archbishop, would take place in Hamilton on November 30- It would make another link between New Zealand and the Diocese of Lichfield, in which the bishop-elect had worked for a number of years. The archbishop expressed his regret at the retirement or resignation of Miss Pulling, first headmistress of the Diocesan Girls' High School, after 23 years' service: Mr. C. T. Major, headmaster of King's College: Mr. Clifton Smith, headmaster of King's School; Mr. G. A. Thompson, Diocesan secretary; and Mr. Norman Williams, hon. secretary of the Central Fund. Extension of the Church.

He expressed regret at the sudden death in London of Dr. Crossley, formerly Bishop of Auckland, to whose widow the standing committee and the Maori Synod had sent resolutions of sympathy. The archbishop also referred to the deaths of Miss Chatterton, a missionary to the Northern Maoris, Mr. A. D. Lubecki, and Mr. W. C. Esdaile, former members of synod. Referring to the new Church Extension Fund, for assist ng work in the rapidly-growing suburbs of Auckland, the archbishop stated that so far £I9OO had been received. To meet the increase of population, the parochial district of St. Columha had been divided by the creation of a new district, Point Chevalier. A further division would have to be made before long. A church hall had been erected at One Tree Hill by the parishioners of Ellorslie. If was proposed to reduce the Henderson district bv transferring territory to Helensville, and to form a new district, consisting of New Lynn and Gleo Eden. Efforts had been made to obtain a church site beyond the Remuera tram terminus from the St. John's College trustees, but for various reasons the. project had not been carried out. The Social Service Board had come into existence to unify the social work of the church, to prevent overlapping, and to work for the improvement of the finances of the Orphan Home,' the Children's Home and St. Mary's Homes- Ihe archbishop expressed a hope that parishes would make regular collections for the benefit of the board. Appointment of Officers. The Rev. P. S. Smallfield was elected clerical secretary, Mr. T. Charter lay secretary, Mr. C. J. Tunks chairman of committees, and Rev. G. Gordon Bell clerk of committees. A motion of sympathy with Mrs. Crossley in the loss of her husband, the late Bishop Crossley, was carried in silence. It was resolved to thank the archbishop for his address, and that it should be printed. The report, of the Standing Committee on church extension stated that £IBB4 had been received in response to the archbishop's appeal for £3OOO. Church sites had already been procured at Grey Lynn and Hobsonville, and grants amounting to £425 had been made toward the erection of buildings for church purposes in the outer suburbs. In the course of a discussion on the Social Service Board an appeal for help (o St. Mary's Homes, Otahuhu, was made by the Rev. G. Cruickshank, who stated that the committee of the homes had reluctantly been compelled to increase the charges and to insist that they should be paid in advance. It had found itself with £4O in hand, with the current month's expenses outstanding, and so had been obliged to call on its reserve fund. After considerable discussion a motion was carried advocating an annual budget with voluntary assessment of parishes to meet the requirements of the diocesan homes and orphanages.