DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 741, 14 May 1886, Page 10

DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE.

An adjourned meeting of the Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held last night week. Present: The Bishop (President). Archdeacou Stock, Rev. J. Still, Rev. T. Fancourt (Secretary), Mr C. P. Powles (Treasurer), Mr Herbert Gaby, Mr Kenneth Wilson, Mr C. C. Graham, and Mr C. Rous Marten.

The sub-committee appointed last week to take into consideration the financial condition of the Diocese, and to make recommendations with reference thereto, presented their report, which was as follows :—“The sub-committee report that they are of opinion that in future the sums appropriated by the Synod should be kept within the limits of the estimated receipts. In order to accomplish this they recommend—(l) That the Secretary combine with his duties of Secretary the parochial cure of John sou ville, Ohariu Valley, aud Tawa Flat, on condition that £l5O per annum is contributed to the general church fund by tbe disirict. (2) That notice be given to t.he clergymen of Grevtowu, Featherston, Karori, and Feilding that, unless an improvement take place in the general condition of the church fund, the Standiug Committee will be compelled to recommend the Synod to reduce the amount appropriated in each case by wav of stipend, Greytown aud Featherston by £25, Karori by £3O, and Feildiog by £25 per annum. (3) That the Standing Committee, as managers of the general church fund during the recess of the Synod, give notice likewise to the same clergymen that the present stipends are voted only to the 30th June, and that the proposed reductions, if made by the Synod, will take place from the commencement of the coming financial year. This would effect a saving of £230 per annum upon the present expenditure. The sub-Committee further recommend that a special appeal be made to the town parishes, including Christ Church, Wanganui, for assistance towards covering the estimated deficiency for the current year.—O. Wellington, May 3, 3886.” The report elicited a lengthened discussion. On its adoption being moved, Mr Graham objected to the reduction of the Karori stipend, and urged that any reduction should be pro rata all round. It was pointed out, however, that the reductions were ODly made in the amounts contributed by the general fund as an addition to the sum provided by

the parochial districts, and that no reduction could be made on the parishes that contributed the whole amount of their clergymen's stipends. Mr Wilson pointed out that, even if the Bub-Committee’s recommendations were adopted, that would still leave a deficit of some £SO next year. The President expressed a confident opinion that a larger sum would be obtained by way of subscriptions, &c., than was set down in last year’s estimates, and that no deficit would remain at the end of next year’s operations. Mr Rous Marten drew attention to the fact that the Sub-Committee’s recommendations applied to the coming year, which begins on Ist July, and pointed out that even should these be carried out, there would still remain the current year's deficit of some £3OO ; this ought not to be carried forward into next year, but should be cleared off if possible by a special effort during the next few months. The President concurred in this view. Archdeacon Stock suggested the resuscitation of the “ special fund,” which was started by the Bishop three years ago, and that application should be made to wealthy churchmen for assistance in proportion to their larger means. The President explained that the collection for that fund had lapsed owiDg to his illness and departure for England. The report was put and agreed to. It was decided to postpone consideration of the measures to be adopted relative to the current year’s deficit. Mr Rous Marten suggested that the Synod should be advised to confine its appropriations rigidly within its estimated income, but to empower the Standing Committee (in the event of sufficient funds proving available, to pay stipends in full at the present rates, or as nearly so as the funds permitted. The President thought this course would be advisable. In reply to a question as to whether the Committee had power to reduce stipends, the President explained that the Synod would meet before the expiration of the September quarter, so that the matter would be decided by the Synod before the stipends for that quarter became payable. He did consider it unnecessary therefore, for the Synod to meet at an earlier date than usual. The Committee then adjourned to the 27th inst.