THE PRIMACY QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 946, 18 April 1890, Page 9

THE PRIMACY QUESTION.

RESIGNATION OF THE PRIMATE. The Most Rev the Bishop of Wellington received on Friday a letter from Bishop Harper enclosing the following communication from the Bishop of Nelson : “ Christchuroh, April 10, 1890. “My dear Bishop Harper,—l intend convening a special meeting of General Synod at Wellington on April 24, for the purpose of the election of a Primate, and the confirmation of the election of the Ven Archdeacou Julius as Bishop of Christchurch. “Yours faithfully, “ (Signed) A. B. Nelson.” Upon receipt of this document (which is in effect a pledge on the part of Bishop Suter to call the General Synod together as requested), the Bishop of Wellington signed the following form of resignation, which he had drawn up after consultation with the Diocesan Chancellor : “To the Right Reverend Andrew Burn Suter, Doctor of Divinity, Bishop of Nelson, a Diocese of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, commonly called the Church of England, being the senior Bishop of the said Church. “Whereas at the last General Synod of the said Church, which met in Dunedin in the month of February, 1889, the Most Rev Henry John Chitty Harper, Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch, in the said Province, snd Primate of the said Church, signified his intention of resigning his Primacy, and the General Synod elected me as his successor. “And whereas by reason of the said Henry John Chitty Harper not having resigned at the time of such electiou, it has been contended by divers persons, members of the said Church, that such election was informal and void. “ And whereas the said Henry John Chitty Harper has since the said electiou resigned the Primacy of the said Church : “Now therefore in order to avoid doubts and contentious with regard to my election, and in order to promote the peace of the said Church, I, Octavius Hadfield, Bishop of the Diecese of Wellington, in the said Province, do hereby, in accordance with thejprovisions of section 27 of Title A, Canon 1., resign my said office of Primate and all right and title thereto. “ Given under my hand this eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety. “Signed) O. Wellington.’' This was despatched to Bishop Suter (as senior Bishop) by Friday evening’s mall. FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS. The Bishop of Nelson arrived in Wellington from Christchurch on Sunday, and had interviews on Monday morning with the Bishop of Wellington and with the Chancellor of the Wellington Diocese (Mr Quick), when the arrangements relative to the •oming election of a Primate were fully discussed. Bishop Suter finally decided to convene the special session of the General Synod for Wednesday next, the 23rd inst., a day earlier than had been previously proposed. This will enable members from Auckland, Taranaki, and Hawkea Bay to arrive by the through train on Tuesday night. With regard to the place of meeting, a question arose whether the Diocesan Library or the Exchange Hall would be the more convenient place. Bishop Suter, howeve*. was in favour of the Diocesan Library, and it was agreed to ask the Standing Committee to authorise its use for the purpose. As the total number of members does not exceed that of the Wellington Diocesan Synod it was thought there would be abundance of room. It was further decided that there should be a celebration of the Holy Communion, at St. Paul’s Church, at S a.m on the day o£meetiug. and a special evening service at 5 p.m., and that the Synod should meet at 7,30 p.m. for the necessary notices of motion to be given. The election of Primate will take place on the following (Thursday), and if practicable also the confirmation of Archdeacon Julius’ election to the Christchurch bishopric, so that Northern members may be able to leave by Friday’s through train, and Southern members by Friday afternoon’s steamer. A special meeting of the Wellington Standing Committee was held on Monday afternoon, the Bishop (in the chair), the Archdeacon, the Chancellor, the Rev. J. Jones, Messrs K. Wilson, J, W\A. Marchant, and C. Rous Marten being present. It was agreed that the Diocesan Library should be used for the General Synod’s session, and the Bishop, the Archdeacon, the Chancellor, and Mr Rous Marten were appointed a Bub-committeß to arrange for the reception and entertainment of the members.