WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3783, 4 July 1899, Page 3

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Diocesan Synod sat yesterday NOTICES OF MOTION.

The following notices of motion were given: ' . Archdeacpn Towgood, “That this Synod suggests to the clergy of the parishes and parochial districts of the diocese that it would he well for them to make such arrangements as they may think best in their respective cures for giving assistance to St. Mary’s Home.” Mr J. C. Andrew, “That it be a rtcomrrmndation to the General Synod that title B, canon 2, clause 14, be amended by the addition of the following words ; ‘ Provided that in flic election of officers of any Diocesan Synod if no candidate obtains a majority of votes from each order the election shall be postponed till next sitting. At such next sitting the election shall be held, and if no candidate obtains a majority of votes from each order, tho candidate that obtains a majority of voles cast (irrespective of orders) may, with th; consent of the president, be declared elected. and in the event of a tie, the election shall be decided on the easting vote of the president.’” Mr H. S. MeKellar, “That" there be prepared and published annually with the proceedings of Synod a list ot all churches and other places where churches are held in this diocese.” Mr H. S. MeKellar, “That all special offertories shall be deemed to be receipts in trust for payment to the treasurers of the several funds lor which they have been collected, within the week following each collection.” Rev Wyndham Earee, “ That this Synod respectfully requests the Lord Bishop to consider the question of granting to every layman licensed to act as a lay reader, together with such license, a tippit, to be worn by him when conducting divine service.” BOOKS FOR THE DIOCESAN LIBRARY. Rev F. G. Masters moved, “ That it bo a recommendation to the Finance Committee to place on the estimates a sum for the purchase of books for the Diocesan Synod.” He asked that official recognition should be given by the Synod to the library, which was verv useful, especially to clerical visitors to Wellington and to lay readers. The motion was carried on the voices. A GRANT IN AID. Rev C. C. Harper (Patea) moved, “That this Synod requests that the alms collected at the offertory on Day of Intercession for Foreign Missions he devoted to the Society lor Promoting Christian Knowledge.” He spoke in warm terms of the generosity of the society towards the churches. The motion was carried on tile voices. Dr Fyffe moved, “That it he a direction from the Synod to the vestries of the diocese that one collection during the year be put aside, for the use of the choir of each church, in order to- provide for music or such expenses as the choir may incur in the service of the church.” Rev P. C. W. Earee seconded the motion, and spoke of the difficulties country churches had in procuring music for choir use. Archdeacon Towgood was afraid the vestries won... resent a direction of this kind. ' Several members of the Synod supported this view, and pointed out that it was unconstitutional. Eventually the motion was withdrawn. A DELICATE QUESTION. Mr F. V. Waters moved, “That this Synod recommend to the attention of the. General Synod the desirableness of changing the mbd© of administering tho second element in the office of the Holy Communion, the present practice of more than one person drinlpng from the same vessel contravening commonly known laws of health.” Rev R. Coffey entered a preliminary objection that the motion,' if affirmed, would bo contrary to the rubric, and therefore illegal. The President could nob agree witlr this view.

Mr Waters, speaking to the motion, said he advocated the reform suggested in his motion on the ground of cleanliness and" health.

The motion found no seconder, and the announcement of this fact was received with applause, which was promptly suppressed on the request, “No. applause, please,” from Bishop Wallis. The President said he would take upon himself the responsibility of permitting any clergyman who desired it, and who applied to him, to j use a cloth to wipe the chalice. He hoped he would not often bo asked, owing to the prejudice which the innovation might create. But there were reasons, such, as the prevalence of consumption in a neighbourhood, which might, make the use of a chalice cloth desirable.

Dr Fyfl'e suggested that the Press should not billy report the remarks of the, mover. (Applause.) The President : Yes, I agree with that. Quite the right thing to have said. I think the reporters might adopt the suggestion. AN ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION. Mr R. Wilberfoss moved, “That it is desirable to affirm the principle that all parishes and parochial districts be assessed and the assessments .paid into a. diocesan fund.” . '

This having been agreed to, Mr Wilberfoss further moved, “That a. 1 committee be appointed to inquire into the organisation of the General Church Fund, and also all funds and trusts under the control of this Synod, with power to call for all hooks, papers and documents, to examine diocesan officers and officials, and to present its report at the next, session of Synod; the following to bo the committee: — Hon Arkwright, Messrs T. F. Martin, J. M. Baker, ” G. Anderson, G. Wheeler, T. W. Pilcher, and the mover.” In speaking to the motion Mr Wilberfoss advocated that, the church fund should he controlled by an executive assisted by an accountant. He thought that in this way the accounts would be more effectively presented, and a considerable saving effected. A long debate followed, in the course of which it transpired that although ■there was some dissatisfaction with details of administration, there was an emphatic desire not to interfere with the administrative personnel. Mr Wilberfoss eventually offered to withdraw his motion, but the President decided to put it to the vote, with the result that it was declared lost on the voices. SECRETARIAL EXPENSES. Rev T. B. Maclean moved, “That the sum of £l5O ho assessed by the Standing Committee on the various parishes, and parochial and missionary districts in proportion to income in part payment r,f the secretarial expenses of the diocese.” Lost nn the voices.