Anglican Synod.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5207, 13 February 1892, Page 1

Anglican Synod.

ANOTHER SCENE. (by- telegraph.) Wellington, February 12. When the Synod met this afternoon the Primate apologised for having been hasty the previous evening in stopping the Rev. H. R. fitchett (Dunedin) without letting liini say distinctly what the subject he was about to bring before the Synod was. The conduct, on his part arose from the fact that before he entered the building he heard what that subject would be, and was therefore anxious that it should not come before the Synod. While admitting his haste, ho held he had a statutory right to do what he did, and he had received a telegram from Sir M. O'Rorke confirming him in that opinion. Mr Fitchett then asked whether his Lordship would permit him to make a statement to the Synod, but was informed that he could not do so unless it was on a personal matter. The Bishop of Dunedin commenced to make some remarks on the matter, when the Primate peremptorily asked him to resume liis seat. Bishop Nevill said he should not sit down until he had said what he had to say, but upon the Primate repeating his order, and cries of " Shame " proceeding from some of the Synodsmen, the Bishop said he would obey the ruling of the chair, although at the same time he thought he had a grievance. A sharp passage-at-arms then occurred between the Primate and Mr Fitchett, during which the latter was repeatedly ordered to sit down. Eventually Mi' Fitchett moved the adjournment of the Synod til l 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Again and again he attempted to justify his conduct in sticking to his point, and again aad again the Primate interrupted him on the ground that he was not speaking to the adjournment. At last he rose to leave the chair, as he had several times threatened to do. The Rev. Mr Coffey (Wellington) hoped his Lordship would not take such a course, and his Lordship resuming his seat some of the synodsmen expressed their views of what had occurred. The Bishop of Christchurch remarked that he was sure what had happened would be a heavy loss to the Church, and he hoped for the interests of all that matters would now proceed quietly. Mr James Allen (Dunedin) thought they were merely "affording sport to the Philistines " by acting in such a manner. Archdeacon Mules (Nelson) moved as an amendment, which was seconded by the Bishop of Christchurch, that the Synod adjourn till 7.30 the same evening, and Mr Fitchett withdrew his original resolution in favor of it. On a division to adjourn, the amendment was lost by 20 to 19, and the business was proceeded with.