GENERAL ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4664, 29 January 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ANGLICAN SYNOD.

[By Telegkath.]

Nelson, January 27th. The Synod met yesterday at 4 p.m. The Bishop ot Auckland presented a memorial from that diocese, in reference to the Formularies Alteration Bill, to the effect that no alterations be made by the Synod until a legal opinion should be obtained that it possessed the legal authority so to do. Mr Rous Marten presented a petition from parishioners of St. Peter's, Wellington, for power to mortgage the parsonage for LIOOO. The memorial and petition were received. .. Archdeacon Maunsell moved—-" That every speaker, -ft hen moving a resolution, be restricted to 20 minutes: every subsequent speaker to 15 minutes ; but the Synod in either case to be empowered to grant an exception by vote.". . ;.. Mr Carleton seconded the motion. After some debate, the motion was put and lost. . , ■ . Archdeacon Stock moved—:" That the minutes of proceedings of Synod in Committee be only read to the Synod on the next day." The motion was agreed to. The Bishop of Auckland moved—" That tho Rev. John Richardson Selwyn be appointed to the vacant Bishoprio of Melanesia, as recommended by the members of the mission." The Rev. Mr Jackson, of the Melanesian mission, seconded the motion. Bishop Selwyn was unanimously elected. The General Synod met on Frida^ at .7,30. On the motion of the Dean of Christcnurch a select committee was appointed to digest and arrange for the information of the Synod a recommendation made by the several diocesan synods with reference to statute No. 5, for appointment of pastors to parishes, and that they be requested to prepare a draft of an amended statute, or to suggest such other course as may seem desirable, with the view of preparing the way for legislation by the Synod on the subject in the present session ; and that the following members be a committee:—Bishops of Nelson and Dunedin, Archdeacon Williams, Rev. J. Leighton, R. Blusk, Seymour, and the mover. On the motion of the Bishjp of Nelson a select committee was appointed to consider the reports of the Board of Theological Studies and the working of statute No. 17 ;. also to report on the supply of candidates for holy orders, and the present means of providing for their calling. The committee to consist of the Bishop and Dean of dirktchurch, Archdeacons Williams, .Maunsell, Stock, Harper, Rev. B. W. Harvey, and Carleton. The Rev. J. Leighton moved that it be an instruction to the Printing Committee with permission of the respective bishops to append a, report of Synod, list of the clergy of the various dioceses, title of cures, and the date of appointment. Agreed to. . Archdeacon Maunsell moved —"That a Committee be appointed to examine the accounts and reports of the several Trust Boards under the ccntrol of the Synod, and to consider generally the state in which properties are, and the way in which they &v, administered, the Committee to consist of the Primate, Bishop of Auckland, Archdeacons Williams and Stock, Hauiner, Hunter, Brown, Quick, and the mover." Agreed to. The Bishop of Auckland moved—"That a Committee be appointed, to be called 'the Committee on Statutes, Standing Orders, and Resolutions,' and that their duty be to consider any statutes, resolutions, and standing orders which nay be specially referred to them, either in whole or in part, and also to consider whether any other alterations or additions are required in any statutes, standing orders, or resolutions. That the Committee consist of Archdeacons Stock aud Williams, and Messrs Hanmer, Quick, and tJie mover." The Rev. E. Williams's motion —" That after j the eighth day of sitting of Synod, no notice of motion be received," was ruled out of order. In reply to Acton Adams, the President declared this meeting of Synod of branch of Church of England in New Zealand to be according to the Constitution.

Leave was Riven to the Dean of Christchurch to bring in a Bill for determining who are communicants.

Mr Lingard pointed out that the Rubric already settled the question. Archdeacon Harper moved—" That whereas the Synod at last session directed that a Bill entitled 'Alteration of Formularies Bill' should be made known to the several Diocesan Synods for the purpose if eliciting an expression of opinion thereupon, and requested the Primate to bring the matter before the next triennial meeting for General Synod as nearly as possible as first business ; and whereas the Diocesan Synods have severally expressed opinions thereupon, and have requested that the same should be submitted to the Gensral Synod, that it h expedient that a Select Committee should be appointed to digest and arrange such opinions and suggestions for the information of Synod, and to report as to the best course to be taken as regards legislation on the subject in the present session. Committee to consist of Bishop of Auckland, Bishop of Wellington, Dean of Chr>stchuroh, Messrs Hunter, Brown, Acton Adams, Fell, and the mover." He spoke at some length, entering into the whole question of the autonomy of the New Zealand Church, which he contended had been forced upon them by the action of the mother Church, and not sought by Colonial Churchmen. He argued, therefore, that as the Church was free they should take measures, now no party feeling or excitement existed, to guard against the possibility of any future changes being made rashly or without due consideration.

The Rev. Mr Jackson seconded pro forma. Mr Carleton moved as an amendment —"That the Committee should only prepare a digest, without expressing any opinion on the main question." Archdeacon Maunsell condemned the question being raised so early and by a side wind.

After a lengthy discussion, the amendment was put and lost. Ayes: 5 clergy, 10 laity. Noes : 5 bishops, 7 clergy, 5 laity. The original motion was then put, and also lost Ayes: 5 bishops, 6 clergy, 3 laity. Noes: 6 clergy, 12 laity. After some other formal business, ntteen notices of motion having been given for the next session, the Synod adjourned at 11 p.m., until Monday at 4 p.m. Archdeacon Harper has given notice to move on Wednesday for leave to introduce a Bill intituled a " Statute to limit, and define the power of the General Synod in reference to alterations of servioes, formularies, and articles of Church, and authorised version of Holy Scriptures, and to settle the mode of procedure in reference thereto." On this will arise the principal debate of the session.