ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11277, 22 November 1898, Page 7

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

The second session of the eleventh synod of the Diocese of Dunedin, which commenced at St. Paul's Schoolroom on the 24th ult., as reported in our last summary, was continued on the following days. The following, among other business, was transacted: — „, . Dean Fitchett brought up the report of the Dean and Chapter of" St. Paul's Cathedral.' 'This stated that although at .the date.of the annual balance sheet accompanying the report the receipts showed an excess over expenditure of £24-Is Id, there remained accounts unpaid to the amount of £(A 10s. The net result was therefore, a deficit on the year's accounts of £40 8s lid. As, however, two or three large subscriptions promised for a term ceased this year, the deficiency was not unexpected. During the year the sum of £750, accumulated sinking fund held by the Diocesan Trust Board on behalf of St. Paul's, had been applied to the paying off of debentures. The remaining debentures were called in and reissued at a lower rate of interest. .These changes had effected a reduction of £80 in the annual interest charges, and the financial position was to that extent improved. The debt now stood at £2810. It was to be noted that to the subscriptions in aid of maintenance, amounting to £275, the bishop had contributed £100, and the Ladies' Guild £70. Two debenture-holders—the late Archdeacon Fenton and Mrs Jones, of Port Chalmers, each surrendered debentures for £20. Another de-benture-holder returned £50 interest. Those generous benefactions the chapter had suitably acknowledged. Mr 0. H. Statham was appointed diocesan treasurer and secretary for the ensuing year. . Messrs E. A. Cbgan and T. S. Graham were appointed diocesan auditors. It was decided that .they receive a fee of £5 5s for their services. . The Rev. W. Curzon-Siggers moved— '"That this synod places on record its sense of the great loss to this dipcese occasioned by the death of that wise and good man, the A Ten. Archdeacon Fenton, .M.A., and requests the president to convey this resolution with the expression of its, respectful sympathy to his widow and family." . • "'..'., ,' • : : The motion was carried. ■ ■ Doan Fitchott laid on the table the report of the See^House Committee, which stated: —' .The committee appointed by the synod last session has been assisted in its work by another committee chosen at a meeting of clergy and laymen from the city and suburban parishes, the object being to raise by voluntary contributions the sum of £1500, to meet a corresponding sum granted conditionally by English societies for a see house. The committee had to report that the amount paid or promised up to October 25 was about £1100. This iii- ■ chides £391 2s paid direct to'the treasurer by individual contributors. With reference to the sum of £400 still needed, a committee was appointed to make strenuous efforts throughout the diocese to complete the required amount of £1500 by December 31. • ■ Archdeacon Robinson' read the report of | the Board of Missions. The board recorded i with much regret the death of the "Veil. J. A. Fenton, its earnest and able secretary since 1892, and also the loss sustained by the dapirture from tho diocese of the Rev. Wyntor Blathwayt, whose zeal and persevering efforts during many years for the evangelisation of the MaorisWere well known. Tho receipts for the Melanesia-n/Mission, though, less than last year, were encouraging. • The sum of £224- 6s 7d had been received as tho result of offertories from Sunday school contributions, mission boxes,, donations, and j through'the agencies of the St. Barnabas. As- ■

sociation?. The sum of £195 2s 4d,liad been forwarded to' headquarters, leaving a balance in hand, after paying expenses, of £27 0s 3d. The offertories on behalf of the Maori missions were generally in the diocese very few and very small. The total receipts for Ilia. missions for the year were £26' 2s 3d, and of this amount £20 was furnished from the general church funds. In regard to Otago Heads and the Kaik, Capon Richards reported that fortnightly services had been held. The congregations had, numbered from 25 to 40. A Sunday school of about 30 children had been held every Sunday, afternoon. . Canon Lucas reported with regard to Puketor'aki that services had been held regularly every Sunday .afternoon. "Seven infants had been baptised, and interest in church matters had been well sustained. : Church work at Moeraki Kaik was in abbyanco since the -resignation of the Rev. -Wynter Blathwayt,' and the same niust be said of the work at Colac Bay owing to want of funds and of an agent. The sum of £11 4s still Btood to the credit of the Chinese missions, and the committee recommended that tho amount bo held in trust, pending an opportunity for its suitable employment in the diocese. The contributions to the Melanesian mission were comprised 'as'follows: —General offertories. £64 13s 5d ;. Sunday schools, £50 12s :3d; St. Barnabas associations, £58 12s 4d; mission boxes, £20 18s lOd; donations,. £24 9s; proceeds Bishop of Melanesia's lecture. ; £5 0s 9d. ....-: :. , The report was adopted, and ordered to be printed. ~-':.., ...... -.'•.■-■