ANGLICAN CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 5

ANGLICAN CHURCH

DIOCESAN SYNOD YESTERDAY'S SESSION The second session of the twenty-third synod of the Diocese of Diinedin was continued yesterday in St. Paul's Schoolroom, Bishop Fitchett presiding as chief administrator of the diocese. FINANCIAL Mr W. E. Earnshaw, in touching on the reports and accounts of the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Pension Board, said that the accounts in the main were very satisfactory, and showed an increased interest in the diocese in con nection with these funds. The discussion on the reports and accounts was taken in committee. The discussion dealt with the upkeep of vicarage grounds, etc., and the manner in which the cost should be allotted, the Diocesan Endowment Fund, appointments to fill vacancies on various bodies, the diocesan accounts, the assessment account, and various other financial activities. The report of the Standing Committee, with certain resolutions, was adopted. DIOCESAN PENSION BOARD The report of the Dunedin Diocesan Pension Board was as follows: — The Rev. YV. Hardy Johnson, on proceeding to England, left his interest in the fund. The Rev. A. R. Wallace left the diocese and withdrew his interest. The total number of subscribers on June 30, 193"), was 33. On the retirement of Canon Statham the following record was entered in the minutes:—"The Dunedin Diocesan Pension Board places on record its appreciation and recognition of the work done by Canon Statham as secretary to the board, both for the original Clergy, Widows and Orphans' Pension Fund and for the existing Clergy Pension and Accident Sickness Funds. They trust that in his retirement ho may be able to appreciate that leisure to which his previous activities have entitled him." Mr W. E. Earnshaw was appointed to represent the Pension Board on the proposed Diocesan Office Board. The Rev W. A. Hamblett having resigned from the board, Standing Committee appointed Archdeacon Whitehead in his place. The report was adopted. CLERGY PENSION FUND The report of the Clergy Pension Fund read as follows: The pensions paid for the year were: Clergy, £527 !)s 4d; widows, £321 !)s; children, £24 7s (id; total, £873 5s 10(1. Subscriptions for the year were £914 19s Id, against £933 5s last year. Clergy arrears were £4 and parochial arrears—--1931-33, £lB (since paid); 1933-34, £4; 1934-35, £57 0s 8d; total, £79 (is Bd. ' Withdrawals and refunds amounted to £2O. The capital account of the fund has been increased by £962 9s 8d (sur- | plus of income), £43 15s (surplus on investments), £73 4s 2d (Accident and Sickness Fund income), and £25 (donation). The Price bequest of £IOOO for the Clergy Pension Fund is now shown in the capital account, bringing the total at June 30, 1935, to £23,996 13s 3d. Interest on investments amounted to £lO4l lis 7d, which is very satisfactory considering the falling rate of i interest. j The report was adopted, |

ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS FUND No claims either on the fund or on the insurance company were made during the year. The insurance premium for the year was considerably reduced through the " bonus" year for those who had been five years in the fund without claim. The capital account of the fund has been increased by £73 4s 2d, surplus from income account, and now stands at £lll2 4s lid. The report was adopted TRUST BOARD The report of the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board was presented by Mr G. R. Ritchie. Their total funds, he said, now stood at £121,593. The report read as follows: Mr G. F. C. Tanner resigned his seat on the board owing to his removal to Invercargill. His resignation was received with regret. Mr W. Morrison was appointed a member of the board to replace Mr G. F. C. Tanner. Capital accounts have been increased by surplus on investments, by bequests, and by transfers from the diocese, Pension Board, and Orphanges Committee, the total sum now administered by the board having increased by £5029 to £121,593. Further reductions on conversion have been made, and fresh investments are difficult to obtain at more than 3$ per cent. St. Mary's Orphanage Property.—The gross price realised for the sale of the freehold was £IOOO, and for the furniture £3l 4s Cd. After deduction of costs and commission the balance of £972 14s 2d has been transferred to the capital of the St. Mary's Orphanage Trust. Stewart Island Vicarage.—This property was destroyed by fire in November, 1934. The insurance money (£200) has been capitalised as a new vicarage fund. Diocesan Office Board.—Messrs G. R. Ritchie and A. H. Allen were appointed to represent the Trust Board on the pro- I posed Diocesan Office Board. Charges.—ln spite of continued reductions in the rates of interest charges remain at 7 per cent. The report was adopted. CHURCH ENVOY A committee was set up to investigate the whole position of the Church Envoy and report to synod. The committee consisted of the following:—The Rev. J. N. Thompson, Mr W. E. Earnshaw, Mr A. Thorlcy, Mr C. R. Wilkinson, and Archdeacon Lush. MINUTE OF APPRECIATION On the motion of Mr W. E. Enrnshaw the following minute was passed:— That synod heartily endorses the minute of appreciation passed by Standing Committee in the retirement of the late diocesan registrar and places on record its high appreciation of the valuable services' rendered to the church of this province and dioces« by Canon I Charles I.ladfield Statham and wishes : him every happiness in his years of retirement. Canon Small spoke of the great work done by Canon Statham. His life had | been lived for the church. Mr D. Harris Hastings, the Rev. W. ! A. Hamblett, Mr L. D. Ritchie, and Bishop Fitchctt also eulogised the work of Canon Statham. Bishop Fitchctt said that he had never known anyone who was so truly a thorough Christian and gentleman. BIBLE CLASS UNION The Rev. A. B. Pywell moved as follows—That this synod heartily commends the work of the Di icesan Executive of the Anglican Boys' Bible Class Union in its efforts to maintain and extend the movement in parishes and districts within the diocese. Mr Pywell said that they desired the clergy and lay members throughout the ,

diocese to consider the opportunities that were provided in the Bible school movement for the education of the boys and girls and the building up of faith in the hearts and minds of their young people. Mr Pywell said that he was bringing forward the motion on behalf of the executive. He urged the assistance of all the clergy and the lay members to inaugurate branches in their districts. He thanked Dean Cruickshank for his assistance as the diocesan representative. They had all young people on the executive with the exception of the dean. — (Laughter.) Dean Cruickshank seconded the motion. He would ask them unhesitatingly to support the motion. He congratulated their president, Mr Geoff. Clarke, on the splendid work he was doing. Archdeacon Lush, in supporting the motion, held that the recreation side of life should not be considered to be divorced from religion. He himself was fond of dancing. — (Laughter.) Bishop Fitchctt commended the Bible class movement, but said they should see to it that it did not get beyond the control of the church. He thought it would be a great pity if the enthusiasm of their youth for the work was not to find an outlet. The movement, he reiterated, should, however, be properly supervised by the church. Other speakers spoke in support of the motion, which was carried unanimously. Dean Cruickshank having declined to continue as the representative of the diocese on the executive, the Rev. Eric G. Wilson was appointed in his place. The adjournment took place at 5.30 p.m. EVENING'S PROCEEDINGS The synod resumed at half-past 7. The greater part of the evening was occupied with the second reading of a Bill, moved by Mr W. E. Earushaw, to provide for the control of the diocesan office. | A commencement was then made with the second reading of a Bill, moved by the Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers, to amend I the Pension Fund Statute.