ANGLICAN SYNOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23006, 8 October 1936, Page 7

ANGLICAN SYNOD

YESTERDAY'S SESSIONS The twenty-fourth 'synod of the diocese of Dunedin was continued yesterday in St. Paul's Schoolroom, Bishop Fitchett presiding. DEVOTIONS IN SCHOOLS Discussion was resumed on the report of the Social Questions Committee, Dean Cruickshank seconding a motion by the Rev. A. B. Pywell, convener of the committee—" That the synod expresses appreciation of the privilege granted by the Otago Education Board for the opening of school daily with devotional exercises, and recommends clergy to take advantage of this wherever possible," The scheme, said Dean Cruickshank, was independent of the Bible-in Schools League, the idea having originated in Wanganui. The result was that it was now open to any of them to apply to a school committee for devotional exercises each morning. If any teacher, objected 'to the service his objection would be noted and all rationalistic scruples observed. Their best policy was to do the work quietly and not to beat drums, as it were.

"It is one of the greatest victories in the annals of education," continued the dean, "and it appears that within the last month or two we have realised something for which we have been fighting for years." A service of an undenominational character had been drawn up, which, while he was not wedded to it, he believed would suit the purpose admirably. A great advance had been made, and they should express gratitude to the Otago Education Board. He suggested, however, that they should all remember that the clergy went into the schools by courtesy of the board, and the teachers would be watching carefully. The whole scheme was voluntary, and was tantamount to family prayers in all the schools throughout the land. " Personally," he concluded. "I think it is a wonderful victory, and we should do our best to see that the benefits of the scheme are used to the, utmost." 'The motion was carried. STANDING COMMITTEE ELECTION .The Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers moved—" That this synod (a) considers that it is desirable that the Standing Committee of each diocese should be elected at the first session of each diocesan synod lor a period of three years, instead of being elected annually, and accordingly (b) instructs its representatives to General Synod to prepare a bill for introduction at the next meeting of General Synod or to support any bill for the purpose introduced there, to effect the necessary amendment to title B, canon 11, clause 13. of the Canons."

Explaining the motion Mr CurzonSiggers said that he had been asked to bring it forward by the Standing Committee. The second portion gave the machinery to carry out the first part if it were passed, The argument was that there were triennial elections of most of the other executive bodies in the diocese, and a committee elected for three years would have more continuity of purpose and a better knowledge of what was going on. The tedious time spent in ballots at each synod would also be avoided. Dean Cruickshank seconded the motion" pro forma, stating that it should be carefully considered, as it would be a serious matter to pass it without full discussion.

Bishop Fitchett said that, while he would like to see the abolition of ballots and a consequent waste of time, the matter had to be carefully considered. A newly-elected synod was not the best body to elect the Standing Committee for three years. Its report came before synod each year, and synod could elect another Standing Committee if it considered the year's work unsatisfactory. The motion was opposed by the Revs. I. L. Richards and J. A. Kempthorne, the latter stating that synod should have the right to elect the committee after its report had been discussed. Mr L. Deans Ritchie said that the motion had been brought forward by the Standing Committee on behalf of the Nelson diocese, to obtain the will of the synod so that its representatives to General Synod should have some lead. The motion was lost.

POWER OF SALE The Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers moved—" That this synod (a) considers that it is desirable that each diocesan synod should have power to delegate to its Standing Committee the power of sale, exchange, or mortgage of lands held in trust for the synod at present vested in the synod, as has been already permitted in the case of ' granted hereditaments' by title F. Canon IV of General Synod, and accordingly (b) requests its representatives to General Synod to bring before General Synod at is next meeting a proposal to procure the amendment of the Church of England Trust Act, 1913, to permit of such delegation, or to support any proposal introduced to General Synod for that purpose." The mover explained the legal position under the Church of England Trusts Act, 1913, stating that if the Standing Committee had such powers as asked for in the resolution it would be able to take advantage of any offers during the year, as it could be called together at a moment's notice. It was a desirable provision. Dean Cruickshank, who seconded the motion, said that the Standing Committee was a much more suitable body to consider land transactions than synod. The Rev. J. N. Thompson: It seems to me we are delegating aH our powers to the Standing Committee. The Revs. W. A. Hamblett and I. L. Richards supported the motion, the Rev. Mr Pywell considering that in some instances it would be wise for synod to have some say. The first part of the motion was carried, the second being withdrawn. SELWYN COLLEGE BOARD In the absence of Archdeacon Whitehead, Archdeacon Button submitted the annual report of the Selwyn College Board, which stated: There are 60 students in residence, four of them are theological, 49 medical, 6 dental and 1 law student. There are two extra mural theological students. One theological student qualified by passing in Grade 111 for ordination at the end of 1935. Owing to there being no vacancy in this diocese, he was permitted to go to Christchurch for ordination. Two students qualified last March in the new preliminary examination for the Board of Theological Studies. One theological student obtained his B.A. in 1935. Of the four resident theological students one is studying for Grades I and 11, two for sections of the 8.A., and one for the M.A. As far as can be ascertained, the new Government legislation does not appear to affect thjs college directly, but it does so indirectly and to so considerable an extent that unless some further financial support is forthcoming the chances of the college remaining open as a hostel next year will be jeopardised. Full details of these difficulties will be laid before the board at its next meeting. The students, under the leadership of the president, have done excellent work this year in improving the grounds of the college. The general improvement in the quadrangle calls for rejuvenation of the lawn tennis court, which for lack of funds has been allowed to deteriorate very seriously. The new arrangement by. which All Saints' Church and Selwyn are under control has worked very well. Archdeacon Button said that the position of the college, owing to Government legislation, was a serious one, but he hoped that sufficient support would be forthcoming to enable the college to carry on next year. It might possibly be crippled in its usefulness both as a hostel and a training ground. Canon Small seconded the motion for adoption. The Rev. W.. A. Hamblett said that the point regarding the effect of Government legislation was a bare statement of a startling fact, and asked for further details. On the motion of the Dean, the debate on the report was postponed, and was- resumed at the evening session, discussion being taken in committee. The report was received. BOUNDARIES COMMISSION The Rev. J. N. Thompson moved—- " That this synod confirms the policy of the Boundaries Commission in endeavouring to enlarge the boundaries of the parishes and parochial districts. On the suggestion of Bishop Fitchett the word " confirms " was deleted, and the words "notes with satisfaction" substituted. General satisfaction was expressed with the work of the Boundaries Commission, the motion being carried. MOTIONS OF APPRECIATION Mr Edward Laley moved—" That this synod place on record its appreciation of the many services rendered to the church by the late Mr Robert Ainsworth Ward during the years he served on the vestry at Port Chalmers as vicar's warden, and this synod extends their sympathy to Mrs Ward and family in their great loss."—-The motion was seconded by the Rev. A. B. Pywell, and carried in silence. The Rev. J. N. Thompson moved—- " That the synod expresses its sympathy with Mr Joseph Stewart Brooks, of Lawrence, in his recent illness and consequent absence from synod, and expresses its appreciation of his long years of faithful service as synodman for Tuapeka parish."—Carried. EVENING SESSION SELWYN, COLLEGE STATUTE Mr J. T. Dawson moved the second reading of the bill to amend the Selwyn College Statute, 1927. In 1927, said Mr Dawson, a statute was passed constituting a board of governors Cf the college. Its powers were governed by statute, but it semed desirable that it should be incorporated. The statute was permissive, and the bill was merely giving power to the board to become incorporated when it was thought expedient. Mr W. E. Earnshaw seconded the motion. Archdeacon Whitehead said that thei;e were certain financial difficulties in connection with the college, which the board considered could better be dealt with if-it was an'incorporated body. The bill was read a second time and passed through the committee stages. The third reading was made an order for to-day. SALE OF PROPERTY On the motion of the Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers, permission was given to the Winton Church Committee to sell the vicarage and site, provided that the Trust Board and Standing Committee were satisfied as to the price and conditions of sale. STANDING COMMITTEE The Standing Committee was elected as follows: —Archdeacon A. C. H. Button, Dean Cruickshank, Archdeacon J. A. Lush, the Rev. W. A. CurzonSiggers, Archdeacon J. D. Russell, Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead, and Messrs A. H. Allen, J. T. Dawson, W. E. Earnshaw, G. R. Ritchie, L. D. Ritchie, A. T. Newman, and P. J. Priest. GENERAL SYNOD The following were elected as representatives to General Synod:—Archdeacons Whitehead and Lush, the Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers, and Messrs J. T. Dawson, A. F. Cheyne, P. J. Priest, and W. J. Strong. PENSION BOARD The following were appointed members of the Pension Board:—Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead, the Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers, the Rev. W. A. Hamblett, and Messrs J. T. Dawson, W. E. Earnshaw. P. J. Priest, and L. D. Ritchie.