Tuesday, 14th February.

Otago Witness, Issue 1003, 18 February 1871, Page 9

Tuesday, 14th February.

DIOCESAN BOARDS.

The Bishop of Nelson moved—" That the Bill for Establishing Diocesan Boards for the purpose of considering the general fitness for the ministry of candidates for ordination, be read a second time and considered in Committee."

The Bill was read a second time and discussed.

PUBLIC ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.

Archdeacon Harper moved—" That inasmuch as it is understood that the subject of public elementary education is under the consideration of the General Government, thia Synod expresses its hope that any education measure that may be introduced will include (a) recognition and aid of denominational schools whereever they be found to satisfy Government requirements with regard to numbers, discipline, and secular instruction; (6) recognition ef the practice of reading Holy Scripture, and of daily prayer in Government schools. And, further, that it be an instruction to the Standing Committee of the General Synod to take the necessary steps for bringing the foregoing resolutions under the consideration of the General Assembly at its next session." Archdeacon Harper spoke at some length in favour of the motion. Ec said there was solid ground for discussing the subject, and he hoped that the Government of this colony would acquiesce in the views which they might put forth in favour of religious instruction in the public schools. After a lengthy discussion, the first clause was adopted, and the secoud clause (6) was amended, as follows : — " That permission be given, where Local Boards require it, to read the Scriptures and use daily prayer ; and that a Committee be appointed, composed of the Bishopß of Wellington and Nelson, Archdeacon Harper and Mr Hunter Brown, to draw up a petition embodying the sense of the above resolution ; and also that the Boards of the several Dioceses be requested to co-operate with the members of the Synod."

SUBDIVISION OF DIOCESES.

The Bill for regulating the subdivision of Dioceses, the alteration of the boundaries of Dioceses, the Cons'itution of new Bishoprics, and the mode of appointing Bishops, was considered in Committee.