SOCIAL GATHERING.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 1004, 25 February 1871, Page 6

SOCIAL GATHERING.

The social gathering which took place on tha 17th inst. in the University Hall in connection with the General Synod of the Church of England was numerously attended. There were present — His LordBhip the Primate of New Zealand, the Bishop of Auckland, the Bishop of Wellington, the Bishop of Nelson, the Bishop of Waiapu, and many of the clerical and lay members of the General Synod, as well as clergymen of other denominations. It is estimated that there sat down to tea about 600 persona, a great proportion of whom were ladies. The tables were presided over by ladies connected with the Church of England, who had kindly, given their services, and thereby contributed in a very great degree to the success of the gathering. The tables were so arranged as to leave ample space for an agreeable promenade, but this intention was ultimately to some extent frustrated by the crowded st&teof the HalL Aftertea, the RevMr Edwards introduced His LordBhip the Primate, and subsequently read an address, congratulating His Lordship on the very satisfactory manner in which the proceedings of the Synod had been conducted. In reply, His Lordship returned thanks on behalf of himself, the Bishops, and the other members of the Synod, for the kind reception and treatment they had experienced during their stay in Dunedin, and concluded by referring to various matters connected with the Church.

The Bishop of Nelson also delivered a very interesting address, devoted chiefly to some of the more prominent questions which had been under the consideration of the Synod. He also referred to the correspondence which had passed between the Bishops and the Rev. Mr Stuart, his remarks being intended to disabuse the minds of many of an impression that the Bishops had not accepted the invitation, owing to their cherishing a feeling of exdusiveness. The Church of which they are the heads was as yet In its infancy, and the time would come when the course taken by them would be justified. The Bishop of Waiapu delivered an address regarding the progresses which had been made by Ministers of the Gospel among the natives from the year 1815 to the present time. An address concerning the Melanesian Mission waa delivered by the Bishop of Auokland;

and the assemblage was afterwards addressed by the Rev. D. M. Stuart. The Battalion Band played at in f ervals during the evening, and the efforts of Mr Hudson, the caterer, could not, and did not, fail to give great satisfaction. The proceeds of the gathering are to be devoted in aid of the Benevolent Institution.