DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1928, 2 November 1888, Page 17

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The Anglican Synod for the diocese of Dunedin commenced its session in St. Matthew's schoolroom on Tuesday affceruoou. Present { Clergy— Tho Yen. Archdeacon Stoclcer (prcsid-. ing), Rev. Dr Belcher, Yen. Archdeacons Edwards and Fonton ; Revs. A. R. Fitchett, R. A. Kerkham, W. Ronaldson, A. C. Yorke, G. Fynes-Cliuton, D. O. Hampton, John Hobbs, Quartus Bacon, T. F. Dndd, F. O. Platts, W. Cruden, B. M. King, H. C. Frere, — Blathwayt, % F. B Watson, H. J. Divis L<\ity — Messrs E. E. C. Quick, G. H. Ashcrof fc, A. D. Luhecki, W. Black, H. Mander, G. A. Reado, S. Brent, General Fulton, G. G. Russell, G Bridge, G. S. Brodrick, H. King, R H. Leary, H. J. Ainger, J. U. Hooper, James Ashcroffe, E. H. Cogan, J. Allen, M.H.R., G. Joachim, W. H. Churton, J. G. Archer, D. Brent, H. Orbell, C. H. Statham. The Bishop's commision to the Yen. Archdeacon Stocker, authorising him to act as president of the' synod, was read by Dr Belcher. COMMISSAItr's REPORT. The Rev. Dr Belcher, as bishop's commissary read the following report :— According to custom, I desire to bring under your notice auoh events as have transpired eince the last meeting of synod. The first event of importance was the institution to the clnrge of the parish of Sb. Matthew's, after duo nomination, of the Eev. A. C. Yorke, which took place just before last Advent. On the Fourth Sunday in Advent Jasfc year the first portion of the Permanent Church of St. John 8, Invercargill, was opened for Divine service, and on tha same day a small building erected for church purposes at Clifton, near Invercargill, and which is also under the charge of the Yen. Archceacon Stockcr, was used for the fint timo. On St. Paul's Day, January 25, Mr H. C. Frere, who had for some considerable period done valuable work afc St. Matthew's, was ordain'd deacon, and the Revs W. Blathwayt and F. E. Watson wore admitled to the priesthood. The first named of these gentlemen lias for many years done a large amount of work among the Maoris at "uketeraki.and hasalso rendered great and valunb'e assistance to the incumbent of Waikouaiti and Paltnerston. Mr Watson was formerly assistant curate at Hoslyn, and has since the end of January taken charge of the parish of Caversham on the vacation of that cure by the Bey. W. Honaldson. The Bey. A. B. Kerkham 'returned from England and resumed his work at Boslyn about the beginning Eftrly Iv March the Bishop of the dioceso left New

Zealand for the purpose of attending the PanAnglican Conference at Lambeth. He purposes returning early next year. On the 13th of May the Key. F. J. B. Parkes left Waikouaiti, and after a considerable amount of trouble and correspondence with various clergymen, I appointed the Rev. H. C- Frere to take temporary charge of ' his parish. Mr Frere was to have been placed in the Upper Waitakl district, but owing to the absence in England of the Hon. R. Campbell the arrangements, pecuniary and otherwise, are at present in abeyance. In July a new schoolroom was opened in the main street at Waikonaiti, mainly through the energy of Mr Davis. The Rev. C. J. "R. Richardson has resigned the charge of Gladstone wi'h Riverton, &c. and I am now in communication with the Rev. W. Blathwayt with a view to his settlement there. The Rev. W. Ronaldson has continued during the year his work as shaplain to the hospital and other public institutions, and will Bubmit his own report to the synod. The key. H. M. King continues to act as theological tutor, and to take charge of St. Martin's Church, North-East Valley. I was very plea«ed to observe on a recent visit to Milton that Mr Pinch still continues his loving care for the gardens attached to the church and parsonage. During the year a Sunday School Union has been established for the city and suburban parishes, at the quarterly meetings of which some useful work has been done. The following gentlemen have been licensed as lay readers, to officiate in the parishes and districts opposite their names :— George Akehuwt (Kiverton), George Blathwayt (for the Maoris), Aliine Wayte (Gore and Mandevillo), Joseph Southwick (Duntroon), G. A. Tapper (Gore). APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS, ETC. The following appointments were made: — Clerical secretary to the synod, the Rev. W. Ronaldson; lay secretary, Mr James Allen; chairman of committees, Mr R. H. Leary. NEW BILL. Standing orders were suspended in order to allow the the Rev. A R. Fitchett to introduce a bill to amend the regulation of parishes statute 1881. In moving the first reading Mr Fitchett stated that the bill had been prepared by the direction of the Standing Committee, and he brought it in at their request. The second reading of the bill was made an order for the following day.