DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 114, 19 June 1914, Page 8

DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE.

At the last meeting of the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod, the Bishop announced that the Rev. C. G. Mutter had accepted his offer of the double position of Diocesan Missioner and organising secretary of the Church Mission Fund, on the understanding that he would take up the duties thereof on the termination of his engagement with the Vicar of St. Michael's. The cure of Leeston would shortly be filled by the appointment of the Rev. Percy T. Jones, 8.A., now Vicar of Gladstone, Southland. He 'had not yet been able to find a vicar for the cure of Banks Peninsula North. His Lordship read a report by the Rev. Goldthorpe of his work at Makaroa, and a report by the Rev. A. Hore, of his work as chaplain of the public institutions, Hokitika. It would be necessary to make adequate provision for the visitation of the Christchurch Consumption Hospitals. A deputation from the vestry, Woolston, in reference to the steps to be taken through the serious condition of the church building there, was received. Mr W. C. Bean and Mr P. H. Cox were appointed to meet the parishioners, with the Bishop, for conference on the matter.

Mr W. H. Hargreaves wrote on the subject of provision for retiring Deans. His letter was referred to a committee previously appointed by the Church Property Trustees to consider the necessary action and report. A report by the sub-committee for Church. Missions was read and adopted, certain details of the commemoration of the Marsden Centenary to be further considered, and the committee to take the necessary action. The Rev. Canon Purchas having stated that he was unable to accept the temporary appointment to organise the Church Mission Fund, the work was undertaken at the request of the Standing Committee by the Rev. Canon Hamilton. The Rev. Canon W. S. Bean was appointed, subject to his consent, a member of the Standing Committee, vice Archdeacon Ensor, resigned. The Chancellor's report on the suggestions made for the appointment of trustees of the Ellice (Rangiora) endowment, was read, and he was requested to take charge of the matter in Synod. Archdeacon Gosset and Mr W. G. Brittan were requested to report on the matter of surplice fees paid over by a vicar not a member of the Clergy Pension Fund. Permission was given, subject to the consent of the Church Property Trustees, for the sale of one rood of the frontage of the vicarage site, Papanui.

The solicitors to the executors of the late Mrs Townend wrote, stating that the deceased lady had bequeathed the sum of £SOOO to the Church Property Trustees, the interest thereof to be expended in increasing stipends of clergy in the archdeaconry of Christchurch which are below £;>00 per annum. The parishioners of Rakaia applied for permission to sell the present vicarage and site, with the view of building near the church. It was recolved to ask for further particulars of the proposal. A removal grant for expenses incurred within the diocese (£7 14/9), was made to the new vicar of Fairlie. The sub-committee on the proposed pension fund regulations presented an interim report. —To be considered at the next meeting. Mr William Jameson was appointed auditor of the diocesan accounts (1913-14). It was agreed to hold a special meeting to allot the Church Property Trust subsidy and the Church Mission Fund for the current year on Tuesday, July 2, at 7.30 p.m. The . churchwardens, Shirley, wrote, on the subject of their guarantee for the year. Advances of stipend and balances were reported by the treasurer, and the Standing Committee adjourned.