THE PRIMACY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6835, 24 April 1890, Page 3

THE PRIMACY.

o Election of tha Bishop of ; Wellington. i [Pkb Pp._Bs Association.] < WELLINGTON, April 24. The General Synod resumed its sittings this morning. The Bishop of Dunedin took exception to Bishop Suter being referred to in the minutes as President of the Synod, and pointed out that the more correct term, according to Canon 1., Title A, Clause 28. would be. " Primate for t_9 time heing." The minutes were altered accordingly. The Bishop of Auckland brought np the motion of which he had given notice, and the leave of the meeting was given him to alter the same by omitting the words, '* Pursuant to the provisions of the Canon for the appointment of a Primate." The ballot for the election of Primate was then proceeded with, and, on the suggestion of Bishop Suter, it was decided that, after it had been taken, details of the voting should he made known. Iq reply to a question, Bishop Suter Baid he had not the slighest doubt of the legal correctness of such steps. The Hon J. B. A. Acland and Major Baillie were appointed scrutineers. The second reading of Mr Maud,e'B Bill was agreed to on the voices. The result of the ballot for the Primacy was :— The Bishop of Wellington, 3 bishops, 11 clergy, 10 laity ; the Bishop of Nelson, 1 bishop, 4 clergy, 8 laity; the Bishop of Waipu, 1 laity. Bishop Hadfield, having more than one half of the votes recorded in each of the three orders, was declared duly elected Primate of Naw Zealand amidst loud applause. Bishop Suter addressed the newly elected Primato as follows : — *' I have very much pleasure, on behalf of the Synod, in announcing to you the fact that after dealing in accordance with the canons, tho choice of tho General Synod has fallen upon your Lordship, and I, as President of this Synod, have the duty devolving on me todeclareyouhavebeendulyelectedPrimate of New Zealand, and I do so with much pleasure, because I consider if I may tako the privilege of saying a word or two, that it is a very honourable crown to a worthy career. There are, perhaps, other solutions of the difficulty which might havo been agreeable to some, but I venture to say the fact of this having been carried out thoroughly, in the opinion of everyone, in accordance with the Canons and Constitution, will be a reason for our congratulating you on your accession to that offioe." The newly-elected Primate having taken the Primatial chair, thanked the* Synod for their renewed confidence in him. He was aware there were many drawbacks to his acceptance of the office, but having assented to Mb election at i Dunedin la3t year he had nothing further to do than to consent to the present election. He expressed the opinion that the election in Dunedin last year was strictly in accordance with the canons. For the last forty years he had endeavoured to assure, in the establishment of the ecclesiastical Province of New Zealand, that it should not be in any degree connected with tho ecclesiastical laws of England, and to uphold the authority of the General Synod. He concluded his address by expressing the hope that he be guided daring his short term of office by the spirit of the Constitution and Canons for the well being of the Church. Mr Maude then introduced his Bill for the confirmation of the nomination of Archdeacon Julius as Bishop of ChristI church.