Synod Fottings.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 6, 1 December 1910, Page 13

Synod Fottings.

The Archdeacon of Waiapu always appears happy and fit, but to see him at his very best is at the moment when he is introducing anew Bill to the Synod ! This year the Archdeacon's new Bill was one to make clearer what is required before an application can be made for the formation of a Parish, and the Bill was passed practically without amendment. We give the main features of the Bill :—- ----2. The applicants shall furnish, with the application the following documents : — (a) A plan showing the boundaries of the proposed Parish ; (b) A list of not less than fifty registered Church members, of whom at leapt twenty must be Communicants, resident within the boundaries of the proposed Parish ; (o) Sketch plans of a suitable Church and Vicarage already erected, with a memorandum from the Trustees showing the buildings to be m good repair ; (d) A statement that the proposed Parish . is m a position to raise locally not less than £250 per annum to support the Vicar, and undertakes to do so.' 6. It shall be the duty of the Sessional Committee on Returns and Accounts m each year to report the case of any Parish failingto comply with: the Regulations set forth m Clause 2 hereof. ■ j 7. If the Committee should report that any Parish has failed to comply with the Regulations as aforesaid, the Synod shall take such action as shall to it seem fit under Title B, Canon V., 8 of the General Synod. • Boitudaries of Parishes and Parochial Districts.—A. resolution was passed asking the President to appoint a Commission to inquire into the boundaries of the various Parishes and Parochial Districts m Hawke's Bay. A number of Parishes and Parochial Districts are far too large, and because of the cutting-up of large runs there has been a great influx of population, making it all the more difficult for the Clergy to keep m touch with their Parishioners. With the object of studying the conditions of the several districts, and of suggesting changes m their boundaries for the more effective work of the Church, the Bishop was asked to appoint a Commission, and it is hoped that the result of its inquiries may be communicated to the Bishop before the next meeting of Synod. Expenses of Clergy Transferred from .one Parish or Parochial District to Another. — The Standing Committee was asked to take this matter into consideration; it was pointed out that the expenses of moving are y considerable, one speaker stated that m his case they amounted to m another case to J£so.

And m view of the large expenditure entailed m moving, let tin say, from Hawke's Bay to the Bay of Plenty, or vice lierad, a Vicar might be compelled to refuse what' might be m every way a wise change of work. It would then be a great help to the Clergy on moving it', at least, part of their expenses could be paid by the Diocese. A donation of £10 was promised by one of the Clergy towards a fund for this purpose. Hulcarere School, — Archdeacon Tfedall moved— ' ' That this Synod desires to place on record its deep regret at the total destruction by fire of the Hukarere School, and to extend to the Misses Williams, and the Principal, teachers, and scholars its sincere sympathy with them m the severe blow that has.oonie upon, them ; it notes with thankfulness that owing to the. splendid discipline that was observed by everyone there, was no " : loss of life or accident of any kind; itfurthertruststhatnoeffortwill.be spared and no time lost m the rebuilding of the school that has done so much for the uplifting of the Maori race/ A number of speeches were made both by Pakeha and Maori representatives showing the utmost . sympathy with the resolution, and warm appreciation of the great work of the school, which was founded m 1875 ; and also the general desire that the new school should be built, as soon as possible,- on a more extensive site, and with accommodation for a larger number of girls. . The Mission. — It certainly would not have been fitting if the Synod had not passed a resolution of gratitude for the Mission. The resolution was moved by the Archdeacon of Waiapu, and was carried unanimously, only two or three short speeches being made, for if all the members of Synod had spoken out what they felt, the Synod would not have concluded its work on the Thursday night ! Silence was on this occasion the most eloquent testimony to the heartfelt concurrence of the whole Synod with the resolution, which we append : — Archdeacon Williams moved — " That fa) this Synod desires to place on record its thankfulness to Almighty God for the blessings received by the Diocese during the Mission, and its appreciation, of the self-sacrificing efforts of the Missioners >m His service ; and prays that those efforts may by God's grace be productive of lasting good to the Church, and that His blessing may rest continually upon the Missioners and their work. (b) That the Right Rev. the.President be respectfully requested to forward a copy of this resolution to Canon Stuart and the Committee m England as an indication of gratitude for-the-excel-lence of the arrangements made, by them lor the conduct of the Mission." Church Book Depot; — : The Mission, has shown clearly the need of such a depot, and the question was brought before the Synod by the Rev. Dawson Thomas, speaking for the Gisborne Clerical Society. It was decided to leave the matter m the hands of the Gisborne Clerical Society to correspond with other Dioceses m the matter and report to next Synod, In this connection a letter m the last number of The layman is. of interest;—-

----" Wsit we want is a good « Church Book Shop,' with headquarters at Christchnroh or jwith sub^branohes m ( other Could we not start a. Company, with a capital of £2000— in 2000; shares of £1 each 7-tp,BeU Church publications, &c." , , :■: • Committees : -Diocesan Mission Board.— A Recess Committee was. set up to consider the means whereby the Bishop's suggestion that a Diocesan Mission Board be given effect to. •■ ..-..:. ■Religious Instruction m Schools.— The Synod again affirmed the desirability of the introduction of the New South Wales system for religious instruction m. schools, and a Committee was appointed to confer with the heads of other religious bodies. Meetings and Conferences of Clergy.— A quiet morning for* the Clergy was arranged for m the Cathedral on the Saturday of Synod week. There was a celebration of Holy Communion at 7.30, Mnttius at 10, and a third service at 11.30. At each of these three services the Rev. H. Rogers, of the Christchurch Diocese, gave most thoughtful and helpful addresses. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings Mr. Rogers very kindly acceded to a request to give an address after Mattins, and Conferences were then held m the Synod room, presided over by the Bishop. A number of subjects were introduced and discussed. We can only hope that these Conferences will be held at future meetings of Synod,. for they proved most helpful, and not the less so that now and again a touch of humour created a hearty burst of laughter. This was the case when one of the Clergy, m speaking of methods of attracting lads, deprecated the use of such methods as absentee cards, &c, describing them as "Oh ! Willie, we have missed you " methods ! The Recreations of Synod Week. — The Bishop and Mrs. Averill very kindly gave a Garden Party on the Saturday afternoon, and a most enjoyable afternoon it proved. Fine weather, the City Band, the beautiful terraced garden, the glorious views, and last, but not least, the kindly welcome and hospitality of our Bishop and his wife, all combined to give to the many guests a most delightful and enjoyable afternoon. On Monday the Clergy were all invited to lunch at the Bishop's house, where Mrs. Averill, assisted by a number of ladies, most assiduously waited on them, a»-d they fared sumptuously ! Needless to add the Clergy expressed their most hearty thanks to the Bishop and Mrs. Averill for their most thoughtful hospitality. On Thursday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Douglas McLean also invited us to a Garden Party m their beautiful garden. Unfortunately a number of the members of Synod were unable to be present; being " on duty " that afternoon, but those who were able tc attend spent a very happy afternoon, and are very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. McLeai for their kindness.