Waiapu Diocesan synod, 1912

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume III, Issue 5, 1 November 1912, Page 63

Waiapu Diocesan synod, 1912

The Third Session of the 18th S} m od of the Diocese commenced on S. Luke's Day, October 18th, 1912. The Session began with a celebration of the Holy Communion m S. John's Cathedral at 11 a.m., the Lord Bishop of the Diocese being the Celebrant, with Archdeacons' Tisdall , and Williams as Epistoler and Gospeller respectively. At 4 p.m.. the Synod met m S. John's Schoolroom. After the roll of members had been called special prayers for the blessing and guidance of Almighty God were offered by the Bishop. The Bishop then delivered his Presidential address, a verbatim report of which will be found m another place. A vote of thanks to the President having been carried, The Yen. Archdeacon Williams, Commissary, read the following motion from the Diocesan Standing Committee :— " To the Right Rev. Alfred Walter Averill, D.D., Lord Bishop of Waiapu, — On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, J. desire to express our thanks to Almighty God for your safe return from Bngland, and to welcome you back to the Diocese. We trust that you and Mrs. . Averill have besn benefited m health by the rest and change. We hope that the opportunities which you have had of being for a time m closer communication with Church life m the Old Country will serve as inspiration and encouragement to yourself, and thus indirectly prove of advantage to the Diocese. We congratulate you on the honour conferred upon you by. your University, and m conclusion we pray that you may receive from Above an abundant supply of strength and wisdom to perform the duties and face the dilliculties which will meet you as chief pastor of the Diocese." The Bishop expressed his gratitude and that of Mrs. Averill for the kindly expressions contained m the address. The Rev. C. L. Wilson was appointed Clerical Secretary of the Synod. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock read the report of the Boundaries Commission of the Parishes and Districts m Hawke's Bay. — It was decided to allow the Archdeacon to introduce a Bill, to give effect to the findings of the Commission. The hours of Synod were fixed at 4 to 5.55, with an adjournment to 8 p.m. daily. .

The following were appointed a Committee on Returns . and Accounts :— Revs. Canon Tuke, G. D. Wilson, and F. W. Chatterton, Colonel Winter, Messrs. Sheath, McLean, and Beckett. The Rev. H. J. Rogers was invited to a sit m the Synod. The Synod then adjourned until Monday. Bible m Schools. On Friday evening a Special Meeting was held m the Theatre m support of the movement recently inaugurated for. obtaining the addition ot the Bible as a subject m the Education Syllabus of this country, and for lorming a Brancn of the Bible-in-Schools League. The chair was taken ,by the Lord Bishop, who was supported on the platform by the Right Rev. Bishop Vvilliams, the "Yen. Archdeacons Williams, Ruddock, and Tisdall, the Revs. J. A. Asher, H, L. Blamires, A. Hodge, Adjutant Walker, and Mr. T. Tanner. Bishop Averill expressed pleasure at the representative gathering, and outlined the objects ior which the meeting had been called, which were (i) to express sympathy with the movement called the Bible-in-Schools League ; (2) to start the League m Hawke's Bay ; and (3) carry out the work of the League m the district. In the course of an eloquent and at times impassioned address, Bishop Averill referred to the fact that other attempts had been made to restore religious teaching into the schools, but they had failed m the main because Christians had not been united. Now, however, the existing conditions were different, and threefourths of the population of the Dominion were pledged to support through their Church assemblies the system of Bible teaching m schools, known as the New South Wales system. If they failed this time it would not be because they were not united. Thank God they could feel they were united now. Continuing, Bishop Averill paid a high tribute to the success ~of the system wherever it had been adopted, and pointed out that no State wherein the system had once been established had gone back on it. He desired to see the wfiole system adopted, as it was m Australia ; that the teachers should give the Bible lessons m the State Schools, and it should be remembered that, the teachers were "not asked to teach religion but rather,

to treat the subject as one of the items of the syllabus. He referred to the advantage of having no conscience clause ior teachers m the New South Wales system, which he said had proved of great benefit to scnool children, as unfortunately there was very little religious training m the home, and m some instances little or no opportunity for instruction m the Sunday Schools. If Bible teaching were good enough for the home and the Church, it surely should be good enough for the schools. In conclusion, the Bishop referred euiogistically to the good work being done by Canon Garland, and urged upon one. and all the necessity of being missionaries of the movement, and to do all they could to help it along. The system, he. said, was absolutely fair to all, and had a clear claim to the consideration of the Government, while those m favour of. the movement should surely be entitled to a referendum on the subject. The chief difficulty with the teachers was not the teaching of the Bible, but the over-loaded syllabus. He held that Bible teaching m the schools was good for the children and good , for the teachers, and would form a bond between them that nothing else could do, eventually making this grand Dominion more worthy of being called " God's Own Country. >T , The Rev. J. A. Asher also spoke, concluding by stating his belief m the i'act that if a referendum of the people were taken its issue would be quite favourable to the movement. Mr. Thomas Tanner, . spoke at some length, giving an interesting account of the growth of the movement from its earliest stages. He held the only democratic way to deal with the subject would be to refer it to the people. In Austra-' lasia Victoria and New Zealand had not adopted the system, which had proved to be most satisfactory m its results. Those m favour of the movement, he contended, should continue .m their importunity until they received what they had a right to expect, and what Parliament had no right to refuse. The Rev. A. Hodge was the next speaker, and he gave an interesting account of his experiences of the working of the New South Wales system. He held that even those mosi bitterly opposed to the move- , ment should help those m favour < of it to get what they wanted— a '

Bill through Parliament- providing tor a relerendum. Let the people, he said, say whether they wanted the Bible m schools or not. Mr. F. W. Williams proposed that a Central Committee of the Bible m State Schools League be formed m Hawiie's Bay as follows :—President, Right Reverend the Bishop of Waiapu ; Vice-Presidents, Revs. Canon Tuke, J. A. Asher, H. LBlamires, and Mr. T. Tanner ; Secretary, Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock ; Treasurer, Mr. J . Wilson Craig ; Committee, Revs. Canon Mayne, A. Hodge, T. Tait, and R. Waugh, Adjutant Walker, Messrs. J. H. Sheath, J. H. Oldham, J. R. Crerar, G. W. Venables, A. B. P. Dyett, and W. T. Williams. Mr. Bird seconded the resolution, which was carried, and on the motion of Bishop Averill a vote of sympathy was passed to Mr. J. Wilson Craig m connection with his recent bjereavetaient. < Devotional exercises opened and closed the meeting, and a collection m aid of the funds of the movement was liberally responded to. Quiet Morning for the Clergy. On Saturday a Quiet Morning was held m the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral. The Rev. J. H. Rogers, who conducted the Quiet Morning two years ago, very kindly did so again this year, and led those present m qiuiet thought and meditation upon their work and office, yspeaking particularly upon the relation between the Priest and God, the Priest to his office and the Priest to his neighbour. Mr. Rogers kindly continued the addresses at Mattins on Monday and Tuesday. It would be out of place to . express profuse thanks to a Priest for help m this direction, but it would be ungrateful did we not say that we were helped and strengthened, and returned to our respective posts brightened by a new vision of God.

The Bishop and Mrs. Averill kindly invited the members of the Synod to a Garden Party at Bishopscourt on Saturday afternoon, when, m spite of threatening storms and sky overcast, a very happy and enjoyable afternoon was spent. Synod Sunday. The services on Sunday were — Holy Communion, 8 a.m. ; ; Mattins and sermon, 11 a.m. ;, evensong and sermon, 7 p.m. The Bishop was the celebrant

at 8 a.m., and also preached at Mattins. The preacher at evensong ,was the Rev. J. H. Rogers. The Lessons were read by the Rev: J. Bennett, and Archdeacon Williams m. the, morning, ,and the Rev. Peni Hakiwai and G. D. Ward •m the evening. It was unfortunate that rain ieil so heavily m the afternoon and evening. The* Bishop's sermon will be found m another place. MONDAY. After prayers and the reading, of the minutes, the Bishop . read a telegram from the Bishop of Auckland acknowledging and reciprocating the greetings of the Waiapu Synod. The report of the Sessional Committee on returns and reports was read by the Rev. F. W. Chatterton. Mr. Sheath asked leave to introduce a Bill constituting the Parish of Tauranga a . Parochial District. Leave was given, and the Bill was read a firat time, and its second reading made an order of the day for Tuesday. , Mr. Fielder read the report of the Te Aute Trust Board specially relating to the Hukarere School. Insurance , Fund. The Rev. M. Cockerill moved the motion standing m his name^— " That a Recess Committee be formed for the purpose of — i. (a) Preparing a statistical return showing the amount expended during the past ten years by Parishes and Parochial Districts m this Diocese m premiums on fire insurance ; (b) the amount received during the same period as compensation for loss by fire. 2. That the above Committee be instructed to suggest, if possible, a practicable scheme of self-insurance against fire with a view to its adoption m this Diocese or Province. , The above return to be presented to the next Session of Synod. The above Committee to include the .Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock, Messrs. J. H. Sheath, C. H. Edwards, and the mover, with power to add to their number." Mr. Cockerill pointed out the great advantages that would accrue to the Church by having its own system of insurance. He qjuoted the experience of the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations, and showed that although insurance m the Church Fund had been voluntary with the various districts, the opportunity had been very largely availed of, and was

the principle practically unanimously adopted. Canon VIII., dealing with this subject, and providing for a Diocesan Insurance Fund, had been passed m 1902, but was so far inoperative. Mr. J. B. Fielder seconded the resolution. He explained that the reason why Canon VIII. had not so far been acted upon was that the Diocesan Trustees had not been able to secure sufficient reserve guarantee. If people could be found to guarantee a sufficient reserve fund a Diocesan Reserve Fund would be at once opened. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock urged that efforts be made to obtain the concurrence of General Synod m establishing a Church Insurance Fund for the whole of the Province. The Diocese was too 'small a unit to work such a scheme with safety. Bishop Selwyt had tried to introduce a Church insurance scheme, but it had been unsuccessful. The Right Rev. Bishop Williams explained that the failure of Bishop Selwyn's scheme was due to the pusillanimity; of the Auckland Board of 1 Trustees of the fund, who were afraid to take risks. If that scheme had been proceeded with, the Church would have been m possession of a strong fund, not only for insurance purposes but also for pensions. He thought the Diocese should begin, even if it had to do it alone, provided a moderate guarantee fund could be raised and too great risks not undertaken until the fund were firmly established. Mr. Beckett said that insurance companies considered Church property as one of the best possible risks. Small mutual insurance funds had been formed among farming communities, and had been very successful. He did not see why the Church should hand over insurance profits to swell the gains of shareholders. Farmers had found that 5/- per cent, covered all risks, and was much cheaper than 8/6. He did not see why the Church should not get the benefits of the profits and spend them on religious objects. The motion was carried. British and Foreign Bible Society. The Rev. Oliver Dean moved, " That this Synod recommends that each Parish and Parochial District m the Diocese devote the offertories of one Sunday m each yejar to the British and Foreign

Bible Society." He said his first argument was based upon the intrinsic excellence and unique value of the Bible itself. A . Queen of England had said the Bib/ie was the secret of England's greatness ; a President of the United States had said it was the rock on which the United States was built ; the Emperor of Germany had said a similar thing. Supporting the Bible meant supporting all missions at once, as the work of the missions would be impossible without the Bible Society. Great portions of the mission field were at present untouched by the New Zealand Church, e.g., Japan, India, Thibet ; but the support of the Bible Society meant helping them all. The motion was seconded by Captain Lake. Archdeacon Ruddock thought the Rev. 0. Dean had sufficiently drawn attention to the work of the Bible Society, and suggested that the. motion be withdrawn. The Rev. F. B. Telling Simcox said it was untrue to suggest that the Church did not already helt) the Bible Society. The Rev.F. H. Spencer visited every Parish, and always received a great deal of support. The motion was lost. Right of Women to Vote. The Rev. J. Hobbs moved, "That it be a recommendation from this Synod to the General Synod so to amend the Canons that women may be allowed their right to vote at Parish meetings." He was not asking a favour for women, but demanding their just rights and privileges. He said the vote was a privilege that should be accorded women, and it should be left to their discretion whether they used it or not. He refused to admit that womten were m any way inferior to men m intellect. They had the same interest m Church matters as men, they had an equal stake, and should have an eqmal vote. What reason was there why people should unanimously approve of women's franchise m politics and yet shut them Qiit from Vestr\4 elections ? Women were baptised and confirmed as well as men, and should be allowed all lay privileges for which they had a vocation. The women were the better half of the laity, and they were not allowed lay privileges. In denying them their rights we were denying ourselves the best assistance we could have. No other Christian denom-

ination denied to women the same, rights of voting as men possessed. In political matters the women's vote\ had proved favourably to purity of legislation. In Church affairs women did most of the work, and had, an equal share with men m the building up of parochial districts ; but as soon as, these be-, came parishes women were put into the background, and the votes by men only were admitted. Mr.. Fielder seconded the motion. It had been .intended by the framers of the constitution that women should have equal rights with men. Mr. Thomas Tanner contended that "parishioners" included women. They had no right to exclude them, nor did any man dare to exclude them. At a recent meeting of parishioners at Havelock North it was the " little hands " of the women that had voted for free seats and had decided the qiuestion. It was absurd to think that a woman might vote for a member of Parliament but not tor a Vestryman. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams said, the question was one not only of right and privilege, but of principle. Men and women differed m their functions m life, and those women who would use the privilege would generally be those who did not do Church work, while Church workers did not desire it. As a matter of fact, he did not think the political enfranchisement of women had done anything towards improving or purifying politics. He thought on the average men and women were equally good and equally bad, and he did not think the granting of the ecclesias.tical franchise to women would make any difference m Church natters. , Canon Eccles said that after a long discussion m the Gene<raTr Synod ol 1888, m which he had borne a part, the motion for" female franchise had been lost by only one vote. Canon Tuke supported the motion, but he would not grant women a position m Vestries or Synods. He thought the . C.X.M.S. would not allow women to oust them from Church work or to outdo them m zeal. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock said he opposed the motion as a matter of principle. The Rev. Kohere said the motion that women should not vote was a relic of the dark ages. In olden times the Maoris thought women

were mere beasts of burden and would not allow them to speak.' in the meeting-house, but since the Maoris had become civilised and Christianised they had learned that women were equal with men. He always taught the Maori women that they owed the improvement of their position to Christianity, and he was surprised that the Church, which ought to have led m the matter of giving the franchise to women, had allowed the State to be the first to grant it, and now grudged to follow the State's lead. It had been thought awful at first for women to do many things m the same way as men,* but we had got used to it, and would not think of going back to the old way. The idea of the franchise being, inconsistent with the functions of women was based only on personal sentiment. Dr. Henley supported the arguments of Archdea.con Williams. He thought that if women came m men would leave the management of affairs to them. The Rev. Mr Robertshawe thought that m the heat of argument men would be unable to prevent themselves speaking sarcastically and discourteously to women. The Rev. Oliver Dean thought it was the old story of the camel getting m first his nose and then his body into the tent and crowding out the man. The Right Rev. the Bishop said that at present expressions of opinion might be taken at Parochial meetings from women as well as from men, but that was a different thing from giving women a vote m elections. He did not think female franchise had done much for politics. He would prefer that m all cases the age for enfranchisement should be 25 or 30 years instead of 21. The Rev. J. Hobbs briefly replied, and the motion was carried. Parish Boundaries. The chief business of the evening Session was the second reading of a Bill introduced by Archdeacon Ruddock for defining Parish boundaries. The. Bill was considered m committee, and certain amendments carried. The third reading was made an order of the day for Tuesday. Nominations. The following nominations w;ere received : For representatives m the General Synod : Yen. Archdeacons 1). Rud-

dock, C. A. Tisdall, H. W. Williamte, Rev. Canons F. Mayne, C. I/. Tuke, Rev. F. W. Chatterton ; Messrs. E. W. Andrews, T. Tanner, J. B. Fielder, and J. :H. Sheath. As three clergy and four laity are required, an election m the case of the clergy was necessary. For Diocesan Standing Committee : Yen. Archdeacons D. Ruddock and PI. W. . Williams ; Rev. Canons F. Mayne, J. C. Eceles, C. T v Tuke ; Revs. A. P. Clarke, J. B. Brocklehurst, and Iy. Dawson Thomas •,; Dr. E. A. W. Henley ; Messrs. J. B. Fielder, F. W. Williams, J. H. Sheath, S. E. McCarthy, and J. P. Williamson. As five clergy and six Jay men are required, an election m the case of the clergy was necessary. TUESDAY. . The Synod resumled its Session at 4 p.m. After prayers and the reading of the minutes, leave was granted to the Right Rev. Bishop Williams to address the Synod. The Bishop mentioned the establishment of a Persian Men's College at Ispahan m memory of Bishop Stuart, and asked for subscriptions. Mr. F. W. Williams moved, "That this Synod approve of an amendment to Canon 111., Title F, by the addition of the following clause, viz.., ' Clause .14a. AH buil/diings held by the Diocesan Trustees shall be insured m the name of the Trustees for such sum as the Trustees shall consider adequate, and the furniture and contents of all Churches and biuldings held by the Trustees (m so far as the said furniture and contents are used for parochial or other Church purposes) shall be insured m the namie of the Trustees, the Vicar, the Churchwardens and Vestry of the Parish or Parochial District m which they are situated ; and the Trustees shall ray over to the Vicar, Churchwardens, and Vestry of the Parish or Parochial District all moneys received from any insurance company imder any policy held by the Trustees for any such buildings or their contents m use as Parochial building's m such Parish or Parochial District, to be expended by them m replacing the loss m respect of which the money shall have been received. Provided that each Diocesan Synod shall determine by : whom the premium on insurance of all such property shall be paid/,'" :■■.:?

The motion ' was seconded by Archdeacon H. W, Williams and carried. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock moved that the report of the Committee on Sunday School Reform be adopted. — Carried. The Rev. M. .W. Butterfield brought forward a Bill "to establish a Social Work Fund." The Bill was read a. first time, and the second reading made an order of the day for Wednesday. . ' The Synod went into Committee to consider Archdeacon Williams' motion — " That (i) the fee for marriage by license' (including the fee for the license) be twenty shillings (20/-), the fee to be paid on application for the license, Marriage ■by banns : Nil. Baptism : Nil. Certificate of marriage, baptism, or burial, if applied for at the time of the ceremony : Nil. If applied for later, 2/6. (2) Ten shillings for each marriage by license, and all fees for certificates be paid to the Pension Fund. (3) A special offertory be made throughout the Diocese m aid of the Home Mission on \the first Sunday m September, and that out of this offertory a sum eq,ual to five shillings for each marriage by banns during the year be paid over to the Pension Fund." At the hour for adjournment progress was reported, and leave granted to sit again. The Archdeacon subsequently withdrew his motion. EVENING SESSION. The first business, the election of Standing Committee clerical representatives, resulted m the election of Archdeacon Ruddock, Archdeacon Williams, Canon Tuke, Canon Mayne, and the Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst. The following" motion was carried :— " That His Lordship the Bishop be respectfully asked to convey to the Rev. J. "H. Rogers the thanks of the Synod for the helpful addresses he has been good enough to give during, the time of the Synod." . Mr. F. W. Williams moved . the second reading of a Bill to amend Diocesan Canon IX. regarding the Clerical Pension Board. The Bill was considered m Committee, reported to Synod on the third reading, and made an order of the day for Wednesday. Mr. Sheath moved the second reading of the Bill for constituting tjie Parish of Taura^iga a Parochial

District.— Carried. The Synod considered the Bill m Committee, and the v third reading was made an order of the day for Wednesday. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock moved the third reading of the Bill re-defining the boundaries of Parishes m Hawke's Bay. T,he Bill was passed. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams moved — " (i) That a Committee be set up to inquire into the printing of the Proceedings of Synod and other Diocesan papers, and report upon the same ; (2) that the Committee consist of Archdeacon Ruddock, Canon Mayne, . Messrs. \V. M. Beckett, F. W. Williams, and the mover. I '— The motion was carried. Mr. J. A. McLean moved, "That a Recess Committee be appointed to consider system of payment of stipend to clergy, . etc., the establishment of a central fund for the purpose of such payment, and anything else which the said Committee may consider to be m the nature of an improvement upon the present system, and to report to next Session of Synod ; also that the following be the Committee : The Yen. Archdeacan Williams, Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock, Messrs. F. W. Williams, C. H. Edwards, J. P. Williamson, George Ebbett, and the mover, with power to add to their number, A,rchdeacon Ruddock to be the convener." The minister, he said, was the servant of the Diocese, not of the Parish, and should not have financial relation with the Parish. The wealthier Parishes should assist m providing funds towards the stipends of the clergy of the poorer Parishes. The present Home Mission Fund did this to a certain extent, but not sufficiently, and we needed to. have the sympathies of each Parish widened. — The Bishop commended the motion, and thanked Mr. McLean for introducing it. — The motion was carried, Mr. Whibley moved for a voluntary assessment of Churchmen of themselves for the service of God. He said he believed that such offerings did not impoverish the givers, but were rewarded by God's blessing. He proposed an assessment m acreage of farms. One halfpenny per acre for Church people would produce twice as much income as was received at present. — The motion was seconded by Archdeacon Ruddock, who said

that we needed .to impress upon people the desirability of systematic giving. — The Rev. J. Hobbs agreed with the Archdeacon s remarks. He thought .the motion Should be relegated to the' Committee appointed to enquire into a general Diocesan fund for payment of stipends. — The Rev. Canon Tuke did not think, land owners would £ake kindly to a . suggestion that seemed to transplant tne tithe system to New Zealand. — All the speakers complimented Mr. Whibley on his work and on his zeal m the cause of the Church. — The Rev. G. Ward said this was not an attempt to introduce tithes, but simply to encourage systematic giving. He did not think a mere resolution of the Synod was sufficient. He thought literature on the subject might do good. Many wealthy professing Churchpeople gave nothing, at all to Church funds. — The Rev. F. Bennett said that a Maori lie knew gave onetenth of his income to the Church. He died lately, and left m his will a bequest of a year lor 20 years after his death for the support of a Maori clergyman, and also ,£IOOO to the Maori Mission Board after the death of the purvivors of the present beneficiarues. -Mrs. Donnelly had ailso left for a similar purpose. A number of Maoris at Rotorua had 1 lately sold some land for about and had out of that sum handed over ,£4OO . for the building of a Church. The Maoris were gradually coming into line with the Pakeha, and learning to, give. The Maoris' educational and other endowments m this Diocese were of considerable extent. — Mr. Thos. Tanner supported the principle of the resolution, but pointed out that it would probably effect nothing ; it was merely a recommendation to Churchpeople to do their duty. — The Bishop said the Rev. F. Whibley had done a wonderful work, m a difficult district, and his suggestions were worthy of consideration. This precise suggestion might not be within the realm of practical politics, but the principle was sound. — Mr. Whibley withdrew his motion. A motion brought before Synod on Monday by Canon Eccles expressingi "the Synod's sympathy with Mrs. Jordan on the death of the late Canon Jordan, and commending his work, was carried by the Synod, the members standing. Synod adjourned at 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY. The Synod resumed ,at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, ' Oct. 23rd. After prayers and the reading of the minutes, the President read a request for leave of absence from Mr , Thornton on account of severe illness. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams read the report of the Committee on Social Problems. . . . Church Grants. The Rev. M. Cockerill moved, " That it be a recommendation to the Standing Committee to exercise discrimination m the application of their resolution passed two years ago, by which Parochial Districts, receive each year £5 less from Church . grants than m the former year ; such discrimination to be exercised especially m the case of those Parochial Districts which can be shown to the satisfaction of the Standing Committee to be m a retrograde position m respect to Church membership." — Mr. Cockerill urged that the rigidity of the rule that grants to; Parochial Districts should decrease by ,£5 per year should be relaxed. The presenti regulation pressed hardly on struggling Districts. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Canon Eccles. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams pointed out that the motion was really unnecessary, as, the Standing Committee were already acting just m the way the motion proposed. The Rev. Canon Tuke said the great influx tof population necessitated the formation of new districts to which grants had to be made. The old districts must be gradually weaned, however much everybody lamented the necessity of it. . Mr. Fielder and Archdeacon Tisdall spoke to the motion. Mr. F. W. Williams defended the Standing Committee from any insinuations as to its carefulness, and entire bona fides .m allocating grants. The Standing Committee's only object was to deal as fairly as possible with all districts, and m the best interests of the Diocese. The Rev. M. Cockerill withdrew his motion. Church Properties. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams moved, " That the Synod approves of the request of the Vicar and Churchwardens of the Parochial District of Tologa Bay that

the Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees Incorporated should take the necessary steps for the making an exchange of part of Section n, Block VIII., of Buckley Township for paft of Section 12 m the same Block. Seconded by the Rev. S. Davidson and carried. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams moved, ''* That the Synod advises the Wiaiapu , Board of Diocesan Trustees Incorporated to apply to the General Synod for leave to accept the offer of Section 22 m Tiniroto Village and the sum of ,£lO for Section 31 and 32 now held by the Trustees." Seconded by the Rev. W. J. Simkin and carried. The Yen. Archdeacon D. Ruddocki moved that m the event of the auction of the leases of the Waipukurau Vicarage sections (Block 227a) not being successful, this Synod recommends that application be made by authority of the Standing Committee to the General Synod for leave to sell the land m question, any sum realised

by the sale of this land to be invested m approved securities by the Diocesan Board of Trustees for the benefit ol the Parish of Waipukurau. Seconded by Mr. Saunders and carried. The Yen. Archdeacon .. Tisdall moved, '« That the Synod empowers the Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees Incorporated to apply to the General Synod for leave to sell the present Vicarage site m Opotiki with a view to acquiring a new site as requested by the Vicar and Vestry of Opotiki." Seconded by the Yen. Archdeacon Williams and carried. Etiolation of Sympathy. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock moved, " (a) That this Synod desires to express to Mr. J. Thornton, headmaster of Te Aute College, its regret at his illness and its deep sense of the devotion, energy, and ability he has displayed m the interests of the Te Ante College during the course of many years for which he has held his oflice ; (bj that the President be respectfully asked to convey the above resolution to Mr. Thornton/' —Archdeacon Ruddock spoke of the devotion of Mr. Thornton to the work of uplifting the Maori people. Mr. Fielder seconded the resoliftion, and as a Trustee expressed appreciation of Mr. Thornton's zeal. Mr. E. W. Andrews was most pleased to support the motion. He had known Mr. Thornton for 16 years. He was a good schoolmaster, and his work had been most successful. The Rev. R. L. Kohere felt shy of saying what might be thought flattering. He had rather be like Tom Brown, who m the presence of the body of , his late schoolmaster merely bowed his head and wept silently. The firm handling he had received from Mr. Thornton had made something of a man of him. Mr. Thornton was a remarkable man, as a manager and as a disciplinarian. He knew exceedingly well how to manage Maori boys. Mr. H. Hill most heartily agreed with the motion. Mr. Thornton's name would be remembered at Te Ante. He had always set high ideals before his pupils. The Maori clergy present were a sufficient testimony to the value of his work. ; The Rev. Arthur Williamis said the school which opened under Mr.

Thornton with 14 scholars had developed into a college with 4 masters and 70 or 80 students. It was a great, distress , to Mr. Thornton to be unable to continue his work.. The Te : Aute College Association had resulted largely from Mr. Thornton's efforts. The Young Maori Party would miss his influence and leadership. The Rev. Canon Tuke expressed his sympathy with Mr. Thornton. His presence m Synod was missed exceedingly. The Rev. Canon Eccles said he had met Mr. Thornton 35 years ago, and had known him well ever since. He added his testimony and appreciation of Mr. Thornton's great work. Tne Right Rev. the Bishop expressed his great sympathy with Mr. Thornton., He felt sure, the motion of Synod would be acceptable to Mr. Thornton, The motion was carried, all standing. The late Rev. A. Gardiner.' The Rev. J. Hobbs moved, "That this vSynod put on record its affectionate remembrance of the life and work of the Rev. Allan Gardiner, for many years a clergyman m the Diocese ; and that His Lords !iip the Bishop be respectfully asked to convey the sincere sympathy of this Synod to his widow." Mr. Hobbs had had the great privilege of being Mr. Gardiner's neighbour during the last years of his residence m this Diocese. His intense zeal m regard to missionary work had given a great impetus to all -such work m the Diocese. As parish priest, brother clergyman, and missionary enthusiast, all would fully .share the regard m which he held him. Mr. Thos. Tanner, m seconding the motion, wished to bear testimony to the excellent work by Mr. Gardiner, arid his zeal for missions. His death had been a deep grief to his old parishioners at Havelock. The Rev. Canon Tuke enijphasised the great work and wonderful patience of Mr. Gardiner m spite of continued ill-health and frequent intense suffering. His old parishioners he,ld him m very great respect. The Rev. L. Dawsori Thomas said that- the memory of Mr. Gardiner was still green m the Parish of Gisborne. The Rev. Y. T. Kohere spoke of Mr. Gardiner's work for Te Aute (students. He would never forget

Mr. Gardiner's work and patience m suffering by his simple but very effective preaching. The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock supported the ntotion. He .felt that the Diocese was poorer for his absence, but richer for his example. The Bishop said When he saw Mr. Gardiner m London he was surprised to find him so well. It was while he was on a visit to Oxford that he was taken so ill and died. He had buried him under the grand old spires of the University. He expressed! his sympathy with Mrs. Gardiner. Allan Gardiner was a man of deep spirituality and reality.. He (,the Bisho?) was grateful for his loyalty and his labours as first editor under him of the "Church Gazette." The motion was carried, all the members standing. The meeting adjourned at 5.55 p.m. ; EVENING SESSION. The election of clerical members to General Synod resulted m Yen. Archdeacon Williams, the Rev. F, W. Chatterton, and the Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock being chosen. Various Bills. ■ The third reading of the Bill to amend Diocesan Canon IX. re Clerical Pension Board was moved by Mr. F. W. Williams and carried. — The Bill was passed. The third reading of a Bill to constitute the Parish of Tauranga a Parochial District was moved by Mr. J. H. Sheath and carried, and the Bilf was passed. . The second reading of a Bill to establish a fund for providing for social work m the Diocese of Waiapu was proposed by the Rev. M. W. Butteriield. — The mover' expressed his conviction that the practical work of the Christian Church was of the highest importance. When charitable and social work were left to private individuals or societies within the Church a wrong impression was created that the Church as a body was preaching the principles of Christianity but not giving practical expression to them. The different branches of charitable work should be officially managed and directed by the Church herself. It was a reproach to the Church that her activities m this direction w!ere not more prominent, and a great deal of support that would be otherwise given to definite Church work was diverted to secular and other' •• institutions, none of which

were able to carry out the Christian ideals of Churchmen satisfactorily. The Church m this way was losing the opportunity of exhibiting to the world what should be' her most powerful evidence of earnestness and adherence to the teaching and practice of the Master. The Bill he proposed would create a fund for social purposes, to be under the control of the Church, and to provide for homes and other agencies for giving practical effect to Christian principles. — Mr. F. W. Williams seconded the motion, which was carried. The Synod went into Committee to consider the clauses of the Bill. The Synod adjourned at 10 p.m. The Synod resumed its Session at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. After prayers and the reading of the minutes, Mr. F. W. Williams moved, "That the report of the Trustees of the Waiapu Bishopric Endowment Trust be accepted." The Rev. J. Hobbs moved the motion standing m the name of Canon Mayne, " That the present condition of the Cathedral Chapter being unsatisfactory, a Committee be set up to enquire into the constitution of the said Chapter (Canon. IV.) and report to next Session of Synod. That said Committee consist of the following : F. Logan (Chancellor of the Diocese), F. W. Williams, H. Burnett (Church Advocate), T. Tanner, Dr. Henley; S. B. McCarthy, Yen. Archdeacon Williams, and the mover." He explained that Canon Mayne was prevented from being present on account of , the serious illness of his youngest daughter. Canon Mayne's desire was to put the work of the Cathedral on a proper footing. He read an address by Canon Mayne ofvtlining a scheme for the reform of the Chapter. Mr. Hobbs said the Chapter, as a body, since its first appointment, had been of no real btenefit to the Diocese, although its members had bfeen a body of most saintly and able men. Either the Chapter should be abolished or something done to improve its usefulness. An investigation of the whole matter was urgently recmired.—Mr. Thos. Tanner said Mr. Hobbs' arguments were all m favour of ending the. Chapter. He advised the withdrawal of the nibtion.—Mr. Fielder moved that the Synod proceed to the next order of the day.— This motion was carried. Archdeacon Ruddock moved, " That His lordship the Bishop be

respectfully asked to .confer with the other Bishops of the Province with a view to securing the services of a Sunday, School expert for the Province for a set term, who shall visit each Diocese m turn and give instruction and help m the,; art of teaching to Sunday School teachers and others. — Carried. Archdeacon Ruddock moved, " That it be an instruction to the Standing Committee of the Diocese to arrange, if possible, for the establishment of a Sunday School Depot for the Diocese.". — Carried. The Rev. M. W. Butterfield, m the absence of Canon Mayne, moved regarding the Home Mission Fund, " That on a Sunday to be fixed by the Standing Committee (as well as that of Mid-Lent Sunday) the collections of the Churches of the Diocese be allocated to the Home Mission Fund." — The motion was, seconded by the Rev. L. Dawson Thomas, who said, "we did not do nearly enough for this fund." — Canon Tuke supported the, motion, and. the Rev. H. T. Rawnsley suggested the raising of subscriptions. — Bishop Williams said he had always advocated a Home Mission Fund, but did not think this motion would help it much. He did not oppose the appropriation of a collection, but he wanted an organis ition m each District to collect the funds. — Mr. Tanner said Canon Eccles had done much m the direction of organ : sation as suggested by Bishop Williams, both m collecting and m securing the appointment m each Parish of collectors for the fund. He commended the work of lady collectors. — The B'shop called attention to the larg-e number of people there were m the Diocese not provided at all with spiritual supervision. He heartily supported the motion. — The Rev. Archdeacon Williams said a large area of country existed between Wairoa and Opotiki which couM int possibly be worked from either end, and was bein^ utterly neglected, although the population m it was rapidly growing. — The Yen. Archdeacon Tisdall advocated local Home Missionary Associations.—The, Rev. Mr. Whibley spoke of the value of his Black Wool Fund. In his district each farmer gave a fleece of black wool, and the amount collected reached f%o per year. He commended the idea tp '*'••: Mother country clergy. — Mr., Fielder said people would isrive if asked. The shortage of funds for the Home Mission was due merely

to neglect to ask for funds, rr- Carried. . The Bill to establish a Social Work Fund was passed through., all its stages and adopted by Synod. , Mr. J. B. Fielder moved that the report of the Standing Committee be accepted/ — Carried. Mr. J. B. Fielder moved that the report of the Diocesan Trusts Board be accepted.— Carried. Mr. J. B. Fielder moved that the report of the Te Ante Trust Board be accepted.— Carriedf Archdeacon Ruddock moved, "That the report of the Bishopric Endowment Extension Fund Committee be adopted." He thanked all those who had so well helped m the completion of the Fund.— Carried. Mr. J. A. McLean moved (on behalf of Mr. Sheath) regarding No. 2 Clergy Pension Fund, " That it be a recommendation to all Church people of the Diocese to use every effort to strengthen No. 2 Clergy Pension ;Fund until it be, possible to alter Clause 17, Section B, of the, Fund, which reduces a clergyman's claim on . the Fund to one-third of ;£ioo per annum if he fails, to' ?be associated with, a Parish through health or otherwise before the age of 65 ; and to aim at making the fund strong enough to retire clergymen m weak health at the age of 60 on a pension of per annum. — vSeconded by Mr. A. McLean.— Mr. F. W. Williams explained that Nq. 4 Fund was the one to be strengthened. The James Cottrell Bequest had already effected a great deal of help m this direction for Auckland clergy, and if gentlemen m this Diocese would make a similar bequest the object would be attained. — The Bishop commended the purpose of the motion, but suggested its withdrawal. He had m his mind a. most urgent and press-, ing case m the Diocese. If some wealthy layman would give him £500 n^v.he would be able to apply it +0 tlie most deserving case of a clergyman who wished to retire on account of serious illhealth 1 , but found it impossible to do so. — Archdeacon Williams urged that the motion be not withdrawn. The Pension Fund did [ need strengthening— it needed all the assistance it could get. — Mr. Fielder moved, as an amendment, V That it be a recommendation to all Church people of the Diocese to use every effort to strengthen the Pension Fund . ' '—Mr. McLean accepted the amendment, whichVßecame the motion, antf was carried,

Archdeacon Ruddock moved, " That the number of Trustees of the Te Aute College Trust be increased by four." — Seconded by Mr. F.i W. Williams.— Bishop Williams said the Trustees were pleased that this matter was being brought forward. — Carried. The Rev. R. T. Kohere moved regarding the appointment of headmaster of Te Aute College, " That it be a recommendation from this Synod to the Te Aute College Trustees that, m their appointment of headmaster of the College as successor to Mr. Thornton, the remodelling of the College so as to make agricultural and industrial training of its pupils a special feature, may be taken into consideration. AH Maoris agreed — m fact, the whole of the Maori people agreed — as to the advisability of this being done. The time demanded it. One of the burning questions m the Dominion was the settlement of Maori lands. The Maoris felt they were being hemmed m on every side. The Maori must either use his land or give it up to the Pakeha. The Bishop had said that the salvation of the Maori race lay m work. All acknowledged that. He was sure the Bishop meant that the Maori should be working on his land. Te Aute College had done good work m the past, but must develop. The Maori must work on his land. The way to help him was to give him the opportunity of learning agriculture at Te Aute. He must be caught hold of young. Many boys who had received a good education at Te Aute had left it with a distaste for manual work." The form of education at Te Au'te had m many cases made manual labour distasteful to the Maori boy. The capable Maori sheepfarmers on the Kast Coast had become- successful m spite of lack of early education ; they would have been better still if they had been trained. He did not believe the Maori was cut out for business or office work. The Maoris, if compelled to live m towns, would be doomed to extinction ; they must live m the open air. The bulk of the boys at Te Aute were , sacrificed for the sake of thoge who had special ability. All had to take a secondary course which was suitable only to boys who had special ability for it, and were unfitted for farm work, which ought to be the pursuit of their lives. The school needed readjustment. He advocated scholarships for smart boys, to send them to

Pakeha schools. — The motion was seconded by Archdeacon H. W. Williams. Te Aute, he said, had already inaugurated a change, arid still further alterations would be made. — Mr. Fielder stated that the Trustees were willing to make necessary changes. — Archdeacon Ruddock saM he understood the Trustees were quite sympathetic. The sooner the scheme was put into operation the better. — The Rev. Arthur Williams said that at almost every meeting of the Te Aute, Association since its inauguration Some one of the Young Maori Party had brought up the question. He was glad the proposal had been brought before Synod by an old Te Aute boy.— The'Rev. F. Bennett hoped the Trustees would not allow the pendulum to swing too far. He would not like to see the opportunity taken away from clever Maori boys of being trained for the learned professions. — The Rev. M. W. Butterneld pointed out that even if the Te Aute Trustees made Te Aute an agricultural school purely and simply (which they were not likely to do) clever Maori boys would still have the opportunity of being fully trained for the University at Waerenga-a------hika. The Trustees at Waerenga-a------hika had been trying to provide an agricultural education at the Native College for five years, and m spite of all kinds of difficulties and want of facilities, had had some success ; but Te Aute possessed all the facilities necessary, and if Te Aute would take over the agricultural work Waerenga-a-hika was prepared to carry on the secondary work. — His Lordship the Bishop said he would like very much to «cc Waerenga-a-hika and Te Aute working hand m hand as two departments of 'one great institution. He was entirely m favour of the motion.— The motion was carried Mr. Fielder's motion regarding Church Tees was amended on the motion of Archdeacon Williams to read : " That the scale of fees be reviewed, and if necessary revised by the Standing Committee." — This was carried. The Rev. Canon Tuke moved, " That this Synod expresses its appreciation of the faithful services of Mr. Robinson, lay missionary, to the men engaged on the railway works m the remote parts of the Diocese." — Several clergy spoke of the great work' that was being done by Mr. Robinson, and the appreciation it had received from the

railway men.— The. Bishop saftd he had heard a great deal of praise from the people among whom Mr. Robinson worked. The Rev. G; W. Wilson moved, " That the grateful thanks of this Synod be accorded to the Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock for his labours on behalf of the Bishopric Endowment Extension Fund." — Seconded by Mr. Sheath and carried. "The Yen. Archdeacon Williams moved, "That this Synod thanks , Aftmighty God for the faithful work] of the Rev. Canon Fox, and desires to express its sympathy with his wife' and children m their bereavement. — Archdeacon Williams said Canon Fox had been a great scholar of very high attainment and very keen intellect, a man full of humility and consideration for others. He detailed his work' m this and other Dioceses. He was a man of the highest principle, full of simple devotion and saintliness, utterly unsparing of himself m doing good work for others. He denied himself, giving away even his clothes to those who he . thought needed them. — Seconded by the Rev. h. Dawson Thomas, who spoke of the affection still felt for Canon Fox m Gisborne, and carried. The Rev. F. A. Bennett moved " That this Synod desires to place upon record its appreciation of the life and work of the late Revs. Nikora Tautau and Paraone Turei, and that the President be respectfully requested to convey the sympathy of this Synod to their widows and families." No words could express the sense of loss that the Maori people felt at the death of the Revs. Nikora Tautau and Paraone Turei. Nikora Tautau was well known throughout New Zealand. He was the itiost eloquent of all the Maori ministers m New Zealand. Nikora died m harness ; he was ordered to rest last year, but persisted m working. Paraone Turei was one of the most promising of the younger generation of Maori clergy, and was able to speak fluently m either English or Maori. He would be very greatly massed on the East Coast. Sympathy would g-O' forth to his old father, Mohi Turei, m the loss of his son, and also of a daughter, within a few months. — The Yen. Archdeacon H. W. Williams said both these men had been trained by him for Holy Orders, both were working m his archdeaconry, and both 1 were' among his dearest friends. The death of Nikora Tau-

taii had made a great impression on the people of the district. The Archdeacon spoke of Nikora's great genius for overcoming opposition, and his astonishing readiness of wit. He disarmed opposition m a marvellous way. Paraone Turei was a very promising young man., whose chief fault was his great modesty, a good worker, keen lor his people's welfare, and loyal to the . , Church. — Taimona Hapimana referred to Nikora Tautau's courage. . At some of the gatherIngs m the Waikato there were about 600 people, some of whom delighted m talking of things that ougnt not to Be spoken of m public. Nikora, under these circumstances, showed great courage m facing it all, and would continually change .the* subject when it became objectionable. Nikora had a marvellous patience. He accompanied the chiefs m their tours. On one occasion, when two casks of beer had been placed before their party. Nikora saw it was impossible to stop the people over-drinking, so he declared he would act as steward himself, and divided the liquor out m moderation. He saw that was the only way of keeping them from intoxication. His action would have been impossible but for his great courage. As a result of Nikora's ministry there were now many Parishes with ministers and Churches m the Waikato. Bishop Williams confirmed 64 candidates m the Waikato District. The Waikato people were greatly distressed at Nikora's death.— The Rev. Digby Wilson said he had known many Native clergy m Africa and m New Zealand, but he had, never respected one as he did Nikora. Paraone Turei had been his. particular friend. His death was deeply felt. — The Rev. B. Davidson had found Nikora rather as a father than as a brother. He had been of great assistance to him. — The motion was carried, all members standing. On the motion of the Bishop, the Synod passed a resolution of sympathy with Canon and Mrs. Mayne. on the severe illness 01 their daughter, and assured them of their prayers. : , The following motions .were also carried :-— (1.) Mr. F. W. Williams moved : '"That m the opinion of this Synod it is desirable that General Synod Canon 2 Table v A be amended by altering the procedure for nominating Pastors. This Synod sug-

gests that m lieu of Diocesan add Parochial nominators a Patronage Board might be set tip, with- the Bishop as ex-oflicio Chairman,-con-sisting of, say, ;two Clergymen and two Xvaymeh elected by Synod/ which shall submit one, two, or more names to the Churchwardens and Vestry of any Parish or Parochial Districts requiring a Pastor. (2.) The Yen. Archdeacon Ruddock moved : " (a) That it be a recommendation to the Trustees of the Hawke's Bay Trust to withhold from lease the properties recently occupied as temporary premises for the Hukarere Girls' School, m order that such may be available for Diocesan purposes, (b) That a fair rental shall be paid by the Diocese to the above Trust for the use of such grounds and buildings, (c) . That the Bishop be asked to arrange as soon as may be convenient, with the concurrence of the Standing Committee, for the services of trained workers for the furtherance of charitable, educational, and social work. (3.) On the motion of the Yen. Archdeacon Williams, a Printing Committee was appointed to superintend! the publication of the proceedings of Synod, and to make arrangements with respect to the printing for next year, the Committee to consist of Archdeacon Ruddock, Canon Mayne, Messrs. J. B. Fielder, F. W. Williams, and the mover. The Bishop appointed Archdeacon Williams, Archdeacon, Tisdall, the Rev. F. W. Chatterton, the Rev. F. W. Martin, the Rev. M. W. Butterfield, Mr. J. Thornton, Mr. R. Gardiner, and Dr. Henley as , a Committee to study social problems and report to Synod, , Motions of thanks were passed to the Boundaries Commission, especially Archdeacon Ruddock, to the Williams family for their generous assistance of the Bishopric Endowment Fund, and to Napier hosts who> had so kindly hospitised visiting clergy. , After prayers and the blessing, the Synod adjourned at 10.30 p.m.