ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2717, 24 January 1910, Page 3

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

THE MAORI MISSION

Cl*Bit Phkss Association.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. \ The general synod was resumed yesterday. The report of the Maori Mission Board was read. It stated that in spite of adverse criticism tlio result of the work of the board had been of_ no little assistance to the Maori Mission, and had been of great benefit to the church. In those directions in which it was intended to work, the creation of interest, the dissemination of information, and the raising of necessary funds, it could be claimed that the board had fulfilled its obligations and done valuable service. The accounts showed a credit on December 31st last of £6 16s 6d, since when one diocese had paid the sum of £166. Others were in arrears. The report was received, notice being given by Bishop Julius to introduce a new canon for a scheme of reconstruction of the board. This proposes that the board shall consist of one .bishop, two clergymen in priests’ orders, and two laymen, with power to add to their number, the members to be elected triennially, the duties of the board to be to promote an interest in the mission, to raise and receive funds, to transmit such sums as are given for special purposes and to' apply other funds received for evangelistic work amongst the . Maoris, to obtain from each diocese, a full report of all work done therein for the native population, and particularly of finance. THE PRIMACY. Leave whs given to the Ven. Archdeacon Williams to introduce a bill to give practical effect to the recommendations of the commission on matters connected with tlie primacy. These were that in future the bishop succeeding to the primacy shall be styled archbishop and primate of New Zealand; also that only one ballot shall be taken. The bill was read a first time, the second (reading being sot down for Thursday next. A hill providing for the making of certain consequential amendments in the constitution consequent upon the consolidation of the New Zealand statutes was read a first time. An alteration to Canon V., Clause 6, is proposed in a Bill introduced by Mr. T. F. Martin the object of which is to clear up a doubt which exists in the canon regarding the'appointment of churchwardens. The bill was read a first time. »

The printing committee, was instructed to obtain certain particulars of educational, charity, and other institutions' of rescue homes in each diocese belonging wholly, or in part, to this ecclesiastical province. The Ven. Archdeacon Harper and Bishop Neligan commented upon the great amount of ignorance of the work done by the Anglican Church in connection with charitable and other institutions. The latter pointed out that a considerable amount of subscriptions was lost to their own particular institutions by being devoted to those of other denominations, mainly on account of the prevailing ignorance. Bishop Neligan said he did not wish to interfere with tlie revenue of other denominations, but their own institutions should have their first consideration of support. THE WANGANUI ACRE.

Archdeacon Jacobs moved —“Tfio> this Synod directs the Wellington Qiocesan Board of trustees to lease such purtions of the Wanganui Church acre not required for church purposes, and to apply the proceeds therefrom towards erecting a church at St. John’s, and towards purchasing land and erecting a church thereon at Gonville, and for such other purposes as the Diocesan Synod shall from time to time direct, provided that the- portion of the acre leased shall be carefully dug over, and any remains of bodies found therein shall be buried in.- the other portion, and provided also that after provision has been made for the above purposes, tlie proceeds shall be hold by the Diocesan Board of Trustees in trust for the benefit of the whole of the district of Wanganui, comprising the parish of Wanganui, and the parochial district of Aramoho, Waitotara, and the Wanganui parochial district, to be allocated as the Diocesan Synod of Wellington may from time to time direct, and that the Diocesan trustees be empowered to promote a Bill in Parliament to give effect to tlie resolution.” It was explained, by the mover that though the church possessed a- valuable acre in tlie centre of Wanganui, the work of the parish was being restricted for want of funds. There was no evidence that the land was consecrated. The proposal to sell had been rejected by the Diocesan Synod, and hence the appeal to the General Synod. The needs of the parish would be better supplied by the three churches proposed than by a single church on the acre.

Doan Fitchett moved as an amendment to refer the question to a committee.

The Bishop of Wellington seconded the amendment. He was thoroughly opposed to Archdeacon Jacobs in the matter. The proposal had been char-

acterised by the Diocesan, trustees as sacrilogious, in view of the fact that the land was placed in trust to be consecrated for a church and burial ground. Mr. T. F. Martin outlined the legal position at length. He said it was probable that no burial had taken place in the acre for the last sixty years, while it was improbable that the ground was ever consecrated.

In a lengthy discussion, Mr. J. W. Henderson, said tlie section was being desecrated everv day by barrels or beer being rolled over a. portion of it, now leased as a right-of-way to the Wanganui Club; also by.dogs running over "it and children playing on it. The amendment was carried, and a select committee- set up- to deal with the- matter.

The second reading of a Bill for the constitution, of a College of Theology was rejected. The debate on the proposals to adopt, the New South Wales system of! religious instruction in schools was unfinished when the Synod, rose till Monday.