ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2720, 27 January 1910, Page 5

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

DEAN FITOHETT ANNOYED

[Pan Puess Association.l WELLINGTON, Jan. 26. In the earlier stages of tho Anglican Synod, Dean Fitchett introduced a Bill dealing with the hoard of theological studies, which was rejected. Later a similar bill came under discussion, and the Pean took occasion to refer to the treatment his bill had received. He said he had made a mistake, but possibly there was less excuse for him than anybody else, seeing that ho was one. of the oldest members of the Synod. “I counted too much on the intelligence of the Synod, and also too much on their courtesy. That was the mistake I made.” MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. The Primate presided at the resumed sitting of the Anglican General Synod. The forerunners of the general mission, which is commencing in New Zealand in September next, tne Rev. Canon Pollock and the Rev. H. A. Kennedy, were welcomed by the Primate, and accorded a seat in the Synod. Canon Pollock, in addressing tho Synod, said that they had come out to stir up the people and clergy of New Zealand to go on with God’s work, and to give what advice they could to the clergy and laity in the preparation for the mission, wliicli was a very serious undertaking. The Rev. H.A. Kennedy also addressed the Synod, stating that tho mission must come primarily from themselves, and not from the missionaries.

The Committee on Trusts recommended (1) that the Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees be given authority to sell town section 29, Blackhead, the whole of the proceeds to be paid to the capital account of the Hawke’s Bay Trust; (2) that the Wellington Diocesan Board be empowered to sell section 3, Martinborough, the entire proceeds to be devoted to the purchase of land convenient to the requirements of Martinborough and approved by the trustees. The interrupted debate on the rnotion of the Bishop of Christchurch regarding the proposed alteration of the con. stitution was resumed by Mr. C. J. Tunics, who mentioned that it would be a breach of faith to attempt to make any alteration as had been suggested. The debate was carried on by the Rev. T. H. Sprott, who considered that they now had no constitution, and that each bishop could authorise what rule he liked in any diocese. Canon Mac Murray spoke strongly against the motion, contending that the church as a whole was not wanting what was asked for.

The debate had not concluded when the afternoon adjournment intervened, and had to be again adjourned. The bill proposed by Mr. C. H. Statham in the direction of doing away with the limitation of the maximum number of vestrymen was rejected 911 the second reading as being undesirable and unworkable. Mr. C. J. Tunics moved the second reading of a bill to repeal Title B, Canon 1, clauses 1 to 16, the whole object of which was to return to the method of election bv the church people themselves of their representatives for the General Synod instead of having them elected as at present by the Diocesan Synods. Under the latter system the electors had parted with their right of having direct representation.—The bill was rejected. A new method of electing commissioners on the Standing Committee is proposed in the Bill introduced by Mr. T. F. Martin to amend title 6, Canon IV.. the second reading of which he moved. In the past it has been the practice to appoint the whole of the five commissioners from the diocese in which the Primate for the time being has his See. Looking) at the importance of the General Synod, it was considered that the Synod should have the range nf the whole ecclesiastical province, hence the introduction of the hill Other amendments were proposed. The bil] was reported from committee. the third reading being set down for Monday next.