DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 434, 3 November 1875, Page 2

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Tuesday, November 2, The President took his seat at 4 p.m., and opened the proceedings with prayer, CHURCH TRUST ESTATES. The President said that before the business of the day was proceeded with he wished to make a few remarks on the subject which had been discussed with regard to thp ipanagement of the Church Property Trust and Diocesan Funds. The select committee had reported that they had not had sufficient time at their disposal to make a complete investigation. Certain resolutions were passed, but he did not think sufficient had been done in the matter; yet there was a strong feeling in the Synod, and also amongst the public, that something should be done, therefore he had a proposal to make which he trusted would be approved. His proposal was as follows “That a commission, consisting of three persons, being laymen, members of the Church, who have not at any time been trustees of any Church property in this diocese, or members of the standing committee of the diocese, or auditors of the Church accounts, be appointed to examine into and take evidence in writing respecting the state and general manage ment of the Church Trust Property, and also of the trust property vested in the Diocesan Board of Trust, and also of the property and moneys which have been and are under the control and ad ministration of the standing committee of the diocese, and to report thereupon in writing to the Bishop, one of such persons to be selected by each order, and to be appointed by vote of the Synod. That the Bishop on receiving such report proceed to lay the same before the standing committee, who shall at its discretion either cause tin report to be published in any mannei

it may think fit, or recommend to the Bishop that he convene a special meeting of the Diocesan Synod for the purpose of considering the report. That the commissioners be entitled to be paid for their time and services in the same manner as arbitrators, and that the expense of the commission and publishing the report be paid by the Church Property Trustees out of moneys belonging to the trust.” If the Synod approved of that proposal, he trusted that a resolution would be proposed to carry it into effect. CHURCH PROPERTY TRUSTEES. The Synod then proceeded to fill up two vacancies in the Church Property Trustees, when Messrs G. Gordon and W. Donald were elected by ballot. THE CHURCH NEWS. Mr Hamilton moved—“ That the Church News should be dist nctly regarded as the organ of the diocese.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Hamilton moved—“ That the Church Work Extension Committee be recommended to grant a subsidy of £SO per annum to the paper, to commence from the Ist October, 1875.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Hamilton moved payment of the £237 15s 6d to the Bishop be made a first charge on the property and profits of the paper.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Hamilton moved —“ That the committee of management to be appointed by the Synod shall have entire control of the editorial and the business departments of the paper.” Archdeacon Harper moved as an amendment.—“ That the committee of management to be selected by the Synod shall have the financial control of the paper, and shall appoint an editor who shall alone be responsible as editor for the conduct of the paper. The Synod divided on the amendment : Ayes—rOlergy ... 16 Laity... 4 Noes—r Clergy ... 4 Laity.,. 15 The amendment was therefore lost. The Synod divided on the original resolution : Ayes-rr-Clergy ... 9 Laity... 12 Noes—Clergy ... 11 Laity... 6 The original resolution was consequently lost. Mr Hamilton moved—That the Bishop should have a right of veto on the acts of the committee of management." The motion was agred to. Mr Hamilton moved—“ That the clergy, church officers, and the laity generally be invited to co-operate in promoting the interests of the paper, either byj| helping to circulate it, by accepting agencies, and by obtaining advertisements for it.” The motion was agreed to. EXPLANATION. Mr Mellish said he wished to make a personal explanation on what was reported to have taken place on Friday evening. As it appeared in the papers, the Archdeacon of Akaroa was reported to have said that the committee had treated him like an old drunken rowdy. He (Mr Mellish) understood the Archdeacon to say that he (Mr Mellish) had treated him as a drunken rowdy. Arch(ies.coq Willock—That is what I did say. Mr Mellish sajd this was a qharge of such a nature that it was right the circumstances of the case should,be placed before the public, so that they might judge whether such a remark was justified or not. [Hear, hear.] When Archdeacon Willock was before the committee one of the members remarked, whilst the subject of the power of attorney given to the late church steward was undei consideration, “ that it gave pretty comprehensive powers, and that Mr Pavitt appeared to have done pretty much as he liked.” Archdeacon Willock, in a very excited state, said *■ J will allow no man to make such a statement in my presence.” He (Mr Mellish) thereupon said he would not allow a member of the committee to be spoken to in that way; that a little order must be maintained. Now, he would ask whether the circumstances justified the assertion by Archdeacon Willock that he (Mr Mellish) had treated him as an old drunken rowdy. [Hear, hear. |

Archdeacon Willock said that the facts as stated by Mr Mellish were very nearly correct. A remark was made to him that Mr Pavitt had done just as he liked. He (Archdeacon Willock) said that it was not the case, and that no man had the right to make such a remark. He could see that the committee had come there with a preconceived determination in their mind, and the whole bent of their enquiry was— Rev H. C, Watson would submit that the Archdeacon was out of order. The President said that Archdeacon Willock had better keep to the point. Mr Cowlishaw submitted that Archdeacon Willock should withdraw his words. Archdeacon Willock said he would not withdraw them at present. He attended that committee to give evidence. He was one of the trustees, and the charge was made against them that they had not exercised proper control over their agent, and this remark was made in a most insulting way. It was the tone and manner in which he was addressed that he felt, He had never before been addressed in such a manner, and he would not take it from any man—no matter where. It only wanted for him to be told that he was committed for contempt of Court, and to be given into the custody pf a policeman. If he had withdrawn and refused to give further evidence, it might have been said that he was trying to burk enquiry, otherwise he should have taken up his hat and walked out. THE CHURCH NEWS. On the motion of Mr Mclntyre, the Synod proceeded to elect three clergymen and three laymen as members of the Neiv Zealand Church News management committee. The ballot was taken, and the Synod adjourned for refreshment, as the scrutineers retired to examine the result. On the Synod resuming, the Order of the Day was called on, DIOCESAN STATUTE NO. 3 AMENDMENT BILL. The Synod went into committee on this Bill, Rev B. A. Lingard in the chair. The Bill was reported with amendments and the third reading made an Order of the Day for to morrow at 7.30 p.m. STATUTE NO, 2 AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of the Rev Canon Cotterill, this Bill, the object of which is to repeal clauses 6 and 7 of the statute, was read a second time, passed through committee, and was reported. ASSISTANT-CURATES’ REGULATION AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of the Dean this Bill was read a second time, passed through committee, was reported with amendments, and ordered to be read a third time to-morrow j

CHURCH NEWS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, The President announced the result of the ba’lot as follows:—The Dean, Rev E. A. Lingard, Rev H. B. Carlyon. Laity: Messrs Tancred, Mclntyre, Cowlishaw, INSPECTOR OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS. Rev F. Knowles moved—“ That the Church Property Trustees be requested to place at the disposal of the diocesan education committee sufficient funds for the travelling expenses of an inspector of Sunday schools.” The consideration of the question was postponed until to-morrow. Notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned until 4 p.m. this day.