DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 437, 6 November 1875, Page 3

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Thursday, November 4. The President took his seat at 4 p.m,, and opened the proceedings with prayer. PAPERS. The President laid before the Synod a statement of accounts furnished by the friends of the late Church Steward relative to the expenditure of the money that had been lost ; a letter from the accountant, and a letter from the brother of the late Church Steward, which were read. REVISION OF SYNODICAL PROCEEDINGS. Rev E. A. Lingard, moved “ That the Synod proceed to revise the resolutions standing on the ‘Report of Proceedings, 1874,’ and determine which of them shall be printed in the 1 Report of Proceedings, 1875.’ ” The motion was agreed to, and the revision made accordingly. CHURCH PROPERTY TRUST ESTATE AND DIOCESAN FUNDS. Mr Gresson said he had given notice to move—“ That the plan proposed by the President for the appointment of a commission to inquire into the past management of the Church Property Trust Estate, and other diocesan properties

and funds, be adopted by the Synod,” After briefly sketching the plan proposed by the President, Mr Gresson said he would propose an addition which had been suggested to him, and which was “ also to make such recommendations as may appear to the commissioners most likely to secure the management of the trust estate in the most profitable manner.” He thought that the only objection that could be made to this plan was on the ground of the expense; but in this case he believed that the expenditure would be money well laid out, inasmuch as it was desirable that a complete and full investigation should be made, to satisfy the public mind, which was hardly content with the existing state of things ; moreover, .it might be the means of bringing about an improved management. Instead of moving the resolution as printed in the notice paper, he would move—“ 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 management of the Church Trust Property, and also of the trust property vested in the Diocesan Board of Trust, and also of the property and monevs which have been and are under the control and administration of the standing committee of the diocese, and to report thereupon in writing to the Bishop ; also to make such recommendations as may appear to the commissioners most likely to secure the management of the trust estate in the most profitable manner.” The motion was agreed to.

Mr Gresson moved —“That one of such persons be selected by each order, and be appointed by vote of Synod.” Rev Canon Cotterill suggested that the commission of three persons be selected by a committee, consisting of the Bishop, one clergyman, and one layman, appointed by the Synod. Mr Malet suggested that no person who had been in any way connected with the executive or the management of these estates or funds should be a member of the commission.

Rev E. A. Lingard thought that the appointment should be made by the Synod. The Dean was of opinion that the appointment of the commission be made according to the plan proposed by the Bishop, and that if any of the gentlemen so appointed should decline to act, then the Bishop with the Rev Mr Cocks and Mr Gresson be empowered to fill up the vacancy or vacancies. He would move an amendment to that effect.

Mr Malet seconded the amendment, which was agreed to. Mr Gresson moved—“ That the Bishop on receiving such report proceed to lay the same before the standing committee, who shall either cause the report to be published in any manner which they may think fit, or at their discretion recommend to the Bishop that he convene a special meeting of the Synod for the purpose of considering it; or act upon it in such a manner as to them shall seem fit.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Gresson moved—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 of the publishing the report if necessary, be paid by the Church Property Trustees out of the moneys belonging to the Trust.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Gresson moved—“ That the Synod do proceed to the appointment of the commission, the clerical and lay members to retire for the purpose into separate chambers.” The motion was agreed to. The orders then retired, and on the re-as-sembling of the Synod, the laity recommended Mr E. C. J, Stevens ; the clergy recommended Mr H. Matson, senr, and the President recommended Mr W. D, Wood. The Synod, by a unanimous vote, affirmed the recommendations. FORMS OF LICENCE AND DECLARATION. The Dean moved—“ That the forms of licence of incumbent and officiating minister, and the forms of declaration, laid on the table by the president, or so much of them as may seem fit to the standing committee, be printed in the Appendix of the Synod Report,” The motion was agreed to, TRAVBLLLING EXPENSES OP THE CLERGY. Rev F. A. Hare', for Rev F. T. Opie moved —“ That the Church work extension committee be requested to take into consideration the possibility of carrying out during the ensuing year the resolution adopted by the Synod at its last session with reference to the travelling expenses of the clergy.” The motion was agreed to. REVISION OP STANDING ORDERS. Hon J. B. Acland moved—“ That the statutes having been already referred to the standing committee for revision, it is desirable that the standing orders also be referred to the same committee forthe same purpose, and that their attention be drawn to the desirability of some alteration of the standing orders relating to the order of business and the election of committees.” The motion was agreed to. SUSPENSION OP STANDING ORDERS. Rev Canon Cotterill moved—“ That standing orders Nos 14, 32, 33, 34, and 36, be suspended.” The motion was agreed to, THIRD READINGS, The following Bills were read a third time and passed—Diocesan Statute No 3 Amendment Bill, Assistant Curates Regulations Amendment Bill, Statute No 2 Amendment Bill, Registration of Electors Bill. STATUTE NO 3 AMENDMENT BILL, SCHEDULE B. This Bill was read a second time, passed through committee, and was read a third time, and passed, FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and having passed through committee with an amendment, was read a third time and passed. REGULATIONS ON CAPITULAR BODY AMENDMENT BILL, This Bill 1 was read a second time, passed through committee, and was read a third time and passed.

CLASSIFICATION OP PARISHES AND PAROCHIAL DISTRICTS. The Classification of Parishes and Parochial Districts Bill was read a second time, amended in committee, and was read a third time and passed.| VOTES OP THANKS. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr H, Sewell for his liberal donation of £250 as an endowment for the district of Addington, to the clerical and two lay secretaries, the reporters of the Press and Lyttelton Times, and the Governing Body of Christ College for the use of the library for holding the session. CONCLUSION OP THE SESSION. The president thanked the members for their attendance, and expressed his confidence that although during the debates some strong expressions may have been used, yet no ill feeling would be retained or result. He then pronounced, the Benediction, and the session terminated.