and by them ratified; its basis of authority being that of mutual compact, by which Church people, and especially all office bearers, agree to obey the Constitution and abide by the decisions of its Courts. The Bishop and his advisers saw, what is, as yet, being slowly recognized by many, that the Church in New Zealand has no legal status in the Ecclesiastical Courts at Home, and. must needs look to its own household, and maintain its due order.
Now to explain the practical operation of our Constitution. There are at present five Dioceses in New Zealand, with the missionary diocese of Melanesia. Auckland, with its Bishop, G. A. Selwyn; Waiapu with its Bishop, W. Williams; Wellington, with its Bishop, C. J. Abraham; Nelson, with its Bishop, A. P. Suter; Christchurch, with its Bishop, H. J. C. Harper; Melanesia, with its Bishop, C. J. Patteson. Once in three years a General Synod meets in each diocese, in rotation, consisting of the Bishops, three clergymen, and four laymen chosen by each diocese, the Primate presiding. All business is conducted in accordance with Parliamentary usage, but the voting is by orders; Bishops, Clergy, and Laity voting separately; a majority of votes being necessary in each order to affirm any Bill or Resolution. This method ensures an amount of unanimity in any decision, which could not be obtained in any other way. I give an illustration: a Bill is introduced, read a first and second time, considered in Committee, and finally brought up for its third reading and passing. At each stage of the debate, supposing there are six Bishops, eighteen Clergy, and twenty-four Laity, in order to carry the Bill there must be a majority of four Bishops, ten Clergy, and thirteen Laity; equality
