CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1047, 13 September 1883, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

At the quarterly meeting of the Christ church Presbytery yesterday the Rev. A, M. Beattie (Moderator) presided.

Amongst other business a letter was read from the Rangitata district, requesting the Presbytery to defer the consideration of Mr M'Lennan’s request re severance of the district, and requesting that Mr McLennan be asked to call a congregational meeting, and to arrange for a meeting at Springburn of delegates from Alford Forest, Mount Somers, and Methven.

Mr M'Lennan explaimed that the letter was not the outcome of a regular Committee meeting, but of a sort of private gathering of a few persons. The Moderator reported that he had visited Lismore with Mr M'Lennan, but that only three persons were present, which he thought showed great apathy, as, though the night was somewhat wet, the weather was not so bad as to have prevented people from attending if so disposed. None of the residents in the district were at the present meeting, and so the presbytery was left somewhat in the dark as to their wishes. He might state that the opinions of the three persons who met at Lismore were not quite identical

Mr M'Lennan stated that the only unanimous opinion was in favor of junction of Rangitata with Longbeach, Mr Elmslie moved—“ That Rangitata be disjoined from Mr M'Lennan’s charge and united for the time being to Longbeach, and that a minister be sent as soon as possible to the new field." He explained that the proposed arrangement was only of a temporary character, and stated that he would be glad to hear the opinions of Messrs Beattie and McLennan on the subject.

Mr Beattie said that the motion expressed what had been his own idea on the subject. His only difficulty was that there were no persons from Rangitata or Longbeach present, though he had done all in his power to induce some of them to attend. If the motion were carried in their absence, therefore, there would be no guarantee as to the payment of the minister.

Mr Elmslie thought that the motion would go very well as a recommendation. Mr Dinwiddle would second the motion if Mr Elmslie would it conditional on obtaining the opinion of the people concerned. Mr Elmslie agreed to do so. A discussion ensued on the subject, during which Mr M'Lennan pointed out 1 hat some time ago the Longbeach people «rere opposed to joining Rangitata. It |was finally resolved to recommend the proposed division of the district, if the people were satisfied with the arrangement, and Mr Beattie was appointed to see the decision if the Presbytery carried out. It was agreed that Mr M'Lennan should take up the work at Lauriston at once. SOUTH RAKAIA. A letter was read from the Directors of the South Rakaia Town Hall Company, stating that the Presbyterian congregation in that locality was indebted to the Company in the sum of L3O for rent of the hall. The debt had been contracted during the pastorate of Mr J. B. Westbrooke. The matter was referred to the Rev. Mr West and Messrs Scott and Gavin, to take what action was thought necessary.