THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1205, 3 December 1873, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

A special meeting of the Auckland Presbytery was held this morning in St. Andrew's Church. Present : Rev. James Hill (Moderator) ;• Revs; D. Bruce, R. F. Macnicol, J. Mackay, Macrae, McCallum, T. Nome, and P. Mason ;, also, Messrs Rattray, Thomson,; \Vhitson, Sommerville, and Stevenson.. The Rev. Moderator commenced by reading a chapter and offering .prayer. - '. The ; Rev. R. F. Macnicol then read the- * reparfe^pf the last meeting/^ which was' adopted! ; Uppnthe motion of Rev. Mr Macky, th* Rev. Mr Shirriffs, of the province of Marlborough, was invited to take a seat in the Presbytery. . COLLECTION. Rev. Mr'Macrae stated that he had made a collection at Waipu of £9, but had not preyiously forwarded it as it was not possible to do ao. The explanation was accepted aa satisfactory. Tho Rev. D. Bruce remarked| that all the congregations of the province should feel the: necessity of contributing to the Presbytery as a matter of account.? He would move "Thatthe treasurer be requested to write to the -officers of the various congregations to forward their contributions to the Presbytery." This proposition was seconded by Rev J. Macky, and carried. Mr Macrae asked what would be expected from his church, when the Moderator replied £1. '*■' After some remarks from Revs. T. Nome, Jv Macky, and Mr Sommerville, it was thought advisable to let the matter stand over at present, as the amount of collections could not at present be obtained. ' THE REV. J. MARTIN. The Rev. M. Macnicol then read a letter" from Mr James Martin, of Opotiki, respectlng his salary, which wa3 inadequate to his requirements and unequal to his services. The Rev. D. Bruce explained that he had desired Mr Martin to do his best in his district, and he would write to the Church of Scotland, which he had done, requesting that an annual sum of £50 might be given to Mr Martin ; but Mr Martin had shewn a continued disposition for change, and had communicated with him as though he tv in himself the Presbytery. He had done what he could in the matter. The money had not been drawn, and the question waa in the hands of the Presbytery. The Rev. Mr Macnicol said he had not M-V^wn the .money for Mr Martin^ as he JEfclerstood he had left the district. /n^phe Rev. Mr Macky thought that it was ,'.^ga *° make a man' dissatisfied when he , 1S 4to live m a place like Opotiki oh £25 a year. He thought some consideration ahould.be extended to him although he had ' been guilty of some follies. ! The Rev. Mr Bruce said that Mr Martin i WW in receipt of a. faiy average salary from

vc .ions sources, and was not so badly off as nad been represented. somp*L Rev?' D- Bruce and J- Macky ma-le some xemarks upon the question, when the be Wge *tti eniail moved "Tb;it the clerk oe instructed to draw £50, and give to Mr Martin £25 of the same in recognition of his services. m3S? ? eI" T> Norrie thougM that Mr iviartm had, to a certain degree, forfeited acclaim by abruptly leaving Opotiki. Ilie Rev P. Mason thought that Mr Mar .in should be paid for his eight months services. Mr Somroerville seconded the proposition. m f fm, J'Milck J moved asa" amendment: ''That Mr Martin be paid for the wme ot his services iv Opotiki, and that as the minister had left the district the balance should be paid to the"treasurer." •Seconded by Mr Stevenson, and carried. -Uie original motion was therefore lost. Ihe Revs Peter Mason then moved the following overture : —*" That the General Assembly be earnestly solicited to take into consideration the evils of the use of intoxicating drinks, and use their influence for its suppression as far as possible." Mr Mason stated that he should be fully prepared at a future time to speak upon this question at length. Mr Rattray considered the overture .worthy the consideration of the churches, lie would second the resolution, which was carried. The Rev D. Bruce then stated that -up to the present time the supply at the North fehore m place of Rev Mr Mackenzie had with much difficulty been kept up, and it remained with the Court as to future arrangements in relation to that district. Mr Sommfirville said there would be no difficulty for a few Sundays to come in relation to this supply, tie w«uld recommend that it be left over until the January meeting. J Rev. J. Macky agreed with Mr Sommerville, and thought [that North Shore was in no worse condition than Waiuku, and some other places ; and the North Shore people had certainly made no particular effort to retain their minister. The question of supply was then, upon the motion of Mr Sommerville, allowed to stand over for the present. After a few matters of minor interest had been discussed, the meeting was closed by prayer.