METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 7

METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TZCEGBAX.)

DUN ED IN, March 2

At the Methodist Conference to-day tho Revs. Foster and Warburton, probationers in their fourth year, were jioceived into full connexion. Mr Warburton has been in camp as a private, nnd will return immediately after his ordination.

Tho Rev. Rakina Piripi, who has travelled for four years, was received into full connexion as a Native ministpr. .... The Rev. J. R. Sullivan, chaplain in England, passed in his year of probation His health has broken down, and he will soon be released from the New Zealand Forces. Tho Revs. Minifie and Slade, who have travelled for three years, passed in Their third year of probation. Probationers who have travelled for two years and have now passed in their year" were: Oswald Burnett, Robert Fordyce, William Hocking, Ernest Sage, and Charles Kendon. The lastnamed is now in camp. Those who have travelled for one year and were passed are: John Dennis, Frederick Parker, Tom Dent, John Nelson, and Alfred Co stain. The lastnamed is now in camp. It was reported that five students — S. Magridge, E. Olds, W. Smith, W. Blight, and E. Chambers —are with tbe forces. Conferenoe decided that the names of these students be kept on the president's list of reserves.

Conference decided to call on the Government to submit the question of prohibition to a vote of the people without further delay. The Rev. M. Boys moved that, in view of the reports as to the treatment of conscientious objectors, conference request the Minister of Defence td>. set up a Commission of Enquiry. It was stated that the Department denied the allegations of ill-treatment of these men.

After further discussion it was decided to proceed to the next business.

FIRST READING OF STATIONS. The first reading of stations was adopted. I The following is the North Canterbury district list:— Christchurch (Durham street), Rev P. N. Knight. Christchurch (Durham street south), one wanted.

Christchurch East, Rev. E. P. Blamires, Rev. J. D. McArthur, a home missionary, Rev. A. Mitchell (with tfce forces). Cambridge terrace, Rev. J. Cocker, Rev. C. E. Ward.

Woolston, Rev. F. Copeland, Rev. W. J. Williams.

Sydenham, Rev. W, Beckett. Addington, Rev. T. W. Vealie, two home missionaries.

St. Albans, Rev. A. C. Lawry, one wanted, Rev. T. Fee (superintendent). Papanui, Rev. C. Abernethy. Lyttelton, Rev. J. E. Parsons. Maori mission (South Island), Rev. Rakina Piripi. > Springston, Rev. J. Harris. Tai Tapu, Rev. B. Metson. Leeston, Rev. W. Laycock, Rev. H. Grigg (with the forces). Kaiapoi, Rev. W. Ready. Ohoka, Rev. W. W. Avery. Rangiora, Rev. Jas. Guy, one wanted.

Greendale-Malvern, Rev. J. Harris, a home missionary. The following is-the South Canterbury district fist:— Timaru (Bank street), Rev. T. A. .Toughin and supply, Rev. J. Dennis, Rev. J. R. Sullivan (with the forces). Timaru (Woodlands street), Rev. R. J. Liddell.

Waimate, Rev. A. N. Scotter. Temuka, Rev. J. W. Griffin, a home missionary. Geraldine, Rev. G. P. Hunt. Ashburton, Rev. G. Frost, one wanted.

Willowby, Rev. S. Bailey. Oamaru, Rev. J. A. Lochore