THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1282, 10 November 1911, Page 5

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

oFINANCIAL OTJTLOOK. (By Telecraph— Press Association.) Duncdin, November 9. The business of the Presbyterian General Assembly was commenced this morning. The Rev. G. Lindsay, who was installed cis Moderator last night, presided. Tho treasurer's statement set forth that congregational contributions amounted to .£22,107 7s. 5d., this being an increase of .£356 10s. Bd. over the amount for tho previous year. Donations and legacies bad been larger than usual. Attention was again drawn to tho state of tho Knox College fund, a sum of being due to Professor liewitson for salary up to June 30. Tho beneficiary funds showed a substantial increase. Eight; members joined tho Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund, and 11 joined tho Widows' and Orphans' I'und. During tho year one member had been removed from both funds through ceasing to be a minister of tho church. Amounts owing by him havo been written off. Attention was again directed to the regulation which provides for tho cutting-off from tho funds of members who aro two years in arrears with subscriptions. This will at once affect about 20 members of both funds unless they reduce their indebtedness, or the assembly take steps for their relief. Tho report also stated that, in view of tho law regarding compensation, it would bo worth whilo to consider whether all deacons' courts, committees of management, and missions' committees should not bo advised to insure ministers and missionaries acainst risk of accident. Tho income of tlio Assembly Expenses fund has fallen to about ,EIOO below the expenditure for tho year. Tho cost of railway travelling has largely increased.

The Rev. Mr. Cowie, treasurer, emphasised tho bad stato of tho Knox College fund. Tho salary mentioned was due from tho beginning of February, and there was not a penny to meet it. Tho statement, which was adopted, was supplemental by a summarised balancesheet of Hie affairs of the church. This showed that the total sum concerned ill the year's transactions was <£122,813 3s. sd.

The report of tho Church Property Trustees was adopted. Mr. Campbell anouneed an offer by a gentleman in Hawke's Bay to givo seven acres of land as a site for a school for girls. Tho site was worth J2OOO, and would bo given froo of all expense, but thero was a condition that building operations should bo commenced within 12 months. It was decided io express gratitudo to Mr. llush Campbell, of Broad Albane, Havelock North, for his offer, and to appoint. a committco to consider and roport on it. The report on tho Women's Training Institute stated that' (hero were six students in the institute, five of whom had completed a full year's study. Three had now finished tho second year. Ono was going into work as a deaconess at Home, another into foreign service at Canton, and a third as travelling secretary for the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, subjcct to tho approval of tlio Assembly.. The report was adopted.