METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 6

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

' FIRST READING OF STATIONS. (Br Teleffraph—Press Associations Auckland, March 2. At the Methodist Conference, tho first reading pf stations included: — Wangauui District.—New Plymouth, John W. Bnrton, a homo missionary, and William Canuell (super.); Waitara, William Wills; Inglewood, E. Cox; Stratford, C. Griffin; liltham, Raymond Richards; Hawera, Fred W. Boys and W. A. Burley, M.A. (supply); Manaia, .T. F. Martin; Capo Egmont, John W. Griffin, at Opunake, and a home missionary at Eahotu; Kaponga, C. Roberts; Wangamii, J. A. Luxford; Aramoho, C. C. Harrison; Rangitikei, J. J. Mather; Sanson and Rongotea, George Frost; Feilding, A. B. Chappell, M.A.; Palmerston North, L. Hudson, T. T. Thomas, 8.A., L. B. Neale; Taihape, W. Lea; Waimarino, J. E. Parsons; Taumarunui, ono wanted; West Coast Maori Mission—Thomas G. Hammond at Opunake, Robert Haddon at Normanby, George Kirkwood at Raetihi, a home missionary at Patea, a home missionary at I'areroa, two deaconesses at Okaiawa; Patea, Kimbolton, and Ohura, North Tnrantiki, home missionaries. I Wellington.—Taranaki Street, John G. Chapman; Karori, J. R. .Clark, H. B. Redstono (super.), Francis W. Isitt (super.); Wellington Central Mission, E. 0. Blamires; Wellington (Thorndon), G. S. Cook; Wellington South, J. Ward; Johnsonville, J. D. M'Arthur; Hutt, S. H. D. Peryraan, Barton, H. Ginger, Samuel J. Garlick (super.); Petone, C. Penny, William Kirk (super); South Wairarapa, A. Hopper; Carterton, Charles 11. Standago; Masterton, Samuel J. Serpoll; a homo missionary at Kuripuni. Napier, Henry L. Blamires; Greenmeadows, Albert F. Burchell; Hastings, Thomas J. Wallis; Gisborne, John A. Lochore; Eketahuna, E. P. Patchett; Dannovirko, Jas. A. Hosking; Levin, T. Francis Jones; Otaki, Robt. B. Blackmore; Wnipawa, William G. Maajin; Woodville, Wm. Beckett; Pahiatua, W. B. Scott; Norsewood, a home missionary. THE NEW COLLEGE. OVER .£7200 SUBSCRIBED. Or Teleffrapli.—Frew As3ulattoH.l Auckland, March 2. At a banquet tendered the delegates to tho Methodist Conference by tho new Theological College committee last night, it was announced that a sum of over =£7200 had been subscribed towards tho building fund of the new college. Promises of .£9OO wero mado in the room.

In his address at the opening of the Methodist Conference at Auckland on Thursday the Rev. G. W. J. Spengo (the retiring president) referred to the scheme, for tho purchase of a site whereon to erect a theological hall. He said ho regarded tho matter of providing suitable premises for the training of students as one demanding tho immediate and sympathetic support of tho entire Church. For a long time the education of tho men called on to fill their pulpits had been seriously handicapped. Makeshift arrangements had proved most unsatisfactory, and, while the church had been spending a considerable sum annually in seeking to secure the equipment of its students for their great life work, the results had not been what the}- should have been, or would lmvo been, under fairer conditions. This was a serious matter, and it was high time that it was generally recognised by their people, that tho standard of training which had obtained in the past would not suffice for the future, and that, unless they strove earnestly and effectually to cope with tho situation, they would presently find themselves hopelessly out of touch with tho [demands of tho age. JSTo better service, could bo rendered to New Zealand Methodism at the present juncture than a liberal dedication of tho wealth of her adherents to this object. A splendid lead had already been given by a few of the laity who'weru deeply convinced of the urgency of tho case, and realised what this scheme meant to the future of the Church's work in this Dominion. This was in a. very special senso tho laymen'a problem, and upon them must test the responsibility of solving it.