METHODIST CHURCH CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 137, 5 March 1919, Page 6

METHODIST CHURCH CONFERENCE

NEW MINISTERS ADMITTED FIRST READING OF STATIONS By TelesrraDii.—Press Association. Christchurch, March t. At the Methodist Conference the first reading of stations was taken (his afternoon. It was decided that, owing to the date of the licensing poll, the removal of ministers bo deterred till between the third and fourth Sundays in April. Conference agreed to continue for live years the lease of "Dunholme," Auckland, for a theological college. Tho liev. C. 11. Laws was designated to take the duties of principal for iiC'O. In the meantime the Rev. G-. T. Marshall will be acting-principal. Conference decided that a superintending' minister should 'Iμ placed at Taiv mariinuL to generally supervise 'lie work there, and at Ohura, Te Kuiti, and other ylaccs. The tame step was tiiken in aespect to Waimarino, Manaia, Tauranga, and Rotorua agreed to take married ministers. A Native agent was placed at Patoa. Fareqra, Opotiki, and Taihape alto were relieved from taking married ministers.

MatiM'ae Tauroa was received as a Native student for tho ministry.

The Bev. Pnraire B. Paikeu was received into the ministry in his first year of probation. The following were admitted as ministers iiv full connection with the conference :-ilcssrs. O. Burnett, P. T. Cooke, A. J". L. Minific, B. T. Olds, V. T. Harris, and W. G. Slnde. Four of (lie new ministers arc returned soldiers.

The president was authorised to arrange for Mr. 1\ B. Lawrence to be ordained on his α-cturn to New Zealand.

The Eev. A. A. Bcnsley, who was ordained in England, was received into full connection.

Arrangements were made for postordinatiun examinations of men who have been nt the front and who consequently did not kvke their full courses.

The following preachers will remain on proJwtion:—Messrs. 8.. E. Fordyce, W. A. Hocking, 1-1. E; S»ge, W. S. Smith, and E. It. Warburton (t ho have travelled three years), Messrs. J. Ecnnis, F. .1. Parker, A. M. Costain, T. Trent, T. K. Nelson, W. T. Blight, and G. E. Brown (to pass with the others and be regarded as having travelled two years), Messrs. W. S. Neal, J. W. Parker, T. Skuse (to be regarded 45 haying travelled one year). Mr. S. J. Mooridge will remain without pastoral charge for a year. The following candidates for the ministry were received for mining:—Messrs. L. A. G. Brooks and T. 11. Burton.

Messrs. \Y. B. Gumming, W. Gatman, and A. E. Jefferson were received for immediate employment in view of the shortage of men. ' It was decided that married men (should be appointed to places in the following order-.—Mannia, North Shore second (Auckland), Otnluihu, Eotorua, Tau. marunni, Tauranga, and AVaiinnrino. The first reading of stations included the following:— Taranaki-Wanganui District.—Ndw Plymouth, Eevs, ,T. N. Jlilne and 11. L. Richards; North Taranaki Rural Mission, one wanted; Wailarn, Rev. V. B. Lawrence; Inglewnoel, Hev. A. A. Bensley; Stratford, Rev. R. S. Tinsley, one wanted< Eltham, Rev. H. Cotton; Hawera, Rev. A. Liversidgc; Manaia, Rev. H. J. O'Dell; Cupe Egmo.'it. one wanted; Kaponga, Rov. C. Blair (who shall act under the chairman of the district and shall be assisted by a home missionary); Waugnnui, Rev, 11. Blamires, A. M. Costain; Wunganui North, Rev. 1!. Dudley; h'angilikei. Eev. P. J. Cossum; Taihape, Rev, W. H. Hocking; Waiuuirino, Uev. W. S. Neal.

Hawke's Bar-Mnna-.vatu District.—Nanier, Rov. T. Richardson; Hastings, Rev. A. M'Bean; Gisborne, Rev. W. 11. E. Abbey, and one wanted; Waipawa, Rev. C. A. Foxton; Danneyirke, Rev. J. Richards; Woodville, Rev. 11. P. Kealc; Palliatiia, Rev. A. J. L. Jlinifio; Pnlmereton North (Broad Street), Revs. G. S. Cook, W. Gatman; Piilmerston North (Cuba Street), Rev. A. Ashcroft; Feilding, Revs. G. V. Stock-well, W. J. Enticott; Sanson and Ronjotea, Rev. ,1, D. M'Arthur; Foxton, Rev. A. Harding. AVellington District.-Taranaki Street, Rev. J. G. Chnmnnn; AVolliniiton Central Mission, Rev. G. Knowles Smith; Thorndon, Revs. A. Reader, R. E. Fordyce; Wellington South, Revs. E. Drake, J.-T. I'infold, .1. Dawson (with iiermission to net as secretary to New Zealand Alliance) ; Kilbiruie. Rev. ]•'. T. Read; JohnKonville, Rev. W. Rowe; Hutt, R.ev. D. J. Murray; Petone, Ror. B. .1. -James; South Wairarapa, Rev. R. B. Gosnell,- Carterton. Rev. J. Ward; Masterton, Rev. J. Cocker; Ekctahuna, Rov. J. W. Pa.rker; Levin. Rev. .T. Haslam; Otaki, Rev. W. G. Slade.

The annual report of the Tnstitiite for Deaconesses was receirwl. Tho Rev. AV. Beckett was re-elected secretary and Mr. E. lies treasurer.

Tho church building and loan fund committee's report stated that during the year loans totalling .t-2775 had been advanced for the, purpose of erecting new buildings. Ihe reduction of debt. etc. The loans amounted to nearly .fcIOCO more than was advanced in Kil7.