METHODISTS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 138, 6 March 1920, Page 6

METHODISTS CONFER

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS. By Telegrapli—Press Association. Auckland, 'March 5. : At .the .Methodist Conference it was agreed to . amalgamate" the Qtago and Southland 'districts' into one* district, to be known as tlio Otngo-Southland district. Celebrations in connection with the approaching centenary of the introduction of Methodism and the establishment of the first, methodist Mission in New Zealand were considered. It was decided tlint the 1022 Conference bo the Centenary Conference. The Centenary Celebration Committee's report, which was approved, contained proposals for suitable religious services and nublic gatherings throughout the whole-Dominion. It was also agreed that on-: the Sunday nearest to June -8 itlu» .date of the first Methodist ih- New Zealand) - thanksgiving services-should bo held in the churches, and "special gatherings during the week following. A Centenary Thanksgiving Fund of JMOlflOO; is-"to be allocated: as\ follows:— Superannuation fund. ,£85(10: Theological College; iiPinC.' church building , and. loan fund, -• £68001): foreign missions,.. i£5000; '.Wesley TnhiDft College, .£3000; deaconess work.'. £3000: local preachers'-work; X1COO: .Meinoripl Church jit-Kaeo-XlSOO: .workins expenses, .filoOO;.' «nd unallocated, Ja'Ofl.' : . ■ In. connection with the statement made •at- the conference, yesterday: that prom-' ises of .towards the College. Fund .were, largely, -infulfilled. an exnlanation is now ' forthcoming. It appears that in to "iso. had th»r(> heenany repudiation of p"OTuises.. The delav in the pay-■meiit-of .fSMO-was." due to the scheme to • h«iW the- VJw" ''"'""ed. witn a View .to securing .a site' nearer-to the ■ University- than .the existing one at Ep"som. '■