PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3932, 26 February 1884, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, This day,

At last night's meeting, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Patorson, seconded by the Rev. Mr Ogg, it was agreed to grant power to baptize to student evangelists at Wairoa, Riwaka, and Now Plymouth. At the request of the clork, the Revs. Messrs Sommerville, Paterson. Gillies, and Sidey were appointed a Scholarship Committee. Oα the motion of the Rev. Mr Paterson it was agreed to hold the next meeting of the Assembly at Christchurch, to commence on the 3rd Tuesday of February, 1885. The Rev. Mr Treadwell presented the annual report on foreign missions, which was of a very encouraging character. He announced the appointment of an additional missionary for the New Hebrides at the expense of this Church. The Rev. Mr Sidey presented the report of the board for examining candidates for the Ministry, expressing satisfaction with the progress of the students. The report was adopted. The report of the Maori missions was read by the Rev. Mr Alls worth. It expressed regret that the committee had no progress to report, and stated that one of the missionaries, Mr Honore, was not acting- up to the expressed wish of the committee, he having taken up his residence at Foxton, which was out of his district, instead of at Marton as requested. The committee asked that his services be not continued. After a long discussion it was left with tho committee to do as they pleased, with Mr Honore, but with a recommendation not to deal harshly Avith him. :

At the Assembly to-day the report of the church trustees was given in and adopted. The report of the committee on union was called for and re-affirmed the decision of the last Assembly. The Rev. J. Paterson, the Moderate, and Mr James Smith were appointed deputies to Otago next year. Mr Steele, as student, and .Mr Hay were authorised to be examined with the view of obtaining a license. The report of the board of examiners was adopted. Overtures from Tiinaru re an itinerary evangelist were received, and the Timaru Presbytery was appointed to bring Aip a report to the next Assembly. . The Presbyteries were ordered to visit tho congregations presbyterially next year. The church properties committee was ordered to prepare, a report. Standing committees were appointed re collection and statistics. ,