DUNSTAN PRESBYTERY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1178, 26 September 1884, Page 3

DUNSTAN PRESBYTERY.

. The Presbytery held its u ; ual meeting at Ophir, on Wednesday,' the 17th. Sederunt : Rev. Messrs Telford, Lothian, Blackie, (vlinisters) ; and Messrs 0 McNeill, and James Paterson, (elders). In the absence of the moibrator (Mr McCosh Smith), Mr Telford was called to the chair. The Rev. James Henry, M.A., at present supplying Lauder, was also present.

REPORTS ON DISTRICTS; Mr Blackie, moderator of Wanaka and Hawea district, reported that the Church Extension Committee had, at-the request of the Presbytery, sent Mr James Mackav, a student missionary, to labour in that district, and that Mr Mackay spoke favourably and encouragimriy of the work there. The Presbytery received the report, and thanked the Church Extension Committee for sending Mr Mackay to the work. Mr Paterson, in the absence of Mr McCosh Smith, Moderator of Lander, reported that no settlement bad yet taken place there, and that there had been a miniof preachers sent to to the district; since last meet’ng of Presbytery. Mr Paterson also reported that a site for small church at Beck’s ha t been looked out.. And also that the financial position of the district, considering all circumstances, was good, though the contributions hadsbmewhat decreased. The Presbytery receive t the report, expressed great regret that a satisfactory settlement had not yet taken place at Linder, and earnestly hoped that the Moderntor of Ladder (Mr McCosh. Smith) will soon be able on behalf of the people there, to ask the P.eebytery lo settle an ordained minister over that district at an early date. ' UNION., The following motion on this subject was unanimously a iopted “The Presbytery, "while generally approving of the scheme' of union now remitted to them, resolve as . Billows : Whereas a union of incorporation between the northern ami southern Presbyterian Churches of New Zealand is highly desirable; and whereas repeated efforts have been made for many years past to accomplish the same ; and whereas,' in the minds of some there exist doubts as to the expediency ■ of. its immediate accomplishment-it is therefore left to the consideration of the Synod whether, as a preliminary step tp a, final and complete union, it would not lie advisable that a representative conference of both churches should meet and consider the detailed schema of union now s nt down to .Presbyteries ; and further, -whether, in thcevent of failure of present efforts for a union of incorporation, through want of unanimity andenthu sirirtin, it would not also be most desirable to enter into an immediate union of federation as a preliminary step towards an ultimate u ion of ino -rporation.

CHURCH EXTENSION. Tile Presby eiy unanimously'adopted the following amended regulations in lieu of those remitted by Synod • 1. For the purpose of aiding Church Extension and encouraging the fo.mation and settlement of new charges, the following regulations ate submitted to the Synod for approval : 1. All charges contributing re minimum of Ll5!) per annum for ministerial support, shall be recognised as Church Extension Charges. 2. The Presbytery, with concurrence of the Church Extension Committre. shall have power to ordain or indues over such charge any Minister or probationer of the Church for periods of not less than one year or more than three, provided that at the expiry of such terms a renewal of the same may he effected, and that in all such cases no objection'is raised by toe people. 3. That the salaries of ministers in such charges shall he supplemented by the bus tentation Fnnd up to L2OO per annum. 4. That the thinly peopled an I new districts where there is need-for a minister, and where there is difficulty- iu raising Ll5O, the Church Extension Committee may give a contribution not exceeding 1.15 per annum to make up the minimum, in order that such district* may receive the usual grant from the Sustention fund in such cases.

6. That Ministers of such charges shall have full stains in Presbytery ami Synod. 7. That every such district shill bn provided with a cottage manse or its equivalent. That with a view to increase the funds of the Church Extension Commit tee to at lea t L6OO per annum, a circular shall be regularly issued and distributed throughout the congregations, ca'ling m to the work and wants'of the scheme. 9. That an appeal bumadeto the wealthier members of the Church to raise a fund such as would give a new point of departure in prosecuting this work more effectually. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS FUND The scheme on this subject remitted to Presbyteries was generally approved of, but no amendments were suggested. MISCELLANEOUS. ■ _ Several applications for grants were sanctioned as usual according to regulations. The Presbytery adopted a r solution sympathising with the Rev. William B;'UHerman, Synod Clerk, who has . through accident been incapacitated for active labour in the Church which ho has so long and faithfully served. . The clerk was instructed to forward copy of the same to Mr Bannebman. The usual vote of thanks to the Warden for use of court house was passed,' and the Presbytery adjourned to meet at Alexandra in November. : . ,