DUNSTAN PRE-BYTERY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1255, 19 March 1886, Page 3

DUNSTAN PRE-BYTERY.

The usual regular meeting of this Presbytery was held at Alexandra on Wcdnes\day last,?jThero were present—The Revs. SjMessrs Telford, Lothian, and Blackie {Ministers), and Mr W. Thomson (elder).

In th« absence of Mr Henry, the Moderator. Mr Blackie was elected .Moderator pro tem. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Lothian gave notice of an overture to the Synod aueut amendments to Interim Acts. Mr Telford gave notice that ao next meeting ho would move the following motion • “That the Presbytery recomi mend that efforts be made to have the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper dispensed in the chief centres of every congregation within the bounds three times a year if practicable, and not seldomer than twice a year in the outlying districts. The Clerk also gave notice of the following motion for next ordinary meeting— That the Presbytery instruct all Ministers within the bounds to observe punctuality in sending in the annual statistics and returns to the Synod’s Committees. . - 4CAWEA AND WANAKA DISTRICT. The! Presbytery having called‘for’ the’ report .pn.Wanaka and Jlawpa District, the same was submitted as follows :'—After Mr, Johnston's removal the Moderator of thy district'entered into' communication , with tho- convener : of the Church Extension Committee with the view of obtaining supply for tho district, but no men were found available at the time. Since then tho Moderator has done his beat to supply the district either in person or by suhsti lutes. A site for church at Pembroke had also been secured, but a suitable piece of land for glebe there had not yet been obtained. though it would likely be got at an •early date. None of tho other sites had been selected yet. Tho Moderator also stated that ho had great pleasure in testifying that the people of the whole district atilt took a lively interest in the work.

After full consideration, the foliowing deliverance was unanimously adopted : - That this Presbytery regret that the Church Extension C munittee were unable to send a suitable man to Wanaka District after Mr Johnston’s removal; and that in terms o f meeting* of 14th January, a Committee of Presbytery, consisting of the Moderator of the District and Clerk of Presbytery, be appointed to visit the district at an early date to confer with the people of the various parts thereof, in order to ascertain whether the district is ripe for sanction as a Church Extension charge under the new regulations of Synod, and also to endeavour to select and secure suitable sites for Church purposes where they may be necessary in the district, and that in the event of the district being found ripe for sanction, the Moderator be instructed to endeavour to carry out the arrangements as to purchase of glebe apd erection of cottage manse, and the appointment of a suitable minister to be settled in the district. Further that the Presbytery in» struct the Moderator to visit the members of the Church in tho district with the view of having the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper dispensed at the earliest convenient opportunity. The Presbytery also rejoice to Jcarn that the people are still hearty and ftipng to contribute to tho support of a Minister, and commend them to the blessing of God, SUSTENTATION FOND. The Presbytery commended this fund to the care of the congregations, and instructed the Ministers to bring the matter " before them previous to each half yearly collection, ( BIBLE AND CHURCH HISTORY CLASSES.

Tba Synod’s scheme of Bible and Church History classes was recommended to tho favorable consideration of all the congregations, and also its adoption whereever found practicable. Mr Lothian applied for sanction for grant for addition to Manse at Alexandra, It was agreed that the same lie on table till next meeting, and that plans of addition he submitted to the Presbytery.

Consideration of remits of Synod was deferred till next ordinary meeting. Thereafter the Presbytery adjourned to meet at Ophir on the third Wednesday in September next.