METHODIST CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 14

METHODIST CHURCH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CIRCUITS AND STAFFING

At yesterday afternoon's session of the Methodist Church Conference, the president (the Key, A. N. Seolter, 8.A.), m the uhair, it Avas decided that Taihape be reconstituted a circuit, with special financial iassistanee; that/Maugoum Home Mission .Statiou:b<* raised .to the. status of a circuit, and'a 'probationer be appointed; thit-W probationer be appointed as additional minister'in the Johusonville circuit, to reside at Ngaio, with a suitable home mission irraht; that a single probationer be appalled as third minister in the Timaru circuit: that a single probat.oner be appointed to Whakatane, with a .suitable efant; and that, Marton circuit take an ordained minister, if .stationing requireUlTl^ follS circiiite^ere granted relief for a further/ term -.from... the obligation to take ■married;; ministers (m some cases additional:■■ New JlymouU, Wai. roa, Kilbirme, r>urha.m;.Street, Woolston, and Dunediu iriijity^ ;;••-'■; • ; ; ■ ;■ NEW MINISTERS. ."••:' Having tompletecr ' their probationary course the:Kevs. J. H. Hall and G.,5. : Harris were unanimously received by opnerence as .liiinisters irx full connexion,- to be ordaiiied-diiring this conference. ,: v The following "students;; were received. _as ministers "oil :^ Keys. J. ; M. Blight, W. J.,Court, J. C. Drapeivli.: C. Leadley, M. A. M'Dowcll, .J. W..Parker, and W. G. Parker.. '.•. Conference: received as candidates tor the ministry, to receive theologica training:. Messrs. B. M'Gregor Chrystal (Wellington District), J. A. Daghsh (Nelson District), A. B.Orr (Otago-Southland District), K. E. Patchett (Hawkeß Bay-Mana-watu District), and Belsliazzar Gma, the last-named being .designated for work-in tne':Native ministry in. tte Solomon lauds mission field, the synod of whica had nominated him. Gina is the first native minister •appointed to the feolomon Islands from the: New Zealand Methodist Church. It was resolved to grant the application .of .the Rev. H. L. Blamires to become a supernumerary, and to give the same status for one year to the Revs.1 A. Mitchell and Jno. Harris. ,'„'«, * The ; Revs. A. Liversedge and J. E. Parson's were given permission to visit England this year, and it was resolved that they be accredited as representatives of the New, Zealand Conference to the British Wesleyan, Primitive, and United Methodist Conferences. The Rev. F. G. Brown's request to visit England in 1931 was granted. ':'.'. ■ ■ ■ On his appointment to the secretaryship of the conference, the Rev. J. H. Haslam intimated his wish-to be relieved of the duties of secretary of the Board of Examiners. The resignation was accepted, several speakers paying tribute to the admirable work of Mr.,Haslam as examination secretary-for-1 the past twelve years. ■ The .vacancy was .filledby the. unanimous appointment o'fl'the Rev. W. A. Burley, •M.A;.' { ■ ■■■■■ •■■- ■:.-..' ;'

After a somewhat lengthy discussion, it was resolved that the Rev. C. I. Laurenson be designated to the position of Absibtaut Superintendent of Home Missions, the appointment to take effect in 1931.