DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 4161, 28 June 1876, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The adjourned meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held in the First ■ this morning to consider dt now jDr Cop.; , land’s motion re Church union, the fdiscuhv sien upon the subject at the previous meet/ itig being held to be informal. There were; Rev. Mr Greig (Moderator), Professor Salmond, Dr Stuart, Dr Copland, Eevs. Watt, Sutherland,' M'Naughton, Mackie, Finlayson, Russell, Will, Gow, Kirkland, Blakb, and Johnstone (clerk). H Iders : Messrs Mackay, Millar, Bowie, and King. The Revs. M’Ara and Allan being in attendance were associated. - QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. Mr Millar brought under the notice of the Presbytery a question of privilege. He was surprised to find .the. other day on reading a newspaper that a Bill had been introduced into Parliament said to have been sanctioned by the Dunedin Presbytery. He asked whether any member present could explain the objects of this Bill introduced by Mr Reynolds. The Rev. Mr Will could not see the avalogy of this matter to a question of privilege. It was simply brought forward as a matter concerning the whole Presbytery. A question of privilege he took it referred to some injury done to a private individual. Ultimately a committee consisting of Dr Copland, Rev. Mr Mackie, Messrs Bang and Millar, were appointed to report on the matter at this evening’s sitting.. CHURCH UNION. Dr Copland moved “ That this Presbytery declare its approval of the basis of Union in the Report of 1876, and in accordance with the Synod’s instructions re-, mit the same to Kirk Sessions to report at next regular meeting of Presbytery,’’ and spoke strongly in favor of the nnion with the K orth Island. Mr Bobrik seconded the motion. Mr J. P. Millar moved, and the Rev. Mr M'Nauohton seconded, the following amendment: —* ‘ That union with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand is not at present desirable, and that the basis of in 1875 is of So unsatisfactory character as not to justify this Presbytery in recommending such basis.” The Rev. Mr Finlayson moved, “ That the Presbytery, in remitting to the Kirk Sessions the report of the Union Committee, 1875, approve of the suggestions contained in the said report, in so far as they relate to .the basis of union, to properties held in trust, to the mode of ministerial support, to Church extension, and to missions, and desiderate more explicit proposals as to the administration of the government of the United Church, and especially as to the constitution and powers of the General Assembly.” This amendment lapsed for want of a seconder.

On Mr Millar’s amendment being put, there' voted for it the Rev. Lindsay Mackie, Messrs Millar and Mackay. The motion was then carried, Mr Millar dissenting on behalf of himself and those who supported him. The Synod then adjourned till this evening. .