DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 15

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Pi_ C3 ‘ bytery of Dunedin was held yesterday afternoon, the moderator (Dr J. D. Salmond) presiding. The Rev. J. M. Thomson forwarded his presbyterial certificate from Southland and intimated that he had taken up his residence at St. Clair. rsoted. Further leave of absence was granted to the Rev. W. W. M‘Arthur (Peninsula), and the Rev. G. L. Taylor was appointed interim moderator during the P€nCXl ' CHURCH SCHOOLS. A deputation representing the board of governors of Columba and John M'Glashan Colleges waited on the Presbytery to ask its co-operation in obtaining more pupils for the schools and releasing the Rev. H, A. Mitchell, of Rosilyn, in order to conduct a campaign in the country districts. The deputation was comprised of Dr W. Borne, Messrs T. Somerville, A. C. Cameron, Stuart Cameron, and Mrs Ewing, and was introduced by the Rev. J. J. Cairney. Dr Borrie said that the deputation approached the Presbytery to ask for assistance. The boards of both schools had conferred and had come to the conclusion that they needed more pupils, especially boarders, With this object in view they had arranged for the Rev. H. A. Mitchell, of Roslyn, to make a personal canvass of the country districts most likely to be productive of pupils. Arrangements had been made for Mr Mitchell to be released from his parochial duties for the necessary period. The speaker asked l for the full co-operation of the Presbytery for this important work. It was 23 years since the Presbytery had decided to build a school for girls, and they now had a residential school in good condition, besides a fine principal and staff, to which they could with confidence recommend people to send their daughters. It was now felt by the board, upon which the Presbytery had its that the time was ripe for a visitation to the country districts for the purpose of arousing interest in the schools. \ Mr Somerville stressed the urgency of the position, and said that the number of boarders at both schools had fallen at the opening of the present term. It was thought that if the number of boarders could be increased from 35 to 50 the position would be much improved. A good deal could also be done in the way of improvements to equipment, but that could wait. The goodwill of the Presbytery and all ministers was essential. The effect on the staff, went on the speaker, was most depressing. There were numbers of children in the country districts who, he said, should be sent to the schools, but for some reason they had been unsuccessful in maintaining a constant stream of pupils. The next two or three years would be most important in the lives of the colleges. Mr A. C. Cameron explained that the hoards had a definite plan for canvassing, and some members_ of the boards would accompany Mr Mitchell on some of his visits to the country. About £40,000 had been expended in establishing and keeping the colleges going. It was decided that the Presbytery make every endeavour to co-operate with the boards of the two colleges ,to further the project. ' / " It was resolved to ask the Rev. A. C. Standage to supervise any necessary arrangements to fill the pulpit at the Roslyn church during the absences of Mr Mitchell. On the motion of the Rev. H. J. Ryburn it was resolved that the Presbyteries _in Otago and Southland be communicated with and their support of the scheme solicited, and that letters be sent to representative elders in Otago and Southland. CONDUCT OF BURIALS. The clerk (the Rev. J. D. Smith) reported that, in connection with _ the responsibility of ministers in the issuing of certificates at burials, replies had been received from the Registrar-Gene-ral and the Attorney-General, but no reply had been received from the British Medical Association. The Attor-ney-General stated that amending legislation to the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1934 was under consideration to meet the difficulties referred to in the letter from the Presbytery.— The replies were noted. TRIALS FOR LICENSE. The Rev. J. J. Cairney reported that two students, Messrs I. Poison and F. Winton, had applied to he taken on trial for license.—The applications were sustained. WAIT ATI CHURCH. In presenting the report of the Missions Committee the Rev. R. A M'Dowall said that the building of the manse at Waitati was under way. The coat was to have been £1,370, but the price had been increased about £2OO as the result of - recent Government legislation. The congregation was granted permission to obtain a loan of £I,OOO. -ZMSt BUDGET. Mr J. Dick reported on the Assembly’s budget, and gave details of contributions from the Otago congregations, which, he said, were not so favourable as they were last year. The Rev. M'Dowall pointed out that the whole of the Assembly’s schemes were most economically managed.

It was decided that the Moderator issue to congregations a statement on the need of support.

SUNDAY CONCERTS. The following motion was carried:— “ That tho Presbytery endorses the representations made by the Council of Christian Churches to tho City Council regarding the holding of Sunday concerts. The Presbytery is of the opinion that these should bo permitted only for strictly charitable purposes, that no charge bo made for admission, Slid that the programmes be supervised by the City Council.”