WELLINGTON NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 311, 11 January 1902, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS.

EIGHTH CONTINGENT. Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. Lieut.-Colonel Davies has accepted the command of the Eighth Contingent. Captain Bingiey, at preser 1 idjutant in Canterbury, is to be Brigad . ajor. Captain Mat-thews and Serg* jor Bogers are to be staff officers. '■ tin Bartlett will command tire Novi’ ...mil battalion, with Captain Poison -Coni in command. Major Glayto all command the South Island battalion, with Captain Jackson second in command. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. It is understood that Mr Blair, who previously occupied the position of Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, has resigned from the Board of Directors. Mr Martin Kennedy is the only person nominated for the position of shareholders’ representative on the Board of Directors of the Bank of New Zealand, and will bo declared re-elected at the meeting of shareholders on February 7th, as the time has now expired for receiving nominations. FAREWELL LUNCHEON. A meeting of citizens to-day decided to give a luncheon to the men of tho Eighth Contingent prior to embarkation at this port on the 28rd inst. PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

At the Primitive Methodist Conference to-night Mr Goldie moved the following resolution :—“ That this Conference placos upon record its high appreciation of the courtesy shown by tho Wesleyan Methodist Church in its letter upon the question of Methodist Union, yet we again resolve that wo do not see our way to accept union on the basis offered, the concessions made by them being insignificant, whilst the sacrifices required from us include absolute exclusion of laymen from discussion ortho reception, ordination, efficiency, stationing, and superannuation of ministers, and also upon the question of appeals affecting the status of ministers and members ; the exclusion of laymen from taking any part in these questions being directly opposed to our ohurch policy, which provides that laymen are eligible to use both voice and vote upon all questions coming before any of our church courts.” Mr Booth, of Auckland, seconded the resolution. Union at tho present time, ho said, would be a great evil, as people wore not prepared for it. Tho Rev. J. Dawson, of Wellington, complimented the Wesleyan Methodists on tho excellent spirit m approaching the Conference ro amalgamation, and moved an amendment that tho .question of a Methodist Union be referred to the next September quarterly meeting. Mr Linton seconded. A lengthy debate followed, and is oxpeeted to last two days more.