METHODIST CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 361, 11 March 1902, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE

FINAL READING OF STATIONS

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, last night. This morning the business relating to the training and examination of students was dealt with. Various regulations were adopted. Lecturers were appointed for theology, elocution, ecclesiastical history, Methodist polity, homoletics, and Bible exegesis. Examiners in the several subjects were appointed, and the Conference pastoral address to the churches was read and adopted. The third reading of stations was ■given much consideration. The following were finally adopted Auckland : Garland, Ready, Griffiths and Thomas. Wesley College : Simmonds. Freeman’s Bay : Harrison. North Shore : Chapman and Green-

siade. —— Grafton Road : Lewis and Pinfold. - n J aori Mission : Gittos. Mahurangi : Marshall. Thames : Smalley. Upper Thames : Abernethy, Keall and Belton. Manukau : C. Griflen. Franklyn : Penner. Cambridge : Gibson. Hamilton : Blamircs. I’aparoa : Read. Northern Wairoa : Taylor. Wliangarei : J. W. Griffin. Tauranga : Rogett. Coromandel : Probationer from Victoria, New Plymouth : Serpell. Waitara : Garlick and Ashcroft, hi ration! : Loehore. Hawea : Porter and Exbrow. Opunakc : Ellis. Wanganui : Dewsbury and Eaton. Rangitikei : Keall. Sandon and Fcilding : A. C. Lawry and Vcalie. Palmerston North : S. Lawry and New bold. Kiwitea : James Thomas. Wellington : Oliver, Elliott, and

Scotter. Wellington South : Bond. Ilutt : Martin and Tuck. Greytown : Pendray and Godbehere. Masterton : President Murray. Napier : Beecroft. Hastings : Wrigley. Gisborne : B. K. Rothwell. Eketahuna : J. W, Worboys, 'Otaki : Peryman. Dannevirke : Cook. Waipawa : Bowie. Woodville : Hounsell. Pahiatua : Barnett. Nelson : Williams. Richmond : Carr.. Blenheim : Spence. Hokitika : Richards. Greymoulh : Trestrail. Motueka . Wills. Reefton : Grigg. Westport : Blamircs. Christchurch : Baumbcr, Laws, Murray, Jones, and Pratt. Cennexional Secretary : 11. Bull. Sydenham : Lee and T. N, Griffin. St. Albans : Parsonson. Papanui : Dawson. Lyttelton : Ltixford. Springston Mathers and Hastam. Leeston : Beck. Kaiapoi : Dukes and Bellhouse. Rangiora : Peters and Joughin. Oxford : Wallis. '1 imam : Buttle. Waimate : Tinsley. Temuka : Blight. Ashburton : l*ee. Willowby : Jorg. Malvern : Reader. Dunedin : Fairclougli. Central Mission : Sinclair. Mornington : Brooke and Wilson. Cargill Road : Ward. Port Chalmers : T. E. Thomas. Balclutha : Mitchell. Milton : Standage. Lawrence : Ginger. Invercargill : Prior. Oamaru : McNicoll. Gore : Beggs. River ton : Boys. Roxburgh : Beckett. Cromwell : Hosking.

The following were re-elected Chairmen ”of Districts i Auckland, C. H. (Airland; Wanganui, H. R. Dewshurv ; Wellington, the President, Nel ■sou" W. J. Williams ; Canterbury, W. Lee’- Otago, P. W. Fairclougli. M.’ was decided that ministers meet two (j a ys belore the opening of next Confervdcc for consideration of the business -4 the pastoral session, thus saving the time of laymen. The report of tlie Native Training Institution (Auckland) was presented, and a committee of management appointed. _ „ The report of Prince Albert College was also presented. Special mention was made of Ernest Chitty, a blind student, who passed the matriculation examination. , ~ . An evening session was held to conside’' the work of God in churches. Statistical returns were given as folJows Churches, 228 ; other preachin"' places, 3G5 ; ministers, 118 ; home missionaries, 25 ; local preachers, 546, class leaders, 145 ; church members, 12.493 ; on trial, 400 ; communicants, L2CB ; junior members, 1598 ; Sunday schools, 276 ; teachers, 2154 ; scholars 19 996 attendants at public worship, 6 ,; ’781 Addresses were given by rtevs. Laws, Ward, Bright. Orchard, Sister Eleanor, and Sister Jean. Returns show an increase of 741, including 261 Maoris. U was decided to hold the next Conference at Christchurch.

i t agreed to appoint a Commission for each district to visit circuits, , ay mg less than the minimum stipend and confer with local officials, with the object of securing an increase. An interesting point was raised regarding the name and le ? al designation of Church Councils. The opinion r duated the necessity o! a short Parliamentary Act to srcjire the required change, and a depwtation was appointed to interviev the Premier relating thereto. Satisfaction was • expressed that seveial sisters of the people were emploved in connection with the churches. hiie Rev. Lewis moved a resolution approving of daily reading the Bible ij ; public schools, a text book with the -litpessary explanations being provided. —Adopted. . , , • Resolutions were carried dealing with the question of Sabbath observance and gambling. The report ot the Connexional Fire Insurance Committee was presented ; 301 trusts pay levies ; there were two small losses or.lv during the year. The financial statement showed the amount of deposit to be £550 in credit, the balance of current account being £ll7A report was received from the Committee appointed to enquire conciti ing the establishment of an or•■bar.age, and resolutions were carried iealiiig with the question. The Rev. Slade was appointed for -•jgn mission deputation to the South Island in Mav and June, and to the Tvc ith Island in January and February K°v. Baumber proposed a resolution relating to the appointment of chapinns' to volunteers and permanent ifoices. The conference agreed that a committee be appointed to deal with the matter, also having authority, if a Tenth Contingent be sent to South Africa, to arrange with the Government to provide a chaplain. Tne Committee for the extension of ule’hodism in Wellington presented a report. The Committee were reapjoated, and instructed to report at an • pi'-lv stage of next conference. The official signing of the Journal takes place to-morrow.