METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1398, 8 March 1905, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, yesterday. The Methodist Conference was resumed this morning. .The recommendation of the Auckland Synod that it is undesirable to attempt any change in the present separate existence of the two missions was adopted. A committee recommended that Marshland aad Belfast be attached to Barham street circuit, and that the circuit be obliged to fulfil its obligation to take a married minister. Consideration wa’s postponed. There was considerable discussion on the proposal to attach a third married minister to Wellington (Taranaki street) circuit. This was strongly opposed by several Wellington representatives, who contended that Wellington already had its full share of burdens.

Wellington, last night. At the Methodist Conference it was resolved to maintain in their present separate existence the two missions in Auckland. A married minister is to be taken from Waipawa., After a lengthy I discussion the Conference agreed to join the Oxford with the Malvern circuit, the minister to be removed from Oxford to I Sheffield, and a probationer to be withdrawn from Darfield. The boundaries I ol Kaiapoi were readjusted, a probationer to reside at Swannanoa. Christchurch I (Durham West) and Wellington (Taranaki I street) circuits each take a married minisJ ter in place of a probationer. The former | also works Belford and Marshland, with a home missionary and a ’ grant of £SO. I Concerning the death of Mr W. Lawry, of 1 Springaton, the - Conference by vote ex- I I pressed sympathy with ex-Prosident I Lawry, son of the deceased, and members of the family. The Conference agreed to I take over from tbe Southern Maori mission I I Neho Homi Papakakura and his work I among the natives of the South Island. A I Dunedin committee of ministers and layI men were appointed to take charge. The I Rev. W. Sinclair presented an exhaustive and able report on-tomperance and morals. I Special reports of a highly satisfactory I character were iaoludod as to the working of no-lieense in Clutha, Mataura, and Ashburton by the Revs. G. Mitchell (Clutha), J. Hosking (Gore), G. Peter (AshburtoD), and T. E. Thomas, M.A. (Port Chalmers). I The Churoh was regarded as having the power in its hand to stop the liquor traffic. I The report' also deprecated the gambling 1 mania. 1