WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2106, 23 November 1880, Page 3

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

The opening session ef the annual meeting for the Canterbury district was held yesterday afternoon at three o'clook in one of the vestries of the Durham street Church. The Rev. J. B. Richardson (chairman of the district) occupied the chair. The usual devotional exercises were conducted, and the roll oalled. The following ministers answered to their names—Rev. J. Aldred, A. Reid, J. S. Rishworth (Ohristohuroh), J. S, Smaller (Springston), W. Keall (Ashburton), W. H. Beck (Lyttelton), W. S. Harper (Temuka), J. Armitage (Kaiapoi), W. Worker (Lees ton), S. J. Garliok (Rangiora), W. Baumber (Ohristohuroh). The Revs. J. H. Simmonds (Ximoru), and J. J. Lewis (Waimate) were reported as not having arrived from their circuits. Dispensation was granted to the Bev. J. A. Taylor (Rangiora), absent from the colony. The Chairman expressed his pleasure at meeting his associates in the ministerial work on their annual gathering for review of Church work in the Canterbury district with the more gratitude, seeing death had not been allowed to remove any of their number. This was the first oocasion of his being called to preside in the capacity of district ohairman, and he would have much preferred to have remained in an unofficial position. Conference however having called upon him to ocoupy the chair, he would endeavour to do so to the best of his ability. Two somewhat unusual circumstances oonnected with their meeting was to be noted—viz., that they had no candidates for the ministry to come before them, and no ministerial probationer in their midst. There were however important subjeots_ to occupy their attention, in dealing with which he was sure the best consideration of the members of the m«eting would be given. He ! trusted the Divine guidance would be vouchsafed to all their deliberations. The election of secretary was proceeded with by ballot, resulting in the unanimous appointment of the Rev. J. Aldred, who has filled the same office for several years. The Rev. J. H. Simmonds was, appointed reporter to the "New Zealand Wesleyan," and' the Rev. J. Armitage to the daily papers. . The business was of a pvirely preliminary character, consisting of the fixing of hours of session, the making of appointments for religious (services, A.o.