CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2151, 17 January 1881, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery of Christchurch met in St. Andrew’s Church schoolroom, Christchurch, on Thursday, 13th January, and was duly constituted with devotional exercises. Sederunt —The Eevs. Messrs W. H. Horner (Moderator), Hill, Cairns, Burnett, Beattie, Westbrooke, Douglas, Oree and McCallum ; and Messrs Gibbs, Craighead and Donald, elders.

Tho clerk read a letter from Mr Horner gratefully acknowledging the kindness of his brethren for their expression of sympathy. The Moderator stated, as he had now to recommend as his successor the Eev. Mr Hauxwell, he would take the opportunity of thanking his brethren for their kindness and forbearance during his term of office. Mr Hill, in terms of the Moderator’s recommendation, proposed Mr Hauxwell as Moderator for the present year, which was seconded by Mr Oree. In tho absence of Mr Hauxwell, the exModerator was requested to retain his seat. The treasurer’s account of Presbytery expenses was read, shewing arrears due from congregations to the close of 1879 to be £l6 ss, and the amount due of honorarium to the clerk to be £8 5s 3d. The congregations were then taxed for Presbytery expenses for 1880; and Mr Hill moved, that the clerk be paid the same amount as in the preceding year, which was seconded by Mr Burnett, and carried. Mr Oree moved that the congregations in arrears for Presbytery expenses be enjoined to pay them as early as possible ; seconded by Mr Barnett, and carried. A commission from Papanui congregation for Mr Jas. Donald to bo representative elder was laid on the table and received.

The following report was given by Mr Cairns, Moderator of Kaiapoi:—“ In pursuance of instructions given at the special meeting of Presbytery, held on Thursday, 23rd December, the necessary announcement for moderation in a call was given on two succeeding Sabbaths ; and at a congregational meeting held on Thursday, 6th January, a unanimous call was made out in favour of Mr Robert McGregor, and signed by sixtyone members and thirty-two adherents. Mr Hill proposed that the call be sustained and put into the hands of Mr B. McGregor for his decision, which was seconded by Mr Cairns. On the call being put in Mr B. McGregor’s hands, after consultation with the Presbytery, ho decided to accept it. His trial discourses and examination in theology, history, and languages were then appointed, and on the motion of Mr Hill, seconded by Mr Cairns, it was resolved —“ That the Presbytery’s examiners within the bounds examine Mr B. McGregor on Thursday, six weeks hence ; and that his ordination and induction take place at Kaiapoi on the next ordinary meeting day of Presbytery.” It was arranged that the Eev. T, B. Cairns should preside, preach, put the ues-

tions, ordain and induct, the Bev. J. Hill to give a statement of Presbyterianism, the Bev. W. H. Horner to address the newly-inducted minister, and the Bev. N. McCallum the people. Mr Charles Young handed in a cheque for £6O to the Moderator from the Kaiapoi congregation, which was given to the Bov. W. McGregor, and the settlement of the balance was to be made as early as possible. The Moderator intimated that it was necessary to appoint representatives to the Beverend General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, to meet in Wellington in March next.

The meeting was closed with the benedio tion.