THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2161, 28 January 1881, Page 3

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION TEIESBAM.] NELSON, January 27. In connection with the Wesleyan Conference a soiree was held last night. Six hundred sat down to tea, and speeches were delivered afterwards. The ministerial conference ended, and lay representatives were admitted this morning. It was reported that additional members would arrive on Friday. The Manawatu district was divided into three as recommended by the district meeting. The new districts are Fielding, Sandon, and Palmerston north. It was resolved that Gisborne be transferred from the Wellington district to the Auckland district ; Rangiora circuit was also divided, the new circuit to be called Woodend ; Richmond was divided from Nelson ; Taranaki and Wanganni district was changed to Wanganui district, and the North-east valley mission is to be called the Dunedin suburban mission. The obligation of circuits to receive married ministers was considered at great length. Owing to the expiration of the probation of a number of young ministers several additional parsonages are required. Several stations which have bad probationers for four years pleaded inability to receive married ministers. Ohustchurch pleaded that it was not legally done, but was overruled. The oases of inability had not gone to the vote when the conference adjourned. _ At the afternoon session it was complained that incorrect statements appeared in the Auckland “ Star ” from “ Our own correspondent.” Probationers were not “drugged through by friends, nor wore the examinations discreditable. Seventy-one per cent, was the lowest average in fire subjects, the average of

the whole being 78J per cent. Waiuku and Balolutha were allowed a year’s grace with regard to married ministers ; Lawrence and Palmerston North are expected to lulfil their obligations ; Grafton road, Bpringetop, and Invercargill received additional ministers 5 Upper Thames, Mahaurangi, Tauranga, and Hastings become separate circuit*. Havelock and Wungaroa become home mission stations. It was resolved—" That it is desirable that the New Zealand Conference bo represented at the Methodist (Ecumenical Congress, which meets at London in September.” The stations showed 314 churches and preaching places ; 67 active ministers ; 3542 church members ; 13,365 Sunday school scholars, uud 35,389 attendants at public worship. In addition to the foregoing, the Conference has charge of 4000 Maoris and 500 Scandinavians.