PRESBYTERIAN MODERATOR.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1919, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN MODERATOR.

fIONOUK CONFERRED ON REA - .1. A. ASIIER, CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. At- tho Presbyterian General Assembly to-day it was intimated that twelve Presbyteries nominated llie Rev. A. Asher of Napier ,as Moderator for the ttiisuino year and that six Presbyteries had nominated the Rsev. Prolessm Hewitsoii. Professor ffcwilson wrote intimating that lie desired to leave to retire from the oleelion. heave was

granted. The Her. W. .). ('oniric, in a review of the career of the Rev. Mr Asher, said that for twenty years he laid been the Bishop of the Presbyter- | inn Church in the Hawke’s Bay dis-, triet. He had stepped into the shoes of that great and good man, Dr Sidey. who held Mr Asher in the highest of esteem. No man was better fitted to properly fill the position of Moderator of the Church in New Zealand. The 3loderntor then announced that 311Fisher had been unanimously designated the Moderator-elect of the General Assembly of (he Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Ho offered his con-

' gratulations to .ftlr Asher on liis election- ~ , In reply, Mr Asher said he appreciated very highly the generosity of the Assembly in nominating him as Moderator. For the sake of the congregations of the churches lie had been associated wtili he greatly rejoiced in the honour they had never conferred ,on him. Though a native of New Zealand, lie had never associat ed himself with the cry of “New Zealand for the New Zealanders.” Nevertheless he thought it was fitting at times that a New Zealander should be elevated to the position.