METHODIST CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1921, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, March 3 Returned chaplains and members of the N.Z.E.F. present at the Methodist Conference in Wellington, tendered a complimentary dinner fo the President, the Rev W. Grigg, and Mrs Grigg today. Tlie Rev H. L. Blamires presided, and, after luncheon expressed the “diggers” congratulations to Mr Grigg on his election to the presidency. The President, in responding, thanked those present for their promise to stand by kirn to the last man. Three rousing cheers were given lor Mr and Mrs Grigg. It was decided, before the gathering dispersed, to form a N.Z.E.F. Association, with the Rev W. Grigg as first president, and the Rev E. 1. Olds as secretary. The Rev W. A. Sinclair, general secretary of Foreign Missions, and Mr J W. Carr, lay treasurer, told the story of their recent visit to the Solomon Islands in connexion with the inauguration ol the work of the New Zealand Methodist Church in the group. Mr Sinclair gave a graphic description of the change wrought by the Gospel. The field of mission work extended over one thousand miles of ocean, and great war canoes that once carried head hunters on torays, now carried • the Gospel. The mission stafl consisted of I missionaries, 5 sisters, and 50 native teachers. The speaker quoted the Commissioner at Tulagi as stating that the missions had done much in the pacification, civilising, and Christianising of the people. The cry of the old chiefs, "he quick with your help,” must be trie keynote of mission work in the Solomons because Bougainville, with n population of 100,000, was still heathen. Mr J. W. Court (Auckland) paid a tribute to the magnificent work of the stall', hut said eight more white missionaries, many sisters and Plunket nurses were required, also at least 300 native teachers, a doctor, headmaster, technical instructor, Y.M.C.A. secretary, and at least two plantation managers. The Rev M. Moxhain afterwards offered his services for mission work in I he Solomons. The Rev A. ('. La wry reported that. I r J. Troiinsoit (Auckland) had given £IOOO to the New Zealand Methodist Centenary Fund. The Rev S. Griffith and Mr H. Field v.ere elected treasmers of the fund. The date of Centenary Thanksgiving Sunday was fixed lor March 19th, 1922. Ii was decided to allocate £SOOO from the Centenary Fund to establish a school of domestic economy, home jiursing, and hygiene for Maori girls, the natives themselves raising £2OOO towards the object, and £ISOO will he set aside for the erection of a memorial church at Whangaroa, the site ol the establishment of the mission in 1822.