Religion on the West Coast

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1923, Page 4

Religion on the West Coast

THE CASE OF II UN ANG A. A PROBLEM FOR -METHODISTS DUNEDIN. Feb 25. A rather dull and monotonous stretch of business at the Methodist Conference, when members were, considering the appointment of agents of the church to various districts throughout th Dominion, was suddenly enlivened by a reference to the somewhat notorious' West Coast District of Kuu(i nga. ’I he Rev 15. J. James, of Greymoutli. moved: “That a home missionary lie* appointed to tin* districts of \\ junta, Runangn and Blackball and that provision be made for his salary." Air L. Af. Isi tt. ALE., said the choice of the agents for this district would require to be made with the greatest care and he emphasised that whoever went there must be a man o! unquestioned loyalty.

The Rev \V. Baumber said that for the first year or so the agent would have to be supported from outside. Tho Rev (!. Bund, pointed out that the synods had recommended grants exceeding by over £:)000 the income of the committee. They wanted to knowin a ease like this where the money was t „ |r,m. What were the people of Hr.: ,!ist riet prepared to promise? He feared tlial if this "as carried, the whole expense would come on tlu> II nine M i ssinn 1- uml. The Rev T. G. Brooke spoke of a visit. In* bad paid to the district and said that le- could get only one man and two women to bis meeting. Due of the women was very “Red Ted." At this stage a member interposed by proposing that the conference should go into committee. The litiV E. K. Paris vigorously opposed flic* suggestion, saying they had nothing lo bide, lie considered ibis was ‘'good copy" and il was unfair to the Press to go into commitu e whenever “good copy” came along. Coni inning. Air Brooke said that he found Ibe strongest- opposition in lltinauga io their work. There was a Sundae S'-bool then* being run on “Red Fi d" lines. Il- * ante to the eom-liision 1}*.,l an;, ag-.-ul .s-'nl He-re would have to In* .sUpm'ted from outside. the same i iiir- i a.*,died i - :!:-.• i- c< id-mining district.. oil the W-'-t Goji.-t. The IL’*.' W. A. Hay said Huy were i mid: lolling lliem-sclves cut of their own in.mills. They were thci , lo (earn -•■*;, Inn*, to live; they bad a gospel Ii preach and if lb - were bran* enough and loyal enough' they would .-end :, Ilian I i Hiis district oven if ii "broke the bank.” The R. v B. J. James referred In the fact tl-al tbe chun h at l! iiminga bad been closed for six year.-;. Tee Nelson Synod thought the true He situtimi there m- l la- selection oi :> ,;i refill ly-i-buscn man to regain I'm amtideilee of the people. The hour of five lock bad me.*. I - ii i cached and an ,*xl elision nl a t|u;i rt,.r of an hour was decided on. Air Aloses Ayrton (Wellington South) spoil'.' oi Ibe lie. ds of Iho p.'OI I living no tile W est ('east. v. la-re In 1.a.l .oi u|: Iv tra ."V-lb-d. I n none **l the, tillage. *.i a - Methodism repi-i--sented. lie thought verv bigbly of 111 p- "I'll- Who bad I. I lorr.'d 1.,, as ■*].!*,-J Fed-." Bolshevists and disloyalists. lie thought that those ta;-,,, would have been better left unsaid. 'lb,, only thing they were e.-m- ---.. rm*.l about a- a church was loyalty to Jesus Chri-I. For .even veal’s be leal j,y-,l over there among a pmph- who were the most religious and pious wile whom be bad ever been as-o **d. ii* could east bis eve round that gtt: boring ami see a man who locked tin* ch'ureh door against the people and wtiß.ed away with flu* key ; n L* I,.,<■]« t. and there were 2->0 cliildreil i Imre. The Alelhodist Church had a responsibility to tbi- district. In Ruitwere !?,H> minus and no rcli,doits in- 1 rm*! ion was being given t„ adults ~r i bildrcn. II it man was Jipi muted tin it business uas to support him to the utmost of their power, and in the spar;- "t a year or two a huge granL wmibl not b<- r.'quired. 11 thio were not ]irep::r**,l to do tiework tin. next liest i ’dug was to set! tlicit- properties to oilier emu* h---whicb were prepared to make use of thi-m. On a recent visit there on prohibition bn si mss he bad been ioc.-i.vn with open doors and th-- people -'-k* ' him to reopen Urn- .-but, h : lb* sup ports d tlo* motion to have an ag-i'l ap point''d with a suitable grant.-(Ap-idausi i.

The motion for the appointment of a man to the difficult district of Runangn was carried with enthusiasm.