METHODIST CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1930, Page 8

METHODIST CONFERENCE

OPENED AT WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, Fehrury 20

At the opening of the Methodist Church Conference at the Taranaki Street Wesley Church to-night, the Rev J. F. Goldie chairman of the Solomon Islands district) inducted the Rev A. N. Scotter into the presidental chair.

The election of officers resulted:— President, 1931, Rev. W. Greenslandc 'iristchurch); vice-president, 1930, Mr A. Peak (Auckland); secretary to the conference, 1930 and 1931, Rev. J. H. Haslam (Richmond, Nelson); assistant secretaries, Revs J. D. M’Arthur and W. A. Burley; precentor, Rev E. S. Emmet.

The Rev H. Ryan brought greetings from the English Methodist Confprcnence which he atfenedd.

WELLING EON, Feb. 21

Tlic Methodist Conference resumed at the Taranaki Street Wesley Church to-day ; the Rev. A. IST. Scotter, presiding. Tlie Methodist Church Conference, as a. result of a ballot, elected the following lay representatives to the Conference Stationing Committee: Auckland district, Messrs A. Peak and T. Clark; South Auckland, Messrs J. E. Tidd and J. T. Bryant; TaranakiWanganui, Messrs T. P. Hughson and F. Wehh Jones; Hawkes Bay-Mana-watu. Messrs J. R. Holder and W. Ross; Wellington, Messrs W. H. Johnson and H. Dixon; Nelson, Messrs F. li. Southgate and S. Gorman; North Canterbury, Messrs A. Williams and H. Holland ; South Canterbury, Messrs Bruce Logan and H. 0. Bailey Witheil; Otago-Southland, Messrs D. C. Cameron and P. A. Pearce; Solomon Islands, Mr W. S. M’Kay; extra representative, Mr R. S. Clark. The following, decisions were made with regard to boundaries and staffing of circuits : Panmure, Pakuranga transferred J o Otahuhu; probationer to be appointed to Otorohanga; married home missionary, second agent at Mastei'ton for next year; Maori Hill separate station, agent to be withdrawn from Broadway and Kaikorai, and be transferred to Port Chalmers circuit; Tuakau and Ruawai recommended to take probationers as additional agents. The good work accomplished by the Auckland Central Mission was the subject of approving comment, and further to encourage aggressive work there, promises of financial assistance having been received from- business .men, it was decided that the mission be raised to the- status of a circuit, that an ordained minister and a. married home missionary be appointed, with a suitable home mission grant.

The report presented to the Conference stated that a marked advance had been registered ill the achievements of the mission. Evening services in a local theatre were being held, with a view to reaching part of th|e city’s multitude of mon-church-goers, and these had proved very popular, the theatre’s seating capacity of 1500 often being considerably overtaxed. In the sphere of social work, much had been accomplished in the relief of unemployment and distress. Over £IOOO had been expended in this direction, 5000 l>eds and meals had been provided for workless men, and 3000 parcels of food and clothing had been distributed. These efforts had been largely made possible by the generosity of Auckland business men.

After prolonged discussion, the Coneronce agreed to the resignation of the Rev. G. J. Laurenson as assist-ant-superintendent of home missions, to. take effect in 1931.

Having completed their probationer}' course, the Revs J. H. Hall and G. R. Harris were unanimously received by tne Conference' as ministers in full connection, to be ordained during the Conference.

The following students were received as ministers on probation:—Revs J. M. Blight, W. J. Court, J. C. Draper, E. C. Leadley ,M. A. M’Dowell, J. W. Parker a»<J W. G. Parker. It was resolved to grant the application of the Rev H. L. Blamires to become a supernumerary and to give the same status for one year to the Revs A. Mitchell and J. Harris. The Revs A. Liversedge and J. E. Parsons were given leave to visit England this year, and it was resolved that they be accredited as representatives of the New Zealand Conference to the British Wesleyan, Primitive and United Methodist conference. The Rev. F. G. Brown’s request to visit England in 1931 was granted.

Conference received as candidates for the ministry to receive theological training Messrs B. McGregor Chry.stall (Wellington district), A. E. Orr (Ota-go-Southland district), R. E. Patchett (Hawke’s Ray-Man a waifu district), and Belshazzar Gina (the last named being designated for work in the native ministry in the Solomon Islands mission field, the Synod of which had nominated him.)

On his appointment to the secretaryship of the conference the Rev J. H. Haslam. intimated his wish to he relieved of his duties of secretary, after twelve years’ service, of the hoard of eaminers. The resignation was accepted, several speakers paying tribute to the admirable work of Mr Haslam as examination secretary. The vaea.ncy was filled by the unanimous appointment of the Rev. W. A. Burfey. Mi.A.