KUMARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

Kumara Times, Issue 2662, 1 April 1885, Page 3

KUMARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

— + A congregational meeting of this church was held in the Presbyterian Church, Third street, on Monday evening, to consider the financial and other relations between the Kumara and Stafford churches. The Rev. Mr Hay, Minister of the church, presided, and opened the meeting with prayer, Mr A. 0. Campbell explained the business of the evening, when Mr William Harvey moved and Mr Robert Anderson seconded, and it was carried unanimously:—“ That inasmuch as the Stafford Presbyterian Church Committee of Management have declined to make provision towards the stipend fund, having passed a resolution to that effect, dated 18th March, 1885, and intimated the same to the committee of this church : the Presbyterian congregation of Kumara hereby withdraws all financial connection with Stafford church from this date, and pledge themselves to raise the necessary funds for the proper maintenance of the religious ordinances in the other parts of the parish, Mr James Hansen moved, and Mr David Dickson seconded, and it was carried unanimously—“ That the refusal of Stafford Presbyterian Church to contribute their proper share of the expenses connected with the regular pulpit supply, and the other pastoral duties which that church entails, as well as being a source of continual irritation to Kumara church, and also a hindrance to the proper development of the other parts of the parish, render a disjunction of the two churches absolutely necessary.” Mr Donald M‘Kay moved, Mr Harry George seconded, and it was carried unanimously—“ That the starving-out policy so persistently carried on among a section of Presbyterians in this parish calls for the most emphatic condemnation of the Pbesbytery of Westland, and of the General Assembly, as prejudical to the best interests of the church at large, and is a disgrace to the Presbyterian cause.” Mr John Woods moved, Mr John Love, seconded, and it was carried unanimously—“ That Mr William Nicholson, Mr James Woods, and Mr A. C. Campbell be appointed to appear before the Presbytery at its first meeting in Greymouth on April 2nd 1885, in support of the foregoing resolutions or petitions affecting the interests of Kumara Church.” Mr Jorgenson moved, Mr David Thomson seconded, and it was carried unanimously— tl That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the Moderator of the Presbytery; to the Clerk of the Presbytery; to the Rev. George Hay ; and to the Secretary of Stafford Church Committee.” There was a large attendance and the greatest interest was manifested in the proceedings. The Moderator pronounced the blessing, and the meeting separated.