FOXTON METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2648, 20 October 1923, Page 3

FOXTON METHODIST CHURCH.

The quarterly meeting of thy Foxton Circuit of the Mehtodist Church was held on Wednesday evening. The Rev. T. R. Riehardfe, chairman, of theTTTiwke’s Bay-Manawatu district, presided and there was a good attendance of officebearers from the Foxton and Shannon churches. The 1 minutes of the last meeting■■ were read aud confirmed and correspondence received. The chairman, in his opening remarks, expressed the pleasure of the President of the Conference and himself in having been able to secure the services of an able and experienced minister to lake charge of the circuit and his satisfaction in having heard from various sources of the work already done by him. The balance-sheet for the quarter was read !;y the circuit steward, Mr J. Banks, aud was received as satisfactory. It was agreed that the travelling expenses of Mr Boothroyd from Christchurch, aluounting to £2, be paid by the circuit. Messrs Chrystall and Walker were appointed, delegates to the Synod to be held at Hastings next month, along with the minister, and Messrs ' Swindlehurst and Gibson, substitutes, Messrs Swindlehurst' and El Barber were appointed society stewards ah the Shannon Church. Rev. J. Boothroyd welcomed to the circuit Messrs James H. Rob-, erts and William H. Roberts, who had been received from Orrell circuit, Wigan, Lancashire, as fully accredited local preachers and said that both gentlemen —father and son —had taken services in the Shannon church with acceptance. The return of members for the circuit was .64, ,as4ast year, three members having'moved from Shannon aud the Messrs Roberts and Mi’s Roberts, were placed on the roll. The chairman brought up the question of minister for next year and urged the bretliren in view of the shortage of ministers, caused by the death of Rev. Battey, the resignation of Rev. Miniiie, and the illness of President Rothweil, and possible superannuations, to invite some minister at once. There was a strong desire evinced in view of the possible shortage, to get the conference to re-appoint the present supply, and the chairman agreed that if that were the ease,, to represent the wishes of the meeting to the conference stationing committee. Mr J. Banks' was appointed reporter to the New Zealand Methodist Times, aud the Rev. J. Boothroyd as agent for that paper. Mr- Boothroyd was also authorised to solicit, donations to the Home and Maori Mission Fund, it being in special need of assistance and the circuit having received much help from that fund. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the district chairman, Rev. H. L. Richards, for his sympathy with, and help to the circuit, and regret was expressed that he was leaving the district for Taranaki (New Plymouth) next year and hearty wishes were offered for his future success. At the close of the meeting the trustees of the Foxton Church arranged to hold the Church Anniversary on Sunday, October 28th., the Rev. J. Boothroyd t« preach morning and evening. An anniversary and welcome social to the Rev. J. Boothroyd to he held next month to be addressed by the local ministers, and the choir master (Mr H. Osborne) to be asked to get up a musical programme. The ladies of the congregation to be asked to bring a basket and the admission to be by silver coin. Appreciative references were made to Mr JJoward Andrew in offering to bring the combined choir from Levin to give a sacred concert on the 24th for the church funds and Mr Boothroyd also thanked Miss Osborne and Mi’ J. Thompson, of the (J.1.M., for helping in the visitation in Foxton and the outlying districts, Miss VYaiker and others for running him to the services in the car and‘Mr J. Banks for much assistance with the repairing of tubes, tyres, etc, and in many other matters. A most harmonous meeting was closed with the Benediction.