PRESBYTERY OF WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 38, 28 February 1877, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF WELLINGTON.

From the " New Zealand Times " we learn that at a meeting of the above Presbytery, held m Wellington on the 21st inst., the subject of ministerial support at Palmerston and Feilding was introduced, and a communication was read from the Church Extension Committee to the effect that on applying for a renewal of the grant to Feilding and Palmerston no statement was made as to what was raised by the people themselves towards the support of ordinances, or what was raised by any association m the Presbytery for the same object, and stating that such a statement should be sent to the committee. The Clerk said the Eev. MrM'Gregor, a gentleman of great ability, had been induced to give up a lucrative appointment and become minister to the people of Palmerston and Feilding, where he had since labored with diligence and fidelity. His people, however, would not support him. He was now maintained by a grant from the Church Extension Fund and by assistance from the Presbytery. He (the clerk) had met the people of the district, had pointed out to them the nature of their responsibilities, and had obtained a promise that each place would raise a sum of £50 per annum m aid, but up to the present time that promise had not been fulfilled, m fact the least trifle had been given. They had gone round the country collecting subscriptions for their church — from Wellington they had obtained £150 — yet they would not assist m the support of their minister, who had labored as faithfully and earnestly as any m the Presbytery. The Eev. Mr Eoss said he believed the main cause of the laches of the people was the neglect to meet together. Naturally Mr M'G-regor did not like to do it, and the only way out of the difficulty he (Mr Ross) saw was to appeal direct to the managing committees at Feilding, Palmerstonj and San don, and appoint some one near the district to call them together regularly. If this were done he would undertake to see the money raised* The Eev, Mr McKee, the Moderator and others fully approved the suggestion and after further conversation, the Presbytery agreed to appoint the following as a committee to visit Feilding on an early date and ascertain definitely what the people were prepared to do m order to retain Mr M'G-regor's services : — Eev. Messrs Eoss, Treadwell, Doull, and Paterson ; Mr Eoss convener* The Presbytery also appointed the Eev. Messrs Eoss, Doull, and Duncan (ministers), and Messrs M'Aulay and John Murray (elders) a session to see to the carrying out of any arrangement made between the people and the committee* It was resolved that the committee should wait upon the Foxton people and endeavor to arrange with them for a better support of the ministry.