WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 39, 14 February 1872, Page 2

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The Conference recently held in Melbourne was probably the largest ecclesiastical assembly ever seen in the southern hemisphere. Over a hundred ministers were- in attendance, the majority being from Victoria;, butthere were also representatives present from the colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and New Zealand. The following ministers from this colony attended the session: — Eevs. J. Buller. C. W. J&ipg, T. Buddie, W. J. Watkin; A. Reid, W. Morley, A. R. Fitchett, and R. Bavin. G. Manchester, Esq., of Timaru, also attended the Lay Committees. The session commenced on Thursday, January 18, and continued 15 days; there being several matters of importance discussed. In addition to the usual business of receiving candidates for tbe Min&try, the examination of probationers, . and the stationing of the ministers for the ensuing year, the great question was that of some change in the present.roode of government. , It has been felt for several years past that the existing arrangement by which tbe interests of the churoh in

various colonies stretching from Queensland in the North to New Zealand in the South, and from Swan River in the West to Sydney in the East are committed to the care of one Conference meeting annually in Australia, not only involved a large expenditure of money and time, but was productive of great iuconvenience. A proposal has frequently been debated for having an annual Conference in each colony with a general Conference of representatives meeting every three or four yeurs. At the late session it was resolved by a vote of 74 to 15 that the time for such a change had now fully come. On a motion that tho number of annual conferences be four, an amendment was rnovod by the Rev. C. W. Rigg that New Zealand be attached to the Sydney or Eastern Conference. The remainder of the New Zealand representatives were strongly in favor of a separate Conference for this colony, aud Mr. Rigg's views met with little sympathy, only two others voting with him. Ultimately, the original motion was carried, which provides for the establishment of four annual Conferen.es, viz, 1. New South Wales and Queensland; 2. Victoria and Tasmania ; 3. South Australia; and 4. New Zealand; with a General Representative Conference meeting trienuiaily. There must necessarily be a delay of twelve months before this plau can be brought into operation in order that the sanction of the British Conference may be obtained. This, there is little doubt, will be readily given, and we must congratulate the members of the Wesleyan Church on the accomplishment of what we are persuaded, will greatly tend to its consolidation. A new code of Rules for the management of Sunday schools was adopted, and a Committee appointed to consider the propriety of building a Theological Institute in Victoria. For two days the members of the lay committees gave earnest attention to the financial schemes of the church, and various regulations were adopted which will, it is hoped, tend to promote ils interests. The following are the appointments for New Zealand for- the year 1872-73 :— NORTHERN DISTRICT. Auckland : — Revs. C. W. Rigg, W. Oliver, J. J. Lewis; Revs. Hobbs, Lawry aud Smith, Supernumeraries. Thames: Revs. J. Buller and W. J. Williams. Otahuhu and Waiuku : Rev. R. S. Bunn; Revs. Wallis, Warren, and Butler, Supernumeraries. Waikato : Rev. J. Law. New Plymouth. Rev. J. Crump. Raglan: Rev. C. A. Schnackenburg. Waipara : Rev. W. Gittos. HoJcianga : Rev. W. Rowse. MIDDLE DISTRICT. Wellington : Revs. T. Buddie and J. S. Smalley. The Hutt : Rev. G. S. Harper. Greyioion : Rev. D. McNicoll. Whang anui: Rev. J. Berry; Rev. G. Stannard, Supernumerary. Rangitikei: Rev. W. J. Harper. Blenheim: Rev. J. B. Richardson. Nelson : Rev. W„ J. Watkin, Rev. W. Cannell {Richmond). Motueka : one to be sent. Greymouth: Rev. J. A. Taylor. Hokitika : Rev. W. G. Thomas. Ross : Rev. H. Dewsbury. SOUTHERN DISTRICT. Christchurch: — Revs. A. R. Fitchett and W. B. Martin. <S7. Albans: Rev. W. Kirk; Rev. J. Aldred, Supernumerary. Lyttelton : Rev. W, Morley. Springston: Rev. W.Keall. Kaiapoi: Revs. R. Bavin and H. J. C. Gilbert. Timaru: Revs. W. Lee and G. E. Hewlitt. Waikouaili: Rev. T. F. Reeve. Port Chalmers : Rev. J, T, Shaw. Dunedin : Rev. A. Reid. Bdlclutha: Rev. F. W. Isitt. Lawrence: Rev. H. Bull. Roxburgh % Rev. W. H. Beck. Invercargill : Rev. J. S. Rishworth. Oamaru : One to be sent. Queenstown : One wanted.