The Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2, 13 November 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1878.

A seveijb contest is about to take place in Wellington over the Mayoralty election. In Nelson the same event appears likely to pass over quietly and without any excitement whatever the solitary candidate in the field up to the present time being Mr J.R. Hooper. Nominations have to be sent in by Tuesday next, so that if any other aspirant to the office intends to offer his services he will have to make up his mind without much delay. Messrs Wymond and Co. call attention to the meeting of ticket holders in their Gift Art Union to be held at the Masonic Hall at 7 30 this evening, for the purpose of selecting a Committee to superintend the drawing. The Bishop of Nelson, the Hon. Sec. to the Board of Theological Studies in connection with the Church of England in New Zealand, has sent in the result of the examinations for 1878, from which it appears that Mr F. H. Spencer, Bishopdale, passed in the 2nd class of Grade III; and Mr C. W. Jennings, Bishopdale, and Miss Annie I.eighton, Nelson, in the Ist class of Grade

A Public Meeting in connection with the \V esleyau Church District Meeting was held in the Hardy-street Church last evening under the presidency of J. H. Cock, Esq. Ihere was a large attendance, and the utmost enthusiasm was manifested throughout The report, submitted by the pastor of the church—the Rev. R. Bavin— showed that the income of the Homo Mission and Church Extension Fund for the past year amounted to £1,435 18s ; the expenditure included grants to Maori Missions, to Colonial Home Missions, to poor Circuits, to building of parsonages, and to the Wesley College Auckland for training young ministers, and amounted to £1,846. The Nelson Circuit last year contributed £30 9s. This year it would doubtless do more as the Treasurer had already received £26 7s and other amounts had to come in. After the report, addresses full of wise counsels and humorous instruction, dealing with many of the principal religious questions of the day were delivered by the Revs. Bull, Buttle, Smith, Rowse, and Hoskuig. A collection was made amounting to £17 15s, a good proof of the people's interest in the matter. Votes of thanks were passed to the choir, who gave some very superior music in capital style, and to the Chairman, and the meeting was brought to a ciose at 10 o'clock.

•• "^ w?l§ '? l W e Jeering at the Wes ve <T a u Ch^ rch Motueka on Monday last, wtttea a reception tea meeting was held in connection with the arrival of the Rev James Hosking to take charge of. the church. An excellent tea was provided, r.nd the tables w : ere presided ovfer by Miss Alexander, Miss Staples, Miss Hawkins, and the Misses linney After the tea a lecture on "American Experiences " was delivered by the Rev 11. Bull, from Greymouth. The lecture, which lasted about an hour, was most interesting, and Mr Bull, was frequently applauded during its delivery, A Vote of thanks was also given at its close* and after t|ic singing of d solo entitled the "Pilgrim lathers" by Miss Pinney the proceedings terminated. It may bo mentioned that a number ,of Sankey's hymns were successfully rendered dining the proceedings, and that the proceeds of the tea aud lecture were over £15.

Thk Weslcynn District Meeting was resumed yesterday at 10 a.m. The two Ministers expected had r.cfc arrived. After devotion?.! exercises and the reading of the minutes of Saturday's session the state of the Sunday Schools in the district was enquired into at considerable length. It was considered tjo he a. matter of thankinlness that most of tlie Schools were in a very prosperous condition. In some, not only was there a large increase reported in the number of scholars, but the divine blessing had attended the labors of the teachers, and many of onr young people had giren their hearts to God and joined the ranks of his people. The reports wC-ro as follows :— Nelson circuit, 500 scholars and G3 teachersGreymouth, 210 scholars and 26 teacher?; Hokitika, 219 scholars aud 22 teachers;' Kumara, 75 scholars and 12 teachers.— Under the question of recommendation for the training of candidates for the Ministry, it was unanimously resolved that no candidate be sent to the Training Institution unless accepted and sent either by the Quarterly Meeting or the District Meeting. The necessity for a more central college was also referred to, and ultimately referred to the Conference.—Reports of sales, &c, of property were placed before the Meeting. Resolutions passed accordingly.— Financial matters occupied most of the afternoon's session, and the various funds were passed in review preparatory to the Financial District meeting to-morrow. The number of churches, parsonages, preaching places, &c, was then compiled and the meeting adjourned. — Communicated.