WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 27, 1 February 1881, Page 2

WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. After dinner, the Ministerial Conference resumed tbe consideration of the station- [ sheet. After several final amendments the sheet was adopted in the following form :— Auckland Distuict. — Auckland, W. Morley and 11. K. Dewsbury ; Wesley College, Three Kings, Principal, Thos. Buddie ; Grafton Road, W. C. Oliver and L. M. Isitt ; Thames. W. J. Watkin ; Upper Thames, J. T. Pinfold ; Manukau, G. Bond ; Waiuku, A. C. Caughey ; Waikato, H. Bull ; Raglan, W. Slade ; Kaipara, W. Gittos and C. Abernethy; Wairoa, G. W. Spense; Hokiangi, T. H. Hammond ; Kawakawa, W. T. Salter ; Whangarei, L. Hudson j Tauranga, 'fi, Bar-'

ber ; Gisborne, J. Dillow. W. Morlcy, Chairman of the district. Wanganui Distkict*— New Plymouth, D. M'Nieoll and W. H. Hosper j Patea, J. A. Luxford ; Wanganui, W. J. Williams ; Rangitikei, W. Rowse ; Sandon, W. Worker ; Pulroerston North, J. Smith; Feiiaing, W. G. Parsonson. D. M'Nieoll, Chairman of the. district. Wellington DisTKicT.~Welli*-*g{ori W Kirk and li Bavin • Kutfc, W. Con'nell \ Greytown, \. g. Thomas; Masterton, J. Dukes; Napier, 11. S. liulin 5 Hastings, IT. C. Dewsbwy. W. Kirk, Chairman. Nelson District.— Nelson, W. Lee ; Richmond, ,1. Berry ; Blenheim, T. G. Can* ; Hokitikn, S. Lawry; Greymouth. C. H. Slandagc. W. Lee Chairman. CANTEniiunr Distimct.— Christchurch. A. Reid-, W. Baumbel*. W. E. Gillam (supply) ; Colombo Road, J. S. Hishworth ; St. Albans, J. B. Richardson (President) ■ Lyttelton, W. B. Marten ; Springston, J. S. Smal*y j Lecs-ton,-J. Arniiiajje ; Kaiapoi, J. 11. Sinimouds; Rangwßi, J. A. Taylor ; Woodend, S. J. Gorhck; Timaru, Beck; Waimate, J. J. Lewis ; Temuka, T. Pec ; Ashburton, W. Kcall. J. B. Richardson (President), Chairman. Otaoo District.— -Dunedin, E Best • Mornington, J. N. Buttle; Port Chalmers, W.-Tinsley' Balcluthn, j. 11. Grey j Milton, It. Wills ; Lawrence, J. Law •, Roxburgh, F W. Martin; Invercargill, P. W. Fairclough; Oamaru, J. Crump; Tapunui, D. J. Murray. J. Crump, Chairman. The election of the Chairmen of Districts resulted as follows -—Auckland, Rev D M'Nicoll- Wellington, Rev W. Kirk ; Nelson, -^W* Lee, ex-President 5 Canterbury, Rev J. B. Richardson, President of Conference, (ex-officio); Otago, Rev J. Crump. The laymen took their seats at 3 p.m. Mr W. Harris read a telegram from Christcnurch requesting the Conference to grant the Rev A. Reid a fear'ij leave of absence in connection with his visit to England to the (Ecumenical Cuugrcss, Christchurch offering full pay aud £200 to enable Mr Reid to take bis family to England. The leave was granted. The Rev S. Lawry received leave of absence from Tuesday morning. It was resolved that a morniti? session he v °l H Ue « da 3 r t0 be S in afc 6 a ' ta * Also that the Conferebce aocept an ifavilation to a picnic at Brightwater on Ltiiesday. A deputation from the fariohs Temperance Societie"! in ftfeioOh then waited on the Conference. They were introduced within the bar by the Secretary, and welcomed by the I resident. Mr Pickard then read an address from the Good Templars. The address recited the evils arising from strong drink, acknowledged tbe countenance given by the Conference^ the Tempsrance cause, besought the continued and increased efforts to put down " the drinking Customs of society." Mr Heyhoe .then* on behalf of the Rech ahites, read a similar address, which* like its predecessor, was received with applause The President then called upon the Rev G. Bond, who, in appropriate terms, acknowledged and responded to the addresses. Mr Connell of Christchurch also spoke effectively in reply to the addresses. Mr Pickard spoke in acknowledgment of the kind reception accorded to the deputation. Mr Bond aleo spoke a few words, impressing on the Conference the necessity of supporting the Bands of Hope, After a few words from the President, the deputation withdrew. The reports of Mission and Educational properties were then, read ahd adopted. A Committee was appointed to investigate the condition of the Wellington Educational Trust. The Rev A. Reid, Treasurer, brought up the report of the Aged Ministers' Fund, showing an income from Circuit Contributions of £553 12s 3d ; and from Ministers' Subscriptions, £359 2s •* froth Arrears and Home Mission and Contingent Funds, £88 12s, making a total of £101 6s 3d. The expenditure was £967. The Children's Fund was considered next, and showed an income of £655 4s, and an expenditure of £922 4s, leaving a balance of £267 to be drawn from the General Treasurer in Australia; The Education ftund showed an income of £226 15s, and an expenditure of £201 12s, leaving a balance to be ferwarded to the General Treaaurer in Australia of £25 3s. The Conference presented its thanks to Rev A. Reid and J. Ballantyne, Esq., for their services as Treasurers of the Connexional Funds. The Rev Reid and C. W. Turner, Esq., were appointed Treasurers for the next year. The balance-sheet of the Contingent Fund showed an in come of £538 7s 6d, and a balance in hand of £141 Os 9d, making a total of £676 8s 3d. The expenditure amounted to £&27 19s 3d, leaving a balance ; of £348 9s. Out of thia balance, however, the expenses of the representees to the General Conference in Adelaide have to be defrayed. A motion to distribute the Minutes of the Conference gratuitously was lost, as was a proposal to pay expenses of country circuit stewards to the district meeting out of the Contingent I"und. ' Various officers and committees were then appointed, including tbe Home Mission Deputations. The Conference adjourned at 5.15. ' ' 1 ■ * 1 '