WESLEYAN ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 281, 25 November 1881, Page 4

WESLEYAN ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

The eighth annual Wecleyao Methodist District Meeting of the Nelson District begen its sessions in the ichoolroom of tbe Hsrdy-street Wesleyan Church on Friday last, Nov. 18tfa, when the Rev W.Lee (Chsirm.r.), J. Berry, T. G. Csrr, C H. Standage, S. Lawry, and Mr J. Hoiking were present. Rev J. Berry waa elected Secretary to tba meeticg. The Kumara Home Mission Station asked for the appointment of an unmarried minister for next year instead of a Borne Missionary, but the meeting, in view of the prospect, of the Btation, refuted to recommend any change for tbe present. A resolution from the Blenheim Quarterly Meeting, requested that a Home Missionary be located at H.velcck, to woik PictOD, Pelorus Vslley, and the various places in the Sounds, was f.votably entertained, nnd the Conference recommend, d to give effect to the request. Permission wns given to Revs C H. Standsge and S Lawry to attend the Conference st Cbristchnrch next January. The qu.s. tion re bapt'um.l registration evoked a general expression of opinion to the effect that when per Eons who do not belong to the Cborch present their children for baptism, tbe nature of the ordinance and tbe obligations arising therefrom should be clearly set forth by tbe minister so tbat tbe responsibility astamed and tbe privileges claimed be understood by the parents. The Sunday School report wjb brought, up by the District Secretary, Rev T. G, Carr. Tbe general average attendance of tbe teaeh.ra was considered good. The libraries were reported a* being considerably added to in some of the circuits. A goodly cumber of elder scholars were stated to be on the membership roll of the Chore.. On Tuesday Me__r. J. H. Cock, J. G. ' Harkness, and Rutherford attended 'while the financial session wss being held. The meeting passed a resolution expressing .he opinion thst it was desirable for the Motueka Home Missionary work to he in connection with the Richmond Circuit with a view to an additional minister being appointed at an early date, and the chairman was requested to take steps to effect euch .arrangement. The balloting for a representative of the di.trict to the Stationing Committee of the next Conference resulted in the election of the Rer. J. Berry. Ihe following is a summary of the statistical returns for the Nelson district : — Churches and other preaching places, 42 ; Ministers, 5; Home Missionaries,- 2; Sunday School Teachers, 181 ; Local Preachers, 21 j Class Leaders, 13 ; Members, Com-P-ÜBicant., i.Bnd^:;Cat-.&uni.. ?y JGI2 t ;

Sunday Schools, 17 : Sunday Scholars. 1281; Attendants on public worship, including the scholars, 36C6. The Church property report was brought up by Mr J. H. Cock. Ifc showed that improvements bad been effected in the Rich mond property, tbe Parsonage furnished at Hokitika, a- d lhat the Church debt at the latter place had also been slightly reduced. The new Church at Blenheim was reported to have been destroyed by fire prior to ita completion, and the building to replace it, now in course of of construction, is expected to be opened early neit year. Mr Cock was thanked for his report, and requested to make a record of the information contained in the property schedules. The various connexioual funds were reviewed, and tbo receipts and expenditure considered. The following amounts were proposed to be made for next year:— Motueka £25, Kumara £25 Hokitika £100, and £25 towards parsonage furniture. The income for the district was estimated at £115. The concluding session was held on Wednesday, when various matters aflectmg the welfare of the Church were passed under review, and measures suggested with a view to greater success in the future. After the mioutes had been signed by the Chairman and Secretary, the meeting Was brought to a close with devotional exercises.