WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5256, 28 January 1878, Page 2

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

(Morning Session, Jan. 26.) The President took the chair soon after ten o’clock. Prayer was offered by the Rev. T. G. Hammond and Mr. Moore. The roll having been called over, the record of the previous day’s session was read by the SECRETARY and adopted. The Rev. A. R. Fitchett gave notice of the following motion ;—l. That it is expedient that New Zealand should be separated from the Australian General Conference, and constituted an independent Church under a constitution which should provide for an annual admiuistrat ve and triennial legislative conference. 2. That the change should take effect after the Conference of 1881. 3. That a committee be appointed at the New Zealand Conference of 1879, to sit during the year and prepare detailed plan. The Rev. Thomas Boodle read the annual report of the Church Extension Association, which was adopted. The following agents have been employed by the association during the year : —Three English missionaries, ministering to both English and Maori congregations; five Maori ordained missionaries ; five Maori catechists; eight English Home Mission agents, and one Scandinavian. Connected with the mission there are ten English and nineteen Maori congregations, twenty English and fifty five other preaching places, four Maori day-schools, and fourteen Maori Sundayschools. In the English department the work of the association had made satisfactory progress during the year at Wairoa, Ashburton, and Mornington ; several weak circuits had been aided, and grants made in aid of the erection of new parsonages. The following are the financial returns to the funds of the association during the past year : —Auckland District, £242 17s. ; Taranaki and Wanganui Dist-iet, £lOl ss. 55.; Wellington, £142 12s. Id. ; Nelson District, £65 16s. 4d.; Canterbury District, £317 2s. 2d.; Otago District, £BO 10s. 3d.; rent of connectioual properties, £336 9s. 10d.; Rev, J. Aldred, donation, £29 55.; total income, £1315 18s. Id.; expenditure, £1604 Is. Bd.; balance to be raised, £164 2s. Bd. The evening sitting commenced at 2.30, the Rev. R. Bavin leading in prayer. The Revs. Messrs. Reid, Richardson, and Bavin were appointed a committee to hear Mr. Gray’s trial sermon, and report upon the same to the Conference. STATION sheet FOR 1878. The following is the third reading of the station sheet, which determines the location of each minister for the ecclesiastical year commencing in April next:— “1. Auckland District.—Auckland : W. Kirk, G. Bond; John Hobbs, James Wallis, Henry Lawry, John Whewell, supernumeraries; T. Buddie, Secretary of the Church Extension Association and Principal of the College, Thames : R. Bunn. Manukau :J. Law; J. Warren, supernumerary, Waiuku and Pukekohe : S. J. Garlick. Waikato: W. J. Watkins. Raglan : C. H. Schnackenberg, W. Patene, H. Ngaropi. Kaipara ; W. Gittos. Hokianga : T. G. Hammond, Thomas Buddie, Chairman of the District. “2. Tar.maki and Wanganui District.— New Plymouth : F. W. Isitt. Patea: P. W. Fairclough. Wanganui : W. Lee; G. Stannard, supernumerary. Rangitikei: S. Lawry. Manawatu ; J. T. Shaw, F. O. Dewsbury.— William Lee, Chairman of the District. “3. Wellington District.—Wellington : A. Reid, J. W. Williams, Heteraki Warihi. Hutt : W. G. Thomas. Greytown : J. B. Richardson. Napier : W. Oliver ;J. Berry, supernumerary. Scandinavian Mission :E. Neilsen. Alexander Reid, Chairman of the District. Nelson District.-—Nelson: R. Bavin, W. Rowse; G. S. Harper, supernumerary. Blenheim; J. S. Risk worth. Hokitika: J. Smith. Kumara; J. ST. Buttle. Greymouth: H. Bull. Rainsford Bavin, Chairman of the District. “5. Canterbury District.—Christchurch : W. Morley, J. S. Smalley, J. Luxford; John Aldred, supernumerary. St. Albans; The President of the Conference. Lyttelton: W, H. Beck, T. Kote. Springstou: J. A. Taylor. Leeston: W. Worker. Kaiapoi: J. Armitage. Rangiora: W. Cannell, H. Ellis. Timnru: J. H. Simmonda. Waimate; T. Fee. Temuka; W, S. Harper. Ashburton: W. B. Marten. The President, Chairman of the District. 6. Otago District. —Dunedin: A.R. Fitchett, Mornington ; J. J. Lewis, Port Chalmers ; W. Keal. Balclutha and Milton : T. J. Carr. Lawrence :W. Baumber. Invercargill: D. MeNicoll. Oamaru :H. Dewsbury. A. R. Fitchett, Chairman of the District. The consideration of subjects relating to the Church Extension Association was resumed. Grants were made in aid of Maori Mission work at the following places :—Hokianga, Kaipara, Raglan, Wellington District, and Eaupaki (Canterbury); also in aid of English Home Mission work at Kaukapaka, Mahurangi, Wairoa, Ashburton, and Waikouaiti. Grants in aid of circuits were, voted to Patea, Manawatu, Grey town (conditionally), Kumara, and Port Chalmers. In aid of parsonages, to Richmond, Waikato, Norsewood, Napier, Oamaru, Leeston, and Ashburton. Also in aid of furniture for parsonages, to Hokianga, Waikato, Nelson, Leeston, Rangiora, Ashburton, Balclutha, and Oamaru. £SO was voted for the establishment of a city mission at Dunedin ; £2OO in aid of the collegiate institution, and £SO to the Norsewood mission. Estimated expenditure for next year, £25_U 18a. lOd. In order to meet this proposed increased expenditure, the amounts allocated t* the circuits were enlarged, aud the ministers and lay representatives agreed to urge upon their respective congregations the necessity of greater liberality in supporting the funds of this Important association.

The following ministers were appointed deputations to visit the circuits of their respective districts during 1878, to advocate the interests of the Horae Mission and Church Extension Association:—Auckland District, lie v. T. Buddie ; Wanganui and Taranaki District, Revs. W. Lee and F. W. Issit; Wellington District, Bev. A. Beid ; Nelson District, Bev. E. Bavin ; Canterbury District, Bev. A. E. Fitcbett; and Otago District, the President. On the motion of the Bev. J. B. RichardBON, it was agreed to request the Bev. F. 0. Dewsbury to render ministerial aid to the Nelson Circuit till April next. The Conference adjourned at 9 o’clock, the President pronouncing the benediction.