VACANCY AT ST. JOHN’S

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12608, 19 November 1926, Page 8

VACANCY AT ST. JOHN’S

REV. BLANCHARD NOMINATED SPECIAL MEETING HELD. A special meeting of the congregation of St. John’s Church was held last night, the Moderator, Reverend Bruce Todd, being in the chair. There was a very large attendance of parishioners, and the Kirk session and the board of .management were fully represented. The business of the evening was to consider the recent vacancy in the pastorate.

On the motion of Mr M. D. Menelaus, it was agreed to forward a call to the Rev. J. Blanchard, 8.A.. of Perth, Western Australia. The motion was seconded by Mr Stone. In connection with this, several letters were received from ministers in Australia and New Zealand, who'wrote very highly of the Rev. 'Blanchard, and who supported the recommendation that he fill the vacancy. In their opinion he is the man most suited for the position, and he will undoubtedlv give entire satisfaction to all. The commissioners appointed to sustain the call before the Presbytery are: Messrs \V. Honkirs, .'(.11., Menelaus, and A. H. Wallace. The Reverend Blanchard, who is a comparatively young man, has held some very important positions in Australia. o_ne of them being Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of that country. Ho is known as the sky pilot, as in Australia his parish extends over such a large area that he travels from place to place in an aeroplane. The following men spoke in support of the motion, nnd also very eulogistiislly about the nominee: Messrs Malcolm Fraser, S. W. Webber, W. Hopkirlc, and G. A. Troupe.