PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9415, 8 April 1909, Page 8

PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI.

The Presbytery met at Marton on Tuesday for Its ordinary business. Present: Revs. Evans (moderator), Ibitsoa, Morton, Jolly, Badd, White and Ross, ministers; Messrs,,McFarland, McGregor, P. Stewart, Lambert, Mnnro, and McEldowney, elders. Mr 3. O. Loan and Rev. E. Walker Were also present. Commission from Turakina in favour of Mr R. K. Simpson was sustained. ' Apologies were received for absence of Messrs Hall, Hughes, Findlay and Simpson. Mr Jolly read a letter from Mrs Dunlop, acknowledging the Presbytery’s motion of sympathy. Mr Morton reported on Eastbrook that Mr John W. Ross, M.A., 1 had been supplying till recently and he was looking one for a successor. The sum of £33 had just been raised by means of a sale of work. Mr McOnlly reported that Mr Bloomfield was meeting with success at Raetihi. _ ' Mr Ross reported that Mr Ewart was expected at Taihape in a few days in succession to Mr Bishop. A most satisfactory report .came from Rewa and amongst other gratifying facts stated that the people during Mr Loan’s absence on holiday bad made additions to the manse and beautified it both inside and out. The Presbytery passed a motion appreciating the people’s efforts. ~ Mr Budd reported that Mr James McKenzie had left Apiti, and before

his departure the various districts had combined to give him a hearty send-off, and had presented him with many very costly mementoes of his work amongst them. Mr D, McKenzie now takes up Apiti and retains power to celebrate baptisms and marriages. Mr Jolly reported that the Shannon congregation had held a most successful sale of work and wiped ont the debt Of £llO on the church. It was agreed to express the Presbytery’s hearty appreciation of the work of Mr Hntobison in the district daring tbe summer. Rev. J. White was appointed moderator of Shannon. A most satisfactory account of the progress of tbe church, was received from Foxtou. The action of the Olerk In securing church site at Owhango was ap-

proved. Correspondence was read which ■ showed that it was not necessary to exchange the church site at Mangai’Oft.

The convener of the Assembly’s Evangelistic Committee wrote, regarding, Evangelistic work in the various congregations and a committee was appointed to go into the matter and see what conld be done to come into line with the proposals. The following motion was passed re Mr “Bishop: In accepting the resignation of Mr E. Bishop, the Presbytery places- on record its hearty appreciation of the faithful work he has done in Taihapa in. bringing the congregation into a state of mnch higher efficiency. Mr Bishop has worked against many serious difficulties and the Presbyterv rejoices at the success of his labours and trusts that in tne providence of God Mr Bishop may be restored to complete health and some suitable sphere of labour may open up for him.

Mr Ibitsou reported that the Commission appointed to disease the boundaries of presbyteries had met at Tanmaranui with representatives from Waikato, and had agreed to recommend that the Presbytery of Taranaki be bounded on the north by the Tongaporutu River, and the ; Tangarabaa Gorge, and on the • south by Waitotara River, and tbenoe to Pipiriki. They also recommended that the Ohara district be attached to the new Presbytery. A letter was received from the clerk of the Southland Presbytery, reporting the induction of the Rev. R. M. Ryburn at Invercargill. A circular *vras read from Rev. A. S. Morrison, regarding the church’s proposed scheme for fire insurance, and.it was agreed to recommend the matter to the congregations. The committees appointed to carry Out the visitation of Apiti, Peilding, and Palmerston .North gave in very satisfactory reports and the Presbytery adopted suitable deliverances in each case, which will be dnly read to the congregations. The clerk was instructed to see if he could make arrangements for the Presbytery to meet at Marton . Junction as it would be some saving of time. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Marton on the Ist June.