WANGANUI PRESBYTERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9460, 1 June 1909, Page 8

WANGANUI PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary meeting was held at Marton to-day. Present: Revs. Evans (Bolls) moderator, MoOnlly (Turakina) clerk, Ross and Morton f Wanganui), Wnite (Levin), Hudson (Fordell), Gunn (Mangaweka), Jolly (Palmerston), Gordon (Marten). Walker (Haioombe), and Messrs R. K. Simpson (Turakina), Hughes (Wanganui), Stewart < Levin), McFarland (Feiiding), Gaird (Mangaweka) elders; and Messrs Aiken (Foxton), and Loan !(Rewa) Commissioners. Apologies were received from Revs. Hall (Huuterville), Budd (Feiiding), and Mr John McGregor <elder) Fordell. . , , Rev. White.(Levin) was appointed moderator for the next term. Rev. Evans, the retiring moderator, thanked the brethren for kind consideration and forbearance shown daring his term of office and then welcomed the newly-appointed moderator. ' The Commission in favour of Mr Aiken, as elder at Foxton, was sustained. . , Notice of motion was given by Rev. Hudson “That owing to additional information received regarding Mr Bishop’s (Taihape) case, the Whole matter be reconsidered at the next meeting of the Presbytery. Reports from various .mission stations were then taken. Rev. Morton reported that the Home Missionary at Eastbrook was doing satisfactory work. Rev. Gunn reported that Mr Bloomfield was making progress at Raetihi station, although the finances of the district were not satrsfactofy: The speaker stated he had been endeavouring to get matters working on a better basis. The district was a big one to work and he had spent five days in the locality in Order to get a plan for Mr Bloomfield. He-bad dote this and the needs of the district should now be well satisfied. There were seven preaching places at an average distance of 17 miles. With regard to Ohakune the report was unfavourable and practically no regular services were being held. A site had been offered for a church and he Tecommended that steps be taken to secure it. This was done. Continuing, Rev. Guuu said he was of opinion that Rangitawa was going to be the centre for church work on the Main Trunk. They had now at this place a congregation from 40 to 60, which was very gratifying. The people were in good heart and had bought a building for a small sum and had enlarged ir, fitted the place up with seats and bought an organ. The church had a strong hold there and it was imperative to get a suitable site tor a church. Rangitawa was going to be the only important repairing station oa the railway line from Franktoh to >Marton. The Sunday School there had an attendance of forty. The question of a section at Rangitawa was left to a sabcommittee to see what was,best to he done.

Mr Bloomfield was granted power to baptise and marry, jj Rev. Gunn was congratulated on his satisfactory report. Mr Loan apologised for the ■ unavoidable absence of Rev. Hall. He gave a satisfactory report of work done at Rewa. A recent bazaar had realised a profit of |£IOB. This splendid result showed how Well the people were working together. Spiritually the work of the district was going forward. Rev. Evans reported on Haloombe and regretted that owing to many leading residents having left the district, there was not much prospegt of continuing church work at this place. Mr Walker had offered to - continue his duties which was accepted and appreciation of his work recorded. Work will be continued at Haloombe as at present. Rev. Ross stated that Mr Farra had left Utiku and they were looking out for a missionary to take his place. Mr Ewart was carrying on work at Taihape as usual. Rev. Jolly said that work at Foxton was progressing. Six new elders had been ordained. Ha found that financial affairs were in a sound position and many indications of spiritual life and interest. Leave was granted to lease a section at Tiakitabuua for a church. Rev. Morton brought forward, bis proposals for Dr. Porteous’ visit to the Presbytery, and the plan was approved. The Presbytery expressed its deepest sympathy with Mr R. Tucker (Wanganui) on the death of hi a son. Left Sitting.