A NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Southland Times, Issue 890, 29 January 1868, Page 3

A NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

The overture from the Presbytery of) Clutha, for the establishment of a New Zealand University, was taken up. The Rev. Dr. Copland said that it was wholly unnecessary to urge the advantages that would result to the Church and the Colony, from having a University ; but there might be difference of opinion as to whether we were fipe for its establishment. Those who were acquainted with the facts believed that if a University was now commenced, there would be found a sufficient number of students to justify the expense that must necessarily be incurred. This Province had now, for a considerable time, enjoyed the advantages of a pretty extended preliminary education. As a consequence, there were many youths educated in Otago who were ripe for University training ; there were others who had reached such a stage before leaving Home ; and others still who had commenced a University course elsewhere, but had been compelled to interrupt it. The overture declared that the present time appeared to be a very favorable one for seeking to commence the scheme. That there was a general readiness on the part of the public, was evidenced by correspondence in the ntwspapers, and especially by a large public meeting in Dunedin, attended by the representatives of all the educated classes. That meeting was unanimous and heartily in favor of now prosecuting the object. Probably this Church was more interested than any other body in the establishment and success of a College : the existence and efficiency of the Church depended upon having means for the training of Ministers. 80 long ago as March, 186 L, the Presbytery of Otago had prepared a complete plan for an institution of their own — with a scheme so good, that a counterpart of it now would no doubt satisfy this Church and the country generally. That scheme included the appointment of two teachers, one for Greek and the other for Mathematics, at L 350 and L4OO a-year ; two others, at LSOO a year each, being provided for the more advanced courses of Philosophy and Theology. The overture stated that if the establishment of a College or University was not sought for now, there was reason to fear that it might soon become more difficult of attainment. That was a fact ; and it would have considerable weight with those acquainted with the political position of the Province and the Colony. If the Church could combine its influences and resources with those pf the Province, there would beat once, means for starting a University, somewhat rudimentary in its character, but of such a size or strength as amply to meet the claims upon a University constitued with the view of providing for the present necessities of the Colony, while it would have a respectable character in comparison with other Universities of recent formation. As to the resources of the Cbureh, he found that one-third of the fund for Ecclesiastical and Educational uses, "was set aside for educational purposes. There was an accumulated capital of upwards of LIOOO, and the annual income realised was something like £350. According to the provisions of the Act, this fund must be devoted to the endowment of a Literary or Scientific Chair. Eor a Theological Chair, there was, to begin with, L 75 a year from the College site. The two-thirds of the fund before mentioned amounted to something like LBOO yearly ; and it was to be devoted to grants for manses, and towards the endowment of a Theological Professorship. Probably from L2OO to L4OO a year, in proportion to the demands for manses, might be secured for the Professorship. Seeing that there was no reason to doubt that the Provincial Executive intended very shortly to take steps towards establishing a University or College, it was the plain duty of the Synod to show williugness to co-operate — not only with regard to influence but with regard to means Therefore, he would move — " That the Synod adopt the overture, and resolve to j appoint a Committee to confer with the Provincial Government as to the establishment of a college iv Dunediu, and in ; the event of any definite proposal being agreed to, that a pro re nata meeting of Synod be called to consider the same." ■ JDr Copland's motion was adopted; and the following were appointed the Committee : — The Moderator, Messrs BanI. nerman, Will, Stuart, Johnston, Srim-

geour, Sutherland, Todd, Grillies, and Copland, Ministers ; Messrs E. B. Cargill, James Adam, John Gillies, and A. Livingston, sen. Elders ; Mr Cargill to be convener." As to the College Committee's report, it was reeolved to adopt the same ; to approve of the diligence of the Committee ; and to instruct the Ministers of the Church again to bring before their congregations during this year, the importance of the fund for assisting young men in preparing for the Ministry. EXAMINATION OF STUDENTS. The reports of Presbyteries on this subject were called for. The Rev. W. Grillies reported on behalf of the Presbyiery of Dunedin, that they had had under examination Mr James Cbisholm, who was in the second year of his theological course, and Mr Andrew Fleming, in his first year. The Rev. D. M. Todd reported from the Presbytery of Clutha, that Mr Stevens j had entered upon the second year of his j literary course. I CHURCH EXTE^SIOitf COMMITTEE. The Rev. D. M. Stuart read this report which detailed the proceedings of the Committee. The financial position was not so satisfactory" as he should like ; but it was more satisfactory than he had at one time dared to hope. • The year was commenced with a balance of £52 17s Bd , the expenditure had been £583 8s 5d ; and the year ended with a balance against the Committee of £2-1 5s 9d. Bat Mr Munro, one of the Miuisters who came out for the Gfoldfielda, had been ill almost from the time of his arrival until his removal to Victoria ; and the fund had been charged with £105 on his account. Messrs Harris, Macassey, aud Turton, wrote that Mr A. M'Nab, of Mataura, and instructed them to prepare a deed of gift of Hi acres of land on his run,* and had refeiveJ them to the Synod for instructions as to the person or persons to whom the land should be couveyed. The thanks of the Synod were voted to Mr M'Nab and it was resolved that the Committee on the Interim Act should report as to the deed, &c. The Bey A. B. Todd brought up the Report of the Committee on the application of the Rev R. Drake, Congregational Minister, to be admitted a Minister of this Church. The Committee, after conferring with members of . the Presbytery of Southland, and careful consideration of the whole of the circumstances, could not, from the information received, recommend the Synod to grant Mr Drake's application ; but they considered that it might be left to Presbyteries, and to the Church Extension Committee, to give to Mr Drake employment as far as lay in their power. * The report was received ; and the Synod resolved accordingly. The Clerk read an application from Mr William M'Hutcheson, licentiate of the Presbyterian Church, for admission as a minister ; and it was resolved to remit the same to the Presbytery of Dunedin with powers. The Committee on the Deputation from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand reported; and the Synod agreed — That having heard the deputy (the Rev A. Bruce), the Synod record their satisfaction in this manifestation of fraternal regai'd on the part of the brethern in the North, and bail the prospect which the continuance of this brotherly intercourse opens up, of ultimate union at no remote future. That the Synod appoint the Moderator, the Rev R. Scrimgeour, and Mr James Adam, to attend the meeting, of the General Assembly, appointed to be held at Wellington, in. November next. CHURCH EXTENSION COMMITTEE. The consideration of the report of this Committee was resumed. The report contained a detailed statement of appointments, &c, during the year; and it concluded as follows : — " Tour committee beg the especial attention of the Synod to its instructions to them. They are as follows : — It was agreed to discharge the committee on the distribution of preachers, and to appoint in room thereof a Church Extension Committee to arrange with Presbyteries as to the employment of probationers and the giving of supply to preaching stations. In carrying on their work they found these instructions so vague as to endanger t.heir harmonious co-operation with the Presbyteries. The committee are unanimous in suggesting that the Synod shall empower them to make the appointments to sanctioned charges and stations ; whilst giving them particular directions to defer to the utmost practical extent to the wishes of the Presbyteries in. making these appointments. " Tour committee, in closing their ! report, would remiud the S"ynod of the extent of the Field calling for Christian Ordinances, and which, in every part, is ready to welcome efficient ministers. While several of our goldfields are still unprovided for, there are the Mataura and Waitaki, as well as districts that are filling up with agricultural settlers, for which they would bespeak the earnest, immediate, and prayerful attention of the Church." The Rev A. B. Todd urged that the following, as drawn by Mr Sutherland, should be adopted : — " That the Committee have power to appoint to vacant charges and stations, on the applications of Presbyteries, the persons so appointed to be under the superintendence of Presbyteries, while within their bound.-!. In the case of no applications for unemployed laborers, the Committee are empowered to use their best discretion in the occupation and supply of stations." The Rev A. Bruce suggested that there should be a motion, " That it be an instruction to the Committee to bring up next session, a detailed plan for providing supply for vacant charges." The thanks of the Synod were given to the Committee and their convener (Mr ; Stuart) ; and the Rev G-. Sutherland and Mr R. A. Lawson were added to the Committee.

On the motion of the Rev W. Bannerman, the following were appointed a Committee to prepare a draft address to His Royal Highness, Prince Alfred : — The Moderator, and Messrs Stuart and Scrimgeour : and Mr E. B. Cargill. It was agreed on the suggestion of the Rev Dr Copland, to add to the University Committee, the name of the Rev Dr Burns, which had been accidentally omitted from the motion adopted on Thursday ; and to appoint the Rev D. M. Stuart as joint convener with Mr E, B. Cargill, the latter gentleman having been unexpectedly compelled to visit Melbourne. REPORT OP THE FOREIGN MISSIONS COMMITTEE. The Rev. Dr. Copland brought up the report of this committee. The following is an abstract : — The committee regretted that their labors during the first year had been chiefly of a peepararory character. Immediately after the rising of the Synod, the committee proceeded to the first business remitted to them — procuring a Missionary to labor in the New Hebrides. They communicated to Mr Copeland the strong desire of the Synod that he should be their Missionary. Mr Copeland was most willing, provided his committee at home consented; but an answer received since the present meeting commenced, showed that the church which Mr Copeland represented were altogether unwilling to agree. The committee recommended, now, that an application should be made to the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, to procure a suitable agent from their own or some other Presbyterian Church ; and, if successful, should send him direct to the New Hebrides. The committee sent circulars to each Minister of this church directing attention to the injunction of the Synod as to a collection for Missions ; an atiswer had been received in nearly every case ; and the report of the Gl-eneral Treasurer showed that L 330 7s 3d for Foreign, and Ll4O 14s 7d for the New Hebrides. — [The latter amount, Dr Copland said, was understood to represent the contributions towards the insurance and maintenance of the Dayspring ; and the other sum was for Missions generally, and no other had yet been taken in hand than the mission to the New Hebrides.] The committee recommended that in future the contributions as for the different fields should be kept distinct — at least as far as constituting two funds — one for the New Hebrides, and the other for the Maori and the Chinese Missions: The committee had communicated with the .Bremen Society, though Mr Voulars, as to whether that Society intended to send a Missionary to occupy the place of the late Rev Mr Reimenschneider, at the Heads. It had been ascertained that the Bremen Society did not intend to send out another Missionary, but desired that the Church here should undertake the work. Mr Voulers had intimated that there was a sum of money due to the representatives of Mr Reimenschneider, in connection with the erection of the Manse at the Heads ; and the Committee had written that the Synod would certainly act fairly and honorably in the matter. The Rev A. Bruce strongly recommended the Synod not to send to the Heads, any person, whether under the name of agent or otherwise, who was not qualified and authorised to discharge the whole duties of a Missionary. If that point was not attended to, great harm might be done. In the North, a better spirit was now beivig manifested amongst the Maons : they were desiring to be instructed in English ; so that they might be fitted to take their places as members of the community, and by being enabled to read the Scriptures in English, be better able to understand their white brethren than they had been hitherto. There was much discussion as to Collections, and as to the form in which those for Missions appeared in the Treasurer's accounts. ; The Synod subsequently were occupied in the discussion of minor points of Church government, until its last sitting. An ovarture was presented from several ministers, praying that in consequencs of the Rector of the High School holding certain religious opinions antagonistic to the great body of the Scotch people, he should therefore be removed. After a lengthened discussion, the overture was sustained, and it was resolved to memorialise the Superintendent on the subject. The Synod then adjourned sine die.