SOUTHLAND PRESBYTERY.

Southland Times, Issue 1192, 7 January 1870, Page 2

SOUTHLAND PRESBYTERY.

(communicated.) This court held its quarterly meeting on the sfch inst. There were" present Revs. A. H. Stobo, moderator, Thomas Alexander, and James Clark, ministers, and Mr John Murdoch, elder. The Rev. A. Honore, Maori missionary, being present, was associated with the presbytery. It was agreed to ask power from tho Synod to sanction Winton, Forest Hill, and adjoining runs as a ministerial charge. Mr Murdoch called the- attention of the presbytery to the spiritual destitution of Stewart's Island. It was agreed to appoint Messrs Stobo and Murdoch a committee, with power to add to their number, to make inquiries as to the amount of destitution, and what may be done to remedy it. The Clerk laid on the table an extract minute from the Sußfcentation 3?und Committee, containing some recommendations anent the distribution of the fund. The presbytery having considered the same, and while alive to the necessity of having some check on defaulting congregations, are not yet prepared to say what the particular nature of such a check should b,e. Mr Stobo having suggested a plan for the distribution of preachers, the presbytery, whilst not prepared to pronounce on its details, yet think that the adoption of some such plan is a matter deserving the serious consideration of the church. ; The presbytery agreed that Eiverton and Switzers should be made exceptional cases in receiving the grant of £50 from the trust funds for glebes. The presbytery, on application from the Deacons' Court of Eiverton, authorized that Court to borrow a sum not exceeding £150, on the security of church property. The Sabbath Observance Committee were instructed to remonstrate with the Sub Collector of Customs at the Bluff, and communicate with the Colonial Secretary, with a view to discontinue Sabbath desecration at the Bluff, and also instruct the committee to take steps to get the law forbidding the sale of milk after nine o'clock in the morning put in force. The presbytery adjourned to meet on the 6th of April next, at 11 o'clock a.m.