PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1726, 11 April 1873, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND.

The quarterly meeting of the Presbytery of Southland was held on Wednesday, the 9th inst. There were present the Eev. Messrs Stevens, Alexander, Charles Ross, Thomson, and Stobo, ministers; and "William Grant and George Dawson, elders. Mr Thomson was appointed Moderator for the next year. The Clerk laid on the table various remits of Synod. The Presbytery having taken into con•ideration the remit anent oversight of the Maories, it was resolved that as the spiritual oversight of the Maories at Riverton and Colac's Bay was devolved on this church by the Bremen Society, when their agents were withdrawn, and this church is paying a small sum to a native catechist, Mr Ross be instructed to take all needful steps to obtain the most efficient spiritual oversight of them that is possible in the circumstances. It was agreed to take into consideration the remit anent the administration of baptism at the October meeting of Presbytery. The Presbytery having considered the remit anent the providing of Bursaries for young men studying for the Ministry, it was resolved that Deacons' Courts be encouraged to take steps to provide Scholarships in those congregations that are within the bounds, that are in cir- j cumstancea to do so, and that the ministers of the remaining congregations be instructed to call the attention of their Deacons' Court* to the matter, with a view to see what proportion each congregation might be able to contribute towards a Presbytery Scholarship. It was agreed that the Synod's remit anent the employment of law agents be taken up at the next ordinary meeting ol Presbytery. Tbe Synod's remitanent the originating of an " Aged and Infirm Ministers' fund" was then considered, when it was resolved that, in accordance therewith, ministers be enjoined to bring the matter as early as possible before tbeir Kirk Sessions and Deacons' Courts, and that the following gentlemen be requested to act as a committee for the purpose of for warding the object in Southland, viz., Messrs Thomas Watson, J. R. Cuthbertson, Alexander M'Nab, A. J. Elles, and Captain Brown. f The Clerk jeported that at a conference , between the Presbytery of Clutha and Southland, during the time of the Synod's meeting, it was agreed that the districts of Hokanui and Longford, including Knapdale, should be connected with the charge of Lower Mataura. Mr Boss, who had visited Orepuki, brought before the notice of the TPresbytery its spiritual destitution. The Presbytery having taken into cons id era tion the wants of such districts as Orepuki and Nokomai, it was resolved to endeavor to obtain the services of Mr Stevens, 'student in divinity, and to instruct Mr Ross to take steps with a view to obtaining his services for Orepuki. The Presbytery proceeded to examine the records of Kirk Sessions and Deacons' Courts, and the annual financial statements having been read, the business was brought to a close. The Presbytery adjourned to meet on the last Wednesday of June (the 25th) at 11 a.m.