WESLEYAN HOME MISSIONS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 310, 24 October 1888, Page 2

WESLEYAN HOME MISSIONS.

Tnß annual meeting- in connection with the New Zealand Wesloyan Home Mission and Church Extension Fund was held in the Wesleyan Church, Te Aroha, on Wednesday evening 1 last. There was a moderate attendance. The service waa conducted by the Rev. S. Lawry and Mr W, J. Elliott. The proceedings commenced with the singing of hymn 34, and during the service the choir rendered two selections: "There's a a Work for Each," and " Redeemed." Extracts from the annual report of the Home Mission Committee were read by Mr Elliott, The income for 1887 was less than that o[ the preceeding year by Ll5O 15s 2d, and less than expenditure by L 371 6s lOd. In the Maori department of the Mission three colonial ministers are employed, viz., Rev. W. Gittos, to whom is entrusted the general oversight of the work in the Auckland District ; Rev. T. G. Hammond, who, in addition to the English work in the Patea Circuit, takes charge of the Maori Mission on the Wanganni coast, and Rev. T. A. Joughin, who labours among the Maoris and Europeans of the Hokianga Circuit. The Home Missionaries, who serve as the Church's pioneers at the outposts of colonial settlements, number seventeen. O[ these, eight are in the Auckland district, one in Wanganui, one in Wellington, three in Nelson, one in Canterbury, and three in Otago. The attendants at the services conducted by these are estimated at 3,682 persons. Grants, varying from LlO to L 55 each, amounting to L 220, have been allocated to nine of these Home Mission Stations. Nineteen circuits are this year receiving grants in aid, varying from LlO to ' L6O each ; the total amount thus exexpended being L 604. These assisted circuits, however, contribute to the fund, the aggregate amount of their assessment for the present year being L25-A. The Scandinavian Mission reports 360 members and adherents, employs two ministers and receives agrant of L 72 10s. The Rev. S. Lawry referred at some length to the items in the balance sheet of 1887. The receipts from the Auckland district were L 678 3s ; Wanganui District, LB7 18s 6d ; Wellington District, LI B 2 4s 6d j Nelson District, LIO7 18s ; Canterbury District, L 498 14s ; Otago District, L 176 9s 2d. By connexional properties the sum of L 415 8s 3d was realisod, by interest on investmentsL236. The total receipts amounted to L 2,382 19s lid. The expenditure was L 2,754 6s 9d, leaving a' deficiency of L 371 6s lOd. The collections maie on behalf of the society in the Upper Thames district amounted to LIB 2s 2d. Over LI6 of the amount were collected by means of Sunday School cards. The Rev. W. J, Keall gave ah interesting address on the work of the Mission in New Zealand and elsewhere, which was listened to with much attention. At the close of the service a collection was made in aid of tho fund.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of the Illustrated Australian No a sot the 13th insl. As usual, a variety of interesting scones are depicted, including an excellent full-page illustration showing the resemblance of the main entrance of the Melbourne Exhibition by night. The reading matter treats on a number of interesting subjects. The contractors for the extension of the Domain lawn were enabled last week to make good progress, the weather being fine. They have still over a week's work in hand. Professor Anderson, the prestidigitator, gave a long entertainment in the Public Hall last Saturday to a ciowded house. He was assisted by Mdlle. De La Cour, and the performance passed off successfully.