WESLEYAN DISTRICT SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 287, 5 December 1901, Page 2

WESLEYAN DISTRICT SYNOD.

WEDNKSDAY 4th DECEMBER. MOBNING SESSION. Tha following new erections were reported Hawera Circuit: a parsonage; Patea, a new vestry; Opunake Circuit: Pihama, a new'church. Wanganui: A gymnasuim. Sindoi and Feilding: Rangotea, new ohurc'i. Sites have been purclia*ed at Hawera and Awatuna.

Sanction was given to erect ne v churches at Pungarehu, of the New Plymouth Circuit Home Mission; A«a tuna, Opunake Circuit; to remove t'w church at Ha*er&, aod build eight ne y class rooms; new church at Cheltenham in the Sindon and Feilding Circuit ; additions to churjb at Wai'ara ; to build a parsonage at Inglewood, build a new church, or make additions 'o one existing at Midhirst, both in the Waitara Circuit.

AFTERNOON SESSION. The Synod passed a resolu'ioa re t'e Grey Institute, affirming the desirableness that the trustees should be em powered to decide and lease as they deem expedient, on expiry of present leases at 31st July, 1902, t#rm« of which were given, and recommending the Conference to agree. The thanks of the Synod were tendered to the treasurer and trustees of the Grey Trust for their valuable labour in thd interest of the trust.

Rtv J. Dukes was elected the District Representative to the coming Conference.

On the motion of the Rev S. Liwry, the following resolutions re Oonoexional Secretaryship was carried by 26 to 4 : "Than Conference be recommended to discontinue the office of Connexional Secretary, and to provide for the performance of the duties by (1) emptying a competent layman to do the clerical work of the Church Building and Loan Fund, and the Fire Insurance Fund, such layman to act under the direction of the committees appointed by the Conference to manage these funds; (2) distributing the remaining duties among the ministers and laymen of the church; and further that the Conference appoint a committee to.consider and report at an early stage on all matters pertaining to the future performance of the duties now performed by the Connexional Secretary."

PUBLIC MEETING. The Whiteley Memorial Church was well filled on Wednesday evening, when a public meeting was addressud iby members of the ministry, on the conclusion of the Synod sittings, The chair was taken by Mr W. G. Bisse.t, of Wanganui, who gave a short introductory address. The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury then spoke briefly on " Christian socialism," pointing out the need for earnest and thorough Christian education of the masses in order to uplift civilization to its highest degree. The Rev. S. Lawry followed, giving an interesting and instructive addre-s lon "Some achievements of the nineteenth century," and Rev. A. C. Lawry also made a strong appeal on behalf of the suppression of gambling, drawing particular attention to the ovils wrought by the existence of the total isator in New Zealand. The collec'ions were announced to have been £BS 3s 7d-£65 13s 7d on Sunday and £l9 10j on Wednesday. During the evening the choir rendered valuable ass-stance, the sieging of a quartet,'? God is a spirit," and the " Halleluiah Ohorija 1! beiug highly appreciated, ■ Votes of things were affcordecf tq the chairnian of the district (Rev. H. R. Dewe'jury), to the preachers who took b rvices on Sunday, to 'he choir, and to Mr IV. G. Bissett for presiding at the' public meeting, | The singing of the Dosology brought < the proceedings to a close,