PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7714, 17 January 1905, Page 2

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

'. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHL'BCH, Jan. 16. The Primitive Methodist Conference received a deputation from the 1 Chrlstchurch Ministers' Association. Addresses were delivered by Rev. ■_ S. La wry (President of the Method- . ist Conference), who spoke on the i. prevailing indifference in tho public attitude toward social problems, and Dr. Ewing, who urged the need of j attention to spiritual realities. Rev. _ W. S. Potter and Mr C. M. Luke re- _ plied. j The report on' church properties „ stated that there wore 69 churches—an increase of five, and 37 houses. ' The property cost £50,682, an increase of £7803, and was valued at £59,946, an increase of £5jW4. The amount paid off the debt was £ll3B, and the income was £11,089 18s. There wore 14,226 sittings and 9683 bearers. A temperance deputation' was received, Dr. Russell a nd Mr Whichlhcr giving addresses. The Rev. R. J. Dawson and Mr Leadley replied. - Tho latter stated that prohibition t had been successful in Ashburton, ' the moral status being improved and f prosperity increased. The Gas Com--3 pany had declared onc-tiPW cout^ 2 higher dividend than 'over before. t Deposits in tho local building socle- : ry and savings bank had increnßod. r A public meeting was held to-night. - Rev. Mann, Messrs T. E. Taylor, and - C. M. Luke delivering addresses on - .temperance work. Mr Taylor spoke ' of the comingi licensing campaign, ' predicting success for the No-License J Party. He said tho Sclwyn and ■ Courtney electors would almost certainly join Ashburton in tho prohi- ' bition ranks. » ——-———■