METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8055, 23 February 1906, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

PBII I'KKSS ASSOCIATION. Dun Km x. February 22. The Methodist Conference of jS'cw Zealand hold its iirsf- meeting tliis evening in Trinity Methodist Chureli. There was a large attendance of representatives, i-leri.'sil and lay. The Rev, •f. Newman Buttle (New Plymouth) presided, ami delivered his presidential address. He said there hud been no burning questions during the year, and indicated that the question of an independent self-governing eoiiferenee lor New Zealand would lie the most important matter to come up, The president having been (hanked for his address, the election of a new president was taken, and the Itev. T. (j. Brooke, of Morningtou, was elected on the first ballot, by 72 out of 115. The tfev, C. S. Laws was re-elected secretary.

POUT CHALMERS DOCK. i ri ; Di'.nkuin. February 22. At the meeting of the Dunediu Harbour Hoard to-day, ii letter was received from the Dock Trust, stating it would be an advantage to have two feet more water on the sill of the new dock, and other alterations, but the Trust had no funds available. If the Board would guarantee the interest on the cost, of the alterations, say, jfcl.uut), the Trust would ewer into negotiations with a contractor to perforin tho work. The question of legality of the Trust proceeding with the dock with less depth thau 25 feet provided in the Act was raised, and it was decided to refer the matter to the Hoard's solicitor for his opinion.