THE METHODIST SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 291, 3 December 1908, Page 4

THE METHODIST SYNOD.

The Synod resumed in ministerial session at 9.30 yesterday morning, when the Revs. It. B, Tinsley and J. 1. Martin were unanimously recommended to pass in their year subject to their written ■ examinations being satisfactory. Messrs. A. I''. Burehell and C. Carr were unanimously recommended to the Conference as candidates for the ministry.

The Methodist Synod assembled in financial session at 2 p.m. when the president (Kcv. C. E. Beecroit) welcomed ihj lay deteg.iLes from the various circuits in the district. The following gentlemen responded to the call of the roll:—Messrs. C. E. Chatterton, J. \\\ Boon, 0. l'earse, Everett, E. Taylor, S. (i. liurgess, W. liaukroiiger, W. 0. Clement, K. Dixon, L. M. Barraclough, W. Symons, T. I>, llughson, Ci. Hollard, W. Bassctt, F. M. Spurdle, M. H. Wilton, T. Masters, W. Mills, W. T. llowater, S. Sanson, C. Collis, and C. Darrill.

Tile Rev. T. C!. Brooke referred to the rapid increase of population-in the district under the Synod's jurisdiction and tile enormous amount of travelling elltailed upon the chairman of the district owing to the extension of the church's operations; and in view of the loss resulting to the chairman's circuit owing to his oversight of a growing district, Mr. Brooke moved that the present Wanganui district be divided into two parts, so that a new district might be constituted. After soiue discussion the motion was withdrawn, and a motion by Mr. T. G. Hammond to set up a committee and report on the whole question to "this Synod was accepted.

It was decided to recommend the transference of Waituna West from the lvimbolton home mission station to the Feilding circuit. A grant of £2O from the Home Mission Fund was recommended to be paid to Wharea-Itu to assist him in the generous service he is rendering the missionaries among the Maoris on the coast. Mr. Bassett, in supporting the motion for the grant, promised to be responsible for one quarter ol the amount.

The district secretary of church property (Mr. W. Bowater) presented his report, which showed a satisfactory condition of affairs in the district trusts. The total amount owing to the Loan Fund is £IB3B 2s. Trust debts have been reduced by £7BO 18s 3d during the year. The total insurance on the property is £21,51)5. The Rev. T. G. Brooke presented a report on behalf of the Grey Institute Trust.

A letter of thanks for services rendered, and sympathy with him in his illness, was ordered to be sent to Sir. J. Whitaker, the secretary and treasurer of the trust. The power to procure sites for churches in the baekblocks was left in the hands of the president and Mr. Bowater, the district secretary of trust property. The thanks of the Synod were ordered to be presented to Mr. Gangster for the gift of half an acre of land at Normanby. The balance-sheet of the Kai Iwi mission property was presented and adopted. The Synod adjourned till 9 o'clock this morning.