PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 119, 10 November 1911, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

TI!KASCRI'.Ii'S STATEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dmiedin, Last Xight. > ■ The business of the Presbyterian As- 1 sembly was commenced this morning, Rev. G. Lindsay, who was installed as moderator last night, presiding. The treasurer's statement .set forth that congregational contributions amounted to £•22,197 7s sd, an increase of £3SG 10s 8d over the previous year, and donations and legacies had been larger than usual. Attention was again drawn to the state of the Knox College fund, £240 being due to Professor Hewitson for salary up to June 3(1. Beneficiary funds show a suhitantial increase. Eight membcis had joined the aged and infirm ministers' fund, and eleven the widows and orphans fund. During the year onu member h»d been removed from botl* funds through ceasing to be a minister of the church, and the amounts owing i by him had been written off. Attention was again directed to regulation which provides for the' members who are two years in arrears with subscriptions. - This will at' oh«e?, ' affect about twenty members of both' funds, unless tliey reduce their indebtedness, or the Assembly (take steps for their relief. The report also stated that in view of the law regarding compeiisation it was worth while to consider whether all deacons' courts, committees of management and mission committees should not he advised tp insure ministers and missionaries against the risk of accident. The income of the Assembly Expenses Fund hjad fallen about £4OO below the expenditure for th» ' year. The cost of railway largely increased. Rev. Gowie, treasurer, emphasised the bad state of the Knos College Fund. Salary \\;as due from the beginning of February.' and there waa not a penny to meet it.. The statement, which was adopted, wis supplemented bv a summarised balance-sheet of tlm aflairs of the church, showing that the total sum concerned in the year's transactions was ,t 122,8-13 3s sd. The report of the church property trustees was also adopted. Mr. Campbell announced the, offer by a- gentleman in Hawke's Bay of seven acres of land as a site for a school for girls. The site was worth £(2000, and would be given free of all expense, but there was a condition that building operations be eommencedv within twelve months. It was decided to express gratitude, to Mr. Hugh Campbell, of Broadalbane,.Tim-clock.'-.North, foe his offer, and to appoint a committee to'vonsider an dreport oil it. The report on the Women'j/Training Institute stil ted 'there Wfcre sjx students in the institute, five of vvhort had competed a full year's shelly./ Threat had now finished their .second year, audi one WQiild become a deaqoness-for work at home, and anothetywv foveiun service at Canton. A third would become travelling- secretary for the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, subject , to the approval of the Assemble. The report was adopted.