METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 210, 5 March 1914, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

FIRST LIST OF STATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The first list of stations was presented to the Alethodist Conference to-day, and the following are the appointments to the Taranaki district:— New Plymouth, .T. A. Luxford, C. H. Olds, a home missionary; supernumary, E. W. Council. Waitara, J. W. Griffith. Inglewood, J. Featherston. Stratford, A. Eeader, 0. Harris. Eltham, H. White. Hawera, E. 0. Blamires. Manaia, W. Rowe. Cape Egmont, one wanted Cape Egmont, R. B. Tinsley, and a home missionary.

East Egmont, one wanted, and a home missionary. Kaponga, P. Rands. North Taranaki, Uruti and Patea, home missionaries.

VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS. Dnnetlin, Last Night. At the Methodist conference this afternoon it was decided that the Wellington South circuit be relieved of a probationer, and that the staff consist of two married ministers. It was resolved that the second minister in Blenheim circuit be stationed at Taumarina, and that the circuit officials be asked to consider the matter of engaging a probationer for Picton. . The Rev. C. Griffin's request that his status be dated from 1870 was granted. The Rev. S. Griffith presented the report of the Deaconess' Committee. Sister Mabel was cordially thanked for her devoted work as superintendent of the Deaconess' Institution, and regret was expressed at her retirement. Sister Grace, from England, was appointed to the charge of the institution. Regret was also expressed at the resignation of Sisters Kenneth and Lillian through ill health.

A report was received from the committees on temperance and public morals. Resolutions were adopted in regard to Sabbath observance, the liquor problem, and industrial unrest. It was resolved to express regret that the Government did not afford an opportunity last session for amending the three-fifths provision of the Licensing Act, and to ask that steps be taken to have the proposed Bill passed into law as early as possible. The gambling question was considered, and a resolution adopted condemning the totalisator, and deprecating the recent attempt to increase the number of totalisator permits. The authorised representative (Rev. S. Lawry) presented his report, which was adopted. Twenty-one new properties were registered during 1913. The report of the committee on the balance sheet was adopted, and the financial statements of the various connexional funds approved. The secretary of the Connexional Fire Insurance Office presented a report, which was received. It sliowed that the capital in the fund amounted to £0398, after deducting £IOOO voted towards the supernumerary fund on account of the ex-Primitive Methodists' ministers' organ. The guarantors of the fund were released from nil liability in view of the satisfactory growth of * the capital.