METHODIST CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1919, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH.

PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OP RURAL MISSION

.. Th f- T ad J o »>rned meeting of officials of the New Plymouth Methodist Circuit was held on Tuesday to receive and consider the report of the Committee set up to go into the matter of more effectively organising the work in the country districts, so that the needs of tbe settlers should be met. After due consideration the recommendations of, the committee, with some minor modi-' fications and amplifications, were adopted, and will be forwarded to conference for their approval I The scheme involves the establishment of a North Taranaki rural mission, by taking from the New Plymouth circuit all those places immediately surrounding the town, and a;iy other centres which may subsequently be added. It is proposed that the Mission should be placed under the iiarge of a fully ordained minister, and thit the management committee consist of the officials of the Mission and certain representatives from the New Plymouth circuit. The lay preachers who at present conduct many of the services at the churches in the area are pledged to assist in maintaining those services. New Plymouth, or a locality immediately adjacent, is suggested as the residence of the Missioner, as being most accessible to all the places, it being proposed to include the following in the Mission area, to begin with: Bell Block, Hillsborough, Upland Road, Lower and Upper Mangorei, Korito, Oarrington Road, and Oniata.

The financial aspect of the undertaking was considered, and confidence 'expressed that, provided that the matter was taken up in a bold and progressive manner, there would he no cause for anxiety on that account. A substantial annual donation for a period of several years has already been oll'ered by one gentleman, and subsidies have been promised by others Strong hopes were expressed by the officials at Tuesday's meeting that th conference would sanction the proposals.