WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1463, 4 February 1886, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The Wesleyan Conference on Monday considered the various connexional funds. The Children’s and Education Fund showed an income of £1643 17s 9d. Ihe expenditure nearly equalled this, leaving only a credit balance of £1 16s 6d. The Bev A. Beid presented the balance-sheet of the Supernumerary Fund, giving the total income os £1074 lls 6d, which w«s remitted to the General Treasurers. The Revs. Mr Reid and T. Buddie were reappointed Treasurers. Mr W.' Harris presented the Contingent Fund account, giving an income of £1034 16s ltd, with an expenditure of £955 11* sd, The President and Mr Thomas Buddie were appointed to correspond with the trustees of the late Thomas Elmesley, of Yorkshire, under whoso will a sum of £3OOO hss been bequeathed to the New Zealand Church. The report of the B.ev, A. Reid, principal of the King’s College, was eminently satisfactory. The thanks of the Conference were given to Mr Beid, and he was reappointed. The oLss’oal and theological teachers were reappointed for ISSo, and the Rev. W. J. Williams was reappointed editor of the N.Z, Methodist. At the evening session a motion was tabled affirming the derirability of securing an independent Conference for New Zealand, which, after considerable discussion, was carried almost unanimously. It is felt that the laymen should have equal rights with the clergy in discussing and voting upon all questions except that of receiving, examining and judging of ministerial character, and that Ibis is not likely to be secured until independence is granted. In discussing the position of the Kew Zealand Methodist it was felt desirable that the editor should be liberated from pastoral obligations and that he should reside in Christchurch. The matter was remitted to the consideration of a committee and the various district meetings, to report to next Conference, The report of the foreign mission was read, discussed and adopted. The sum of £372 5s 4d has been raised in the colony during the year for this object. The sum of £2O was voted to the Temuka Circuit on account of apecial claims. The Conference concluded on Tuesday. The report of the committee on higher education was presented by the Rev. R, Bavin. The report was received, and the Committee thanked for their valuable services. The following resolutions were passed ; “That it is extremely drsirahle in the interests of higher education on Christian principles that a college should be established in or near Auckland, and that the present time is opportune for commencing such a college.”; “That the Conference give# a general assent to the proposal* of the Committee to sell the Wesley College property, Auckland, with a view to the purchase of a property at or near Auckland more suitably situated for the purposes of such a college." “That a Committee be appointed for the year consisting of ministers and influential laymen residing at or near Auckland, of which the Rev. Mr Bavin be appointed Secretary“ That the Committee be empowered to solicit subscriptions, and to tako such action as may seem necessary to start the college as soon as practicable, and report to next conference."—The Home Mission grants were reduced by £IOO, The report of the deputation to Tonga was read, and deep sympathy was expressed with the members in the painful circumstances in which they were placed in carrying out the duties imposed on them by the General Conference, and a series of resolutions were adopted on this subject. Some miscellaneous business was then transacted, and resolution* regarding the present depression and Sabbath observance were adopted, The Conference closed with devotional services. The next Conference will take place at Auckland.