PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1691, 28 January 1888, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. TEMUKA.

The annual meeting of members of the Presbyterian Church, Temuka, was held last Thursday evening in the church, at which there was a fair attendance, considering that the evening was wet. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Mr Dickson, and, after singing a hymn and offering prayer*, he called on the Secretary to read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed. Mr Kussoll, Session Clerk, then read the session report, which was to the effect that the congregation had settled down now in a satisfied manner since tho appointment of the new minister. There were grounds for hope that, with peace and goodwill, the Church would prosper and go on prospering, Mr Cooper, Secretary to the Church Committee, read the annual report and balance-sheet. He said that although the income had fallen off economy had enabled them to show a balance on the right side. The balance-sheet showed a balance to credit of £ll 4s.

Mr Blyth moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr Phillips seconded the motion, and it was agreed to unanimously. Mr Blyth moved that the report and balance-sheet be printed. Mr Phillips seconded it, and it was carried unanimously.

The following Committee were then elected : Messrs Blyth, Brown, Austin, Anderson, Guild, Gray, McCaskill, Cooper, Darroch, Lyon, McCullough, and Shaw. Th© Eev. Chairman intimated that the Committee would select its own Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Eussell moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Cooper, Mr Cain, Mr Guild, and Miss Blyth, and all the collectors.

The motion was seconded by Mr McCaskill, and carried unanimously. In returning thanks, Mr Cooper said Miss Paterson deserved to have been included, as she had worked hard for the Church.

Mr Cooper moved a vote of thanks to the Sabbath School teachers, whose services could not be overestimated.

Mr Taylor seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. - Mr Smith, Superintendent, suitably replied. The Eev. Chairman then urged them all to work for the Church, and if they, did it would prosper. On the motion of Mr Cain, seconded by Mr Taylor, a vote of thanks was passed to the choir for its services during the year. Mr Anderson said there was one thing which he desired to speak on. A committee was to have been appointed at Waitohi, but it never had been done. He thought it necessary that something should be done. The Eev. Chairman questioned the advisability of letting the Waitohi people believe they were a separate charge. The more unity they had the better.

Mr Morton said the object was to give to Waitohi local option, but he thought it was better to let them look upon themselves as part of the Church.

Mr Anderson said it was altogether misunderstood. The plan worked well in Geraldine,and helped to collect money. He felt sure that more interest would be taken in church matters in Upper Waitohi, especially, if a Committee was there. Mr S. Cain said the rule in Geraldiue was that each district must pay

so much or they will not get the services of the minister.

Mr Cooper said Waitohi was going from bad to worse. The collections were falling off altogether, and they took very little interest in the Church. The Kev. Chairman suggested that they should call a meeting there and have a talk with them; but he believed the elected Committee must manage the matter for the present. Mr Russell said that Waitohi might be given Home Eule on a small scale, but they would hare to hand the money in to the Treasurer of Temuka. The matter then dropped, ani the meeting came to a close by the Bev. Mr Dickson pronouncing the benediction.