CHRISTCHUECH.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2515, 27 January 1877, Page 2

CHRISTCHUECH.

Friday,

At the Wesleyan Conference to-day, permission was given to alter several circuits in Canterbury, and the following in other parts of the colony. Permission was given to divide and alter the Manukau; Waiuku, Pukekohe, and neighbourhood, to form a new circuit; Wangato be attached to the Holuanga circuit. Rangatekei circuit received permission to divide, the Manuahi river to be the boundary of the circuit, and the new circuit to be called Manuahi circuit. It I was agreed* to discontinue the Maori work in Wellington. The Milton circuit, at present without a minister, to be annexed to the Balclutha circuit. It was agreed to send an additional minister ( should one be available, to Kurnara. It was determined, if possible, to send agents to Wangarei (in the Auckland district). The number members returned from the various districts were:—. Auckland, 635 ; Taranaki and Wanganui, 371; Wellington, 350; Nelson, 542; Canterbury, 1004; Otago, 299; Scandinavian members, 33; Maori members, 379 ; total, 3413. These returns showed an increase in every district except Otago, where a decrease of 70 is re-; ported, reducing the general increase to three; The land sales yesterday amounted to £10,200. One thousand young salmon, purchased by the Greymouth Acclimatisation Society, will be dispatched on Monday next. ' It is understood that the Selwyn County Council will decide against bringing the permissive clauses of the; Counties Act into force. It is rumoured that the Geraldine County Council, who arrived at a similar decision a short time ago, intend to try | and rescind the resolutions. The weather is beautifully fine for harvesting, and the yield of all crops is expected to be good. In wheat the area is very large, and also in oats. Barley is only in a moderate area. The latter two cereals will be discolored in consequence of late rains. Deliveries of new grain will be general about the middle of February if the fine weather continues. A considerable quantity of old oats is in course of shipment to Melbourne. The grain produce market continues quiet,, as farmers are taking advantage of the fine weather to secure the crops. Some parcels of new wheat have been sold at, 4s; oats, 2s Id—for old, Is 10d to 2s ; for new barley, 3s; flour, £14; grass seed, £8 ; trade quiet. This day. At the Wesleyan Conference yesterday evening a correction was made to the effect that the increase of Christchurch members during the year was one hundred and eleven, not three as previously stated. It was reported that the erection of new buildings, additions and improvements had been made during the year at a total cost of £8,063. Permiision was given to the various circuits to expend during the present year £9191 in new erections and improvements, with a proposed debt of £3265, of which £60D is provided for by rent of leased land.: It was further reported that one parsonage and eleven churches had been erected during the year, and one parsonage had been . purchased. The total number of churches owned by the Conference is now 155, with 36 parsonages. Seven church sites have been acquired ■during the year, of which five have been purchased, two given. The total cost of all properties amounts to £92,318, on which debts remain to the amount of ; £15,290. Permission was given to sell certain church properties in the North Island.