WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4720, 22 February 1884, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

■ .■■ ■' ■■'■';..; .Yjßs.tpr^Af. At the Presbyterian Assembly this evening, the report of the Church E*ten>

sion Committee, showed the Presbyterian Church was steadily increasing in the colony. It was desirable to raise the stipends of all Ministers to £250, and, congregations should be urged to contribute liberally to this scheme. The cordial thanks of the Asseiably were dua to the Home church for itffenerosity to the church here. He also urged that organisations should be formed in connection with all the congregations for the purpose of collecting money in aid of church extensio§. Rev. Mr Ogg, treasurer of comnittee, read the balance-sheet. He urged the benefits to be derived from this scheme. In some respects the balancesheet was gratifying, but in other respect* it was disappointing. Some of the wealthier congregations not contributing as much as they should have done, they had a larger balance-sheet last year than this ; in fact the funds were a little short this year. The adoption of the report was moved by the Eev. Mr Calder, and seconded by the Bey. W. Douglas (West Coast), and agreed to. This day. At a meeting of the Congregational Union last night, the Bey. T. Tonkinson and Mr J. Milne were appointed Secretaries. The Treasurer presented the balance sheet, which was adopted. It was decided to hold the next annual meeting at Auckland. The following officers were ap pointed :—Chairman for 1885, Rev. W. H. West; Secretaries, Rev. E. Walker and Mr Milne; Treasurer, Mr Coote. The election of a committee was postponed until to«day. The Bey. West introduced the matter of the Education Act, and the present assaults made upon it by denorainationalists. The motion gave rise to an animated debate, which was eventually adjourned at 10 o'clock till to-day, when the deputation from the Presbyterian Assembly will wait upon them.