GLEANINGS FROM THE WESLEYAN CHURCH DISTRICT FCR CANTERBURY AND OTAGO.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 152, 5 January 1871, Page 7

GLEANINGS FROM THE WESLEYAN CHURCH DISTRICT FCR CANTERBURY AND OTAGO.

The annual gathering of Wesleyan Ministers of the above districts commenced properly on Thursday morning, December Ist, at Durham-street Church, Christchurch, at ten o'clock. The ministers present were — Revs. A. Reid, Dunedin (chairman) ; Aldred, Kirk and Fitchett, Christchurch ; Cannell, Greymouth ; Shaw, Hokitika ; Bunn and Beck, Kaiapoi ; Lee, Oamaru ; Bavin, Timaru ; Oliver, Springston; Bull, Port Chalmers; M'Nicoll, Waikouaiti; and Keall, Lawrence. Mr. Rishworth, from Invercargill, arrived on Friday evening. There were also two candidates for the ministry, viz., Messrs. Gilbert, of Balelutha, and Marten, of Teviot, both of whom, after the usual examinations, were cordially recommended to the coming conference, to be received on trial as ministers. No deaths of ministers were reported, and no pbjections lodged against any. The division of circuits occupied considerable attention. The sepai*ation of Ross from Hokitika was declined, but the Teviot from Lawrence was allowed. Christchurch was divided into three separate circuits. Several additional ministers were asked for and granted, and the stationing recommended to the conference, which will bo held in Hobart Town next month, is fis follows for the various circuits :—: — 1. Christchurch— A. R. Fitchett. 2. St. Albans-W. Kirk. 3. Port Lyttelton— W. Morley. 4. Springston — W. Keall. 5. Kaiapoi — R. Bunn and 11. J. C. Gilbert. 6. Dunedin — A. Reid. 7. Port Chalmers— H. Bull. 8. Waikouaiti— D. M'Nicoll. 9. Lawrence — W G. Thomas. 10. Roxburgh— W. Beck. 11. Timaru— lt. Bavin and W. B. Marten. 12. Oamaru — W. Lee. 13. lnvercargill — J. T. Rishworth. 14. Hokitika J. T. Shaw and H. Dewsbury. 15. Greymouth — W. Cannell. ~ Balciutha is to be regarded as a Home Mission Station under the care of the chairman of the district, with the Rev. Mr. Isitt (who has just arrived in the colony) as resident minister. The above changes operate next April. An enquiry into the state of the various connexional funds, the reports on the whole showed an improvement. There was imformation supplied in reference to church properties completed for tb.e year as follows : — Christchurch circuit, four new churches, with sitting accommodation for 720 persons ; Springston, one new church, with 450 sittings ; Lawrence, two new churches, with accommodation for 180 ; Timaru, one new church, with 120 sittings. Thus nine new churches have been completed, affording seat accommodation for 1600. The total cost has been £6610, towards which £4310 has been subscribed. There has also been built a neat parsonage at Timaru, costing (including land) £500. The circuit church, at Springston is now being enlarged. At Kaiapoi, one is in course of erection, to seat 400 persons, and to cost about £650. At Balciutha a new brick church is nearly completed, and a church at Geraldine has just been enlarged, the Rev. W. Keall preaching the re-opening sermons on his way home to Lawrence. There was a large gathering to hear the ; chairman^s official sermon ; after which, ', a large number, perhaps between 500 and 600, partook of the Lord's supper. The gross amount received on account of the connexional funds from the various circuits for the year is £922 7s lOd. This is exclusive of all j moneys paid for church buildings, stipends, circuit expenses, &c. Considering the general commercial depression, this is very gratifying. It was heartily recommended that there be a New Zealand Conference, a District Book Depdt, and a connextional newspaper, to carry out which, a committee was appointed. Te Kote, the Native Minister, was in attendance, and reported under his care 214 adult Avorshippers, 30 of whom are church, members. Interest in the religious services was well kept up, but a" lack of spirituality was appai'ent. His labours extend over Raupaka, Port Levy, Akaroa, Wairewa, and Tiwutu. The Maori Mission is evidently in a languishing state. The following list of statistics was laid on the table :—: — 107 churches, or other preaching places, 17 ministers, 18 other paid agents, 51 Sunday schools, 4JJS' teachers, 3060 scholars, 10^ ■'local preachers. 96 class lexers, 1461 church members, 169 on trial, total attendants on public worship 9900. The session lasted a week, closing on Wednesday, December 7th, at 5 p.m,