AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 234, 13 January 1898, Page 4

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

At a meeting of the Auckland Prosbytery on Tuesday, the Rev. Mr Mitchell read a letter from the Secretary of the Free Church of Scotland, stating that the Rev. Walter Smith had been appointed to Ngaruawahia, and had sailed from London by the s.s. Luisitania on December 10th. It was decided to make arrangements for ordination at the next meeting. Cordial thanks were extended to the committee of the Free Church of Scotland and the Rev. Mr Mitchell. The Rev. Mr Robertson presented a report drawn up by himself and the Rev. Mr Nicol in reference to union with Southern churches. It reads as follows : " We have much pleasure in reporting that returns from sessions in harmony with the Barrier A<:t re-union as required by the last General Assembly have been, received from 19 sessions all in favour of the same. No return against union. Thirteen agree simpliciter to the finding of the Assembly, and tix add suggestions,' as follows : (a) Three suggest, in reference to the place of meeting, that the United Assembly meet alternately at Dunedin, Wellington, Christchuieh and Auckland ; one that the first United Assembly meet at Duuedin, and that the decisions as to future meetings be left to that Assembly; one that the clause in the basis of union referring to this subject read, " but ordinarily the Assembly shall meet at Dunedin aud Wellington." ('•) In reference to the number of representath'es, one suggests that in order to lessen Assembly expenses, the representatives Bhould te reduced from hto ' { (c) In reference to Provincial Synods, one suggests that there should be three synods of the United Church, to be called the Synod of the North Island, the Synod of Canterbury, aud the Synod of Otago, and that accordingly the word "Synods" should be inserted after the words session aud presbytery in article 3. One that at the end of article 3 there should be added, " and that Synods' be also created for Christchurch, Wei ington and Auckland." liiEocordance with the above the Rev. Mr Robertson moved, " That the Presbytery adopt the report of the committee on the returns from sessions re union with the Church of Otago and Southlaud ; express much satisfaction with the unanimous feeling in favour of union, and in order that all i; formation may be in the hands of ihe Onion Committee the Presbytery forward to them the various suggestions received from sessions." Agreed to. The Rev. Mr Scott seconded. The Rev. Scott West said he was one of a very considerate minority who coulel not sec what benefit th-.y were going to gain if the Church was simply to meet in Dun din or Wellington. Auckland was the largest or the second largest presbytery in the color, y. lie moved, " That we as a Presbytery suggest thatthoassembly of the united church meet alternately at Duuedin, Cluistchuich, Wellington and Auckland." The Rev. Mr Mitchell seconded. After some discussion, the tcroit of the committee was adopted, recommendation!; being held in abeyance. The Rev. Mr Robertson moved, "That the fiudings of the sessions and r.f hist General Assembly be adhered to " The Rev. Mr MieNicol seconded. The Rev. Mr Ferguson moved, and the Rev. Mr Mitehel seconded, " Thar, the meeting Lc he-Id every second year iu Dunedin, the alternate year's meetings being in Wellington, Christehureh and Auckland." On being put to the vote the Rev. Mr Scott-West's motion was carried by 11 votes to 8. A call was received from the Mangare Church to the Rev. John Maedonald, of Te Awamutu. It was decided to fustaiu the call, which the Rev. J. Mcodonald accepted.