PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 400, 18 February 1899, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

(by telegraph—press association). Wellington, Last Isight. At tho Presbyterian Assembly, Mr Aitken, of Wellington, as the convener of the Wellington Elders' Association, introduced the question of the possibility of creating a fuud for the church and manse building, and the extinction of existing debt. He said the Wellington Elders' Association had gone fully into the question and recommended the Assembly to sanction such a scheme and to set up a committee of its own members to carry it out, the fund to be called " New Century Fund," and that the amount to be raised be £20,000 ; that the objects to be served be the erection of churches and manses in New Zealand in needy districts and to assist existing congregations labouring under debt. On the motion of the Bev. Win. Gillis, it was decided that the funds should be reduced to £IO,OOO for the present, and named the Wellington Elders' Association as the Executive Committee for the fuud, and that Presbyteries be advised to help in the way of releasing any Minister who might be chosen to canvass for the fuud. Thereport of thecommitteeonuiuon has been brought down, regretting that no substantial progress, had been male towards union with the church in Southland and Otago, but recommending a further conference, such being eminently in harmony with loyalty to the great interests of unity aud uuiou by whioh Presbyterianism had all along been distinguished. The recommendation was carried.