WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1546, 28 November 1883, Page 2

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

From New Zealand Times

The financial district meeting being fixed for Tuesday, the lay representavies took their seats, and were heartily welcomed by the Chairman, who, in a brief address, reviewed the work of the past year, and he referred to the loss sustained by the church during the past twelve months in the death of the Revs, Buddie, Hobbs, and Warren, men who have done pioneer and noble work. Among the : .subjects of special interest to be brought before the meeting for consideration,- were those of Methodist union, a seperate conference for New Zealand, the instruction, of the young in Bible truth, and the question of higher education. Ho hoped the meeting would be a very pleasant one, and that their joint deliberation, would result in the good of the church and glory of God, Mr S. Stone presented ilie-annual report on the state of church property in the Wellington district, The total value of property was returned at. £32, 685, the debts on these properties amounting to £11,917. The report was accepted, and the best thanks of the meeting were accorded to Mr Store for his very clear and full statement. It was reported that improvements in church properties had been effected to the value of £765. The following new erections were sanctionedPetone, a church) cost, £250; debt, £SO. Hastings, a church; cost, £350. Conference regulations to be fulfilled. The income for the Home. Mission Fund was reported os £168; The following grants were recommendedNorsewood, £10; Greytown, £25; Master* ton, £25; Napier, £SO; to Maori missions, £4O; to Scandinavian missions, £BO. The income for 1884 was estimated at £lB5. The income for the foreigh mission fund was reported at £44; that of the supernumerary ,und, £94 10s; children's fund, £52 17s; contingent fund. £6O. A brief report of his work was given by the Rev, Heteraka Watihi and also by lUv, E, Ohrjstoffersen, the latter especially being of a very encouraging nature. A report was also received from Mr R. Young of his work at Greyqown, and it was recommended that a probationer bo sent to the Greytown circuit next year. The general returns of the Wellington district were as, follows : Churches, 16; other preaching places, 34; ministers, 9: local preachers, 35; Sunday schools, 23; scholars, 1945 ; attendants on public worship. 5304. An interesting and able paper on these statistics was read by the Rev. J. Garlick, and the thanks, of the meeting accorded him. Theßer. W. Baumber presented an interesting report on Sunday school work ofthoyear, but unfortunately time would not allow discussion. The Rev. J. J. Lewis was unanimously elected district representative to the ensuing Conference. With refereneo to the question of Methodist Union, the Wellington, Napier, and Masterton quarterly meetings forwarded resolutions in its favor; and on the motion of the Rev. J. J. Lewis it was unanimously resolved "That this meeting heartily supports the recommendations of the Union Committee, and expresses the hope that the union will shortly be effected on the basis laid down." Resolved—"That the report of the committee on the transfer of church property be agreed to, but that no alteration be made in our system of trusts." Resolved—" That New Zealand bo constituted a separate and independent Conference; that conference be recommended to consider the advisableness of requesting that General Conference send to New. Zealand the Rev, Edward Youngman, of the Chinese Mission in Victoria, to consider the spiritual needs of the Chinese in this colony." Mr Knight said that before tne conclusion of the financial district meeting he wished to propose a hearty vote of thanks to their chair man, the Rev, R. Bavin, So far as his experience went the district had never been more ably and faithfully supervised, and Mr Bavin had won the affection and respect of all by the kindly sympathy and wise advice he was always ready to offer. Mr Maxlan, in seconding the motion, spoke in equally hia;h terms of Mr Bavin, who had, to his knowledge, visited every corner of his diocese. The vote was carried with acclamation, and the meeting closed with the Doxology.