METHODISTS' CONFERENCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 26, 7 March 1914, Page 9

METHODISTS' CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 6. At the Methodist Conference to-day, Management Boards for four Central Missions were appointed, and the conference endorsed a scheme-for carrying on the Wellington , work, with headquarters at Webb Street.. The conference resolved that, the following should be the order of probationers' circuits: —Waiuku, Waimate, Gisborne, Feilding, Taumarunui, Havelock, Auckland, Westport, Port Albert, Balclutha, Kaitangata. The report of the Principal, the Eev. €. H. Garland, showed that the Theological College opened in March with 13 students. The present number of students was 11. The report was adopted. The conference instructed the Principal, that no student is to conduct more than 13 services in any quarter. It was further decided that every student should be required to sign an agreement to repay the cost of training in the event of his retiring from the ministry within 10 years. The Eev. C. H. Garland was re-appointed Principal.

. The work of the committee in connection with the new Theological Institution, it was stated, had been at a standstill for 12 months. At the meeting a year ago it was decided that no active steps should be taken until a site for the university was decided on by the Government, the committee realising that the Theological Institution building should be as near the university as possible. The site is still unsettled. It was mentioned that £BOOO was in hand.

A deputation from the Diinedin Presbytery conveyed fraternal greetings to the conference. This afternoon a proposal relating to lay representation on the Stationing Committee, and also to the size of the conference, was referred to quarterly meetings and Synods, and to the conference of 1915. f

.An animated debate took place on the proposal to extend the term of pastorates beyond five years. It was eventually resolved to provide for such extension under certain safeguards, the extension to be endorsed in every case by a majority vote of 75 per cent, before becoming law. This resolution will need endorsement by the various District Synods and approval by the conference of 1915. Provision was made for holding special quarterly meetings in the circuits.

It was resolved to elect secretaries of Synods at the conference instead of at the Synod. Resolutions affecting the constitution of District Synods, with a view to increasing the number of lay representatives," were adopted. Home missionaries of seven years' continuous standing were granterl seats in the Synod. The establishment of a conference travelling expenses fund was referred to the quarterly meetings, with a view to recommendations being made to next conference on the subject.