METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7733, 1 March 1909, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

AN OFFICIAL RECEPTION.

' WELLINGTON, February 28. The members of the Methodist Conference were- formally welcomed by the Mayor, the Hon T. W. Hislop, in the Council Chambers at noon yesterday. His Worship referred to the Wesleyan Church as one of the most progressive in modern times. He recalled the history of the foundation and the founder of the church. Among the most honoured of the great missionary bodies working among the Natives of New Zealand, none held a higher place in public respect than those of the Weslevan Church. (Applause.) The peopfe of Wellington were always glad when a conference of this kind was sitting in til ecity, as it gave them an idea of the importance of the work done by the church in ministering to the higher life of the community. (Loud applause.) . The president of the conference (the Rev Thomas Fee) responded. The forces, he said, that made for righteousness made also for adequate citizenship. They were trying to make God's own country a better country, with a higher class of people even than at present. (Applause.) Mr J. A. Flesher (Christchurch), Teplied on behalf of the lay members to the progress of Wellington as an example to the other cities of the dominion. It had better opportunities. He envied the well-paved streets and splendid harbour facilities. The speaker then paid a high compliment to the Mayor for his past work and his present work as Mayor.

WELLINGTON, March 1. In connection with the Methodist Conference?-. special services were held yesterday in a' 2 the Methodist churches in. the city and suburbs, and an openair meeting was held in the Basin Reserve in the afternoon. AH were largely fc attended and enthusiastic. The Conference met in representative session this morning. Sympathy was expressed with the Rev. T. W. Boys in his breakdown in health j\; and a hope that it would be only temporary. It was decided to divide the Manakau circuit, the new circuits to be called Manakau and Otahuhu; also the Mahiirangi circuit, to be called the • Mahurangi circuit and Port Albert home mission station ; also the Upper Thames circuit, to be called Upper Thames, Waihi and Paeroa circuits. . . A committee was set up to consider the adjustment of the boundariesof districts, to meet in Wellington during the year, and report to the next Synod. In the South Wairarapa circuit, the second missionary is to be retained at Featherstone, and a home missionary at Grey town. In the Blenheim circuit the second minister is to be retained at Tuamarana, and the home missionary at Picton. Kumara is to be attached to the Greymouth circuit.