ASHBURTON CIRCUIT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9651, 7 July 1919, Page 3

ASHBURTON CIRCUIT.

The quarterly meeting of the officials of the Ashburton Circuit was held in the Baring Square schoolroom on Thursday evening. The Rev. T. W. Vealie presided and there were present Mr J. Belshaw, H.M., and 28 officials. This being Air Vealie's first quarterly meeting in the circuit, the meeting, on the motion of Mr F. Frampton, extended him a hearty welcome and wished him much success in his work. Mr Vealie thanked the meeting for their welcome and pointed out that there were bright prospects for the Church in Ashburton. Letters of condolence were ordered to be sent to the friends of the late Mrs Carson, Mrs Dalton, and Mr J. R. Steel, who had suffered bereavement during tfhe quarter. The circuit stewards reported the income for the quarter to. be £182 10s 9d and the expenditure £163 2s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £19 8s sd. Special collections for foreign missions were ordered to be taken up throughout the circuit during the incoming quarter. Collections were allowed to Fairton, Trust and the Baring Square Sunday School. The meeting also agreed, in view of an. effort to clear off the whole of the debt oh the Parsonage and Trust during the coming quarter, to grant permission to hold a gift Sunday for that purpose. The number of members was reported to be 281. The Sunday schools were in a satisfactory condition, and in this connection it was reported that the two schools intended to amalgamate forthwith, the Wills Street Sunday School having decided to join with the Baring Square School. As the Wills Street Sunday school will then cease to exist, the meeting placed on record its very high appreciation of the valuable services rendered to th Church and school by the teachers, extending over many years, and in anticipation of the union it was carried, "That this meeting offers its heartiest congratulations to the amalgamating Sunday schools and earnestly wishes them every success and prosperity in the important work of teaching the'young the great truths of the Gospel." . . . . In connection with furthering the interests of the young people, it was decided to recommend to the Sunday School the advisability of establishing a young people's worshipping league The mater of exchange of pulpits with the minister of the Willowby circuit was left in the hands of the chairman to arrange. Owing to the very small attendance at the Greenstreet services, the recommendation of the local preachers' meeting that the .services be discontinued was carried; also a further recommendation that the quarterly meeting send a strong recommendation to the Home Mission Executive in Auckland to appoint an agent atMethven immediately was agreed >. . Acommittee was appointed to considei the matter of the issuing, of a Circuit Quarterly," and to report ■ g© next meeting. Permission .was granted to the Wills Street Trust sell a vacant section in Hampstead. . . , The meeting was glad and rejoiced to record its great satisfaction at the news that had reached our shores that Peace had been signed The meeting, then closed, and refreshments, provided by the ladies, were dispensed, and hearty thanks of. the members was carried by acclamation;