WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 6

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

OPENING SESSION

The twenty-seventh annual conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand was opened on the 2nd March, in the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. There was a very large attendance of clerg3% laymen, and visitors, about 140 clerical and lay delegates being present. The retiring President, Rev. J. Orchard, introduced the new President, Rev. S. Smalley, to his new office, and in a few well chosen words wished him every success.

The membership of the various districts was reported as follows: — Auckland, 2822, against 2721 last year; Wanganui, 1669, against 1059; 'Wellington," 1657, against 1587; Nelson, 881, against 849; Canterbury, 33SS, against 3377; Otflgo, 1735, against. 1727, and Maori members, 812, against 756, a total of 12,977 member?, against. 12,686 last year. Church Property.—The general report on church property for the past year was presented by Mr W. Parsonson, secretary, and read. Among other facts, it showed that £7558 had been expended on erections and purchases of land, but that activity in this line had been confined to three districts. No buildings were erected on lands purchased in the Canterbury district. Respecting the schedules of Trust revenue, the total income and expenditure were £1100 morn than last year, and the direct contributions of the Trust Boards to the Circuit Funds were only £93. The total debt showed a nett increase of £590, and to this would have to be added the reduction of assets by sales amounting to £ 1237. Against this there was the net product of additions to capital to the value of £4270, so that though the debt has slightly increased the advance profit on the year is not inconsiderable. —A vote of thanks was accorded Mr FarsnnsQt) for his valuable report and liis resignation was received with regret. —Two motions were moved by the Rev. G. Bond, of Wanganui, as follows, and carried unanimously: —"(1) That the attention of the Committee of Privileges be directed to the fact that, though Micro is no State- Church in New Zealand, one Protestant church only was officially recognised at recent colonial functions in connection with the departure of the contingents for Sow Hi Africa, and that the said Committee be directed to take the necessary steps to secure proper recognition oi the other churches in future. (2) That the Committee be further directed to secure cquol rights for all churches in connection with the chaplaincies of public institutions."'

i The, statement of accounts in ' connection -with the ehurfth buildiirji fund showed receipts (includ- ! i.-iir balance brought forward, X.i.i j 13/, and deposits brought forward, iii 1000) to be £3089 and expend "tun* ! £2265, leaving a credit bnhi-ucc af I £32fi 12/8. The re-port and accounts i were adopt I ORDINATION SERYTCE. I Last evening an ordination service i was held in the Pitt-street Church, i and was largely attended. The folj lowing five ministers were ordained: — Arthur Ashcroft, 11. L. Blainires, A. B. Chappell, .7. A. Hosking, and Tuhi Heretini. They were ordained by the ! laying on of hands by the elders of ! the ministry, including the president I and secretary, the Revs. 11. Bull, MorI ley, Gittos, Hammond, Baumber, WilI Hams, Hauraki Paul, and others. The FOREIGN MISSIONS. The annual report of the Society for Foreign Missions was read, and showed that the financial position of the society was very low. The New Guinea and New Briton missions had been very expensive, but had been very successful spiritually. The average deficit for the last few years had been over £1000, and the help of all churchmen was earnestly needed to meet new requirements.

CENTURY COM MEMORATION FUND.

The Rev. W. Baumber presented the report of the General Committee. Inter alia, it stated: Lists have been received too late from sixty-three circuits, containing promises to the amount of £11.478 13/ S. while five other circuits have forwarded without t lists the Hum of £26(5. These sums, however, cannot represent the whole amount promised. Thirty'two circuits and Home Mission stations have as yet failed to furnish any lists, although in some cases meetings are known to have been held. The amounts promised in the various districts, according to lists furnished, are as follows:—Auckland, £2709 8/7; Wanganui, £539 12/1; Wellington, £144(5 2/; Nelson, £399 15/9; Canterbury, £4582 14/0; Otago, £2121 0/6. Of these amounts the sum of £2589 17/ has already been paid to the Treasurer.

Mr Thomas Allen,-who left on March 5 in the s.s. We.stralia for Sydney, cv route for London, was appointed by the Wesleyan Conference New Zealand's representative to die forthcoming British Conference. He had a unanimous vote to a post of honour which does not often fall t,p the. lot of Wesleyan laymen.

I The following' is the list of Auckland stations Anally adopted:—Pitt's treet: W. J. Williams, W. Ready, J. G. Chapman, W. Beckett; supernumerjaries, J. Law and E. Best; Wesley College and Prince Albert College, J. 11. Simmonds; Home Mission and Church Extension Fund secretary. W. J. Williams. Freeman's Bay: C. C. Harrison. North Shore: C. E. Beecroft, A. B. Chappell; supernumerary ,J. S. Rishworth. Graf ton Eoad: H. R. Dewsbury.J.T.Pinfold; supernumerray, K. H. Lawry. Maori Mission: W. Gittos. Mahurangi: G. Fi-ost. Thames: D. G. Murray (secretary of Conference. Upper Thames: S. Griffiths, D. Weatherall and W. Greenslade. Mamikau: C. Griffin;1 supernumerary, W. J. Watkin. Franklin: G. T. Marshall; Home Mission (to be sent). Cambridge: S. J. Gibson. Hamilton and Te Awamutu: H. L. Blamires, and Home Mission. Paparoa: F. T. Reed. Northern Wairoa: B. F. Rothwell. Kaihu: Home Missionary. Whangarei: J. W. Griffin. Tauranga: J. W. Wor- ] boys. Coromandel: A. Mitchell and ,Home Missionary. Helensville: Home Missionary. Maori Mission, Waikato: Wi Warenapewa, Hamiora Kingi; Kaipara, Hauraki Paul; Hokianga, Piripi jßakena and Te Tuhi Heretini. Bay of Islands: Home Missionary. Whangaroa: Home Missionary. Hokianga: Home Missionary. Chairman of the District: Rev. Mr Dewsbury. The late Mr D. L. Moody.—The Rev. J. T. Pinfold moved, and Rev. E. Best seconded, and it was carried unanimously.

"That the Conference expresses its gratitude to God for the increased earnestness and vigour with' which the various churches of New Zealand, are pressing upon the Government

the claims of the Bible to a place in; the day school teaching of the col-j ony and sees in such united action the earnest of success. It further urges upon all the members and ad- j herents of the Wesleyan Methodist; church to do their utmost to secure such an amendment of the Education Act qs shall provide for the daily opening of the schools with the reading of the Word of God. under the supervision of the teachers, and with the Lord's Prayer, along with a conscience clause."