AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 289, 5 December 1900, Page 2

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The monthly meeting of ihc Auckland Presbytery was held last evening in St. Andrew's Church. The attendance was smaller than usual. • . New Moderator.-^The Rev. R. Wylie was elected Moderator for the ensuing six jnonths. "Welcome to Visitors.—The Re^. G. B. Monro introduced the Rev. Mr Dunne, of Sydney,'and formerly of S. David's Church; 'Auckland. Mr Dunne was welcomed by the new Moderator, and wag associated with the Presbytery on the motion of Mr Monro. The latter then referred to the visit of Mr anc Mrs Oatts, of Glasgow, and on his motion a resolution was carried expressing the Presbytery's pleasure at the great success granted to Mr and Mrs Oatts in connection with their V.M.C.A. work. The Rev. T. F. llobenson was deputed to present the resolution to Mr Oatts at the latter's meeting at the V.M.C.A. Hall that

evening. Ihe Chaplain and the Gaoler.—l lie correspondence with reference, to the recognition of the Presbyterian chaplain at the Gaol was la!'! on the table. The Rev. Gray Dixon moved, "That the Presbytery express their gratification at the result of the enquiry as to the official recognition of Mr Duncan MePherson as the chaplain of the Church at the Gaol, and their continued confidence in Mr MePherson as their duly accredited chaplain to that institution." The Rev. Mr Ferguson said he did not think 'the resolution was worded strongly enough. They should show that they felt confidence in Mr M('--Pherson's word. After some discussion the word "unabated" was sn instituted for "continued" before, "confidence," and the resolution was then carried ncra. con

An Applicant for the Ministry.—ilie committee's report of the examination us to the credentials of. Mr Baird, applicant for admission to the Ministry, was adopted, and ordered to be 'orwarded to the General Assembly. Mr McDonald's, Resignation.—The Rev. J. McDonald, oil Mangere, wrote placing his resignation in the hands of the Presbytery, to take effect on December 31st of this year. He stated that he had decided for private reasons to return to Scotland early next year. Eulogistic reference was made by Mr Lambert, an elder of the Mangere Church, to the good qualities exhibited by Mr and Mrs McDonald during their residence at Mangere. In responding, Mr McDonald said he would carry with him wherever he went pleasant recollections of his New Zealand home. The Rev. Mr Monro, in moving that the resignation be accepted, bore testimony to the good work done by Mr McDonald, both in the Waikato and in Mangere. The resolution was carried, with an addition expressing the Presbytery's appreciation of the good work done by Mr McDonald and his wife. The. Rev. Mr Sicele was appointed to temporarily fill the vacancy, and also to declare the church vacant. On the motion of the Rev. It. Ferguson, a resolution expressing the sympathy of the Presbytery at Mrs McDonald's illness was also carried.

Leave of Absence. —Three months' leave of absence was granted to the Rev. Win. Thompson, of Waipu, in order to allow him to take charge o£ the congregation at Suva, Fiji, for that period. Mr Thompson explained that he was going to Fiji on account of ill-health, and had agreed, subject to the approval of the Presbytery, to take charge of St. Andrew's Church, the only Presbyterian Church in the Group, for a term of three months. The Rev. Gray Dixon said he hoped this 'would lead to Fiji being linked ecclesiastically to New Zealand. A resolution expressing best wishes for Mr Thompson's success at Suva was carried unanimously. The Rev. R. Sommerville was appointed Moderator of the Waipu and Whangarei charge during Mr Thompson's absence. Moderator of the General Assembly. —It was decided to nominate the Rev. J. McKenzie, of Nelson, as Moderator of the General Assembly. With regard to the appointment of a junior clerk for the Assembly, the 'Presbytery had no recommendation to make.

A New Charge—Three-quarters of an hour were spent in discussing the proposed appointment of Mr Wansboone to take charge of the services at Helensville and adjacent districts. Eventually the appointment was agreed to. Sunday-school Examinations. —The Rev. 11. Ferguson announced that the results of the Sunday-school examinations had been very satisfactory; 1535 papers were sent in, representing 845 children. With regard to children under Ihe Auckland Presbytery, there had been a large advance on the previous year; 349 papers were sent in, being all increase of 83 on last year's, and 220 children under the Auckland Presbytery had come forward, being ait increase of 40. Out of 349 papers 205 received a iirst-class, 75 a second-class, arid 49 a third-class, only 20 proving failures. Until this year the Auckland Presbytery took a very low position, but now it stood at the head of the Presbyteries .of the church in regard to the Sunday-school examinations. Forty-one secured 100 per cent, marks, and of these six .rained 100 per cent, for both Bible and catechism, while one scholar, Miss Ruby Wade, besides gaining 100 per cent', in Bible and catechism, received. 80 per cent, in the essay competition. Onehunga and Otarn. Sunday-schools had especially distinguished,, themselves Every child who passed would receive a prize, and extra prizes in the shape of Bibles would be'presented to those who gained 100 per cent, of

marks. _ , . Representatives to General Assembly —The following members were appointed to represent the Presbytery at the General Assembly: Revs. K. I<. Macnicol, G. B. Monro, R. Sommeryille, H Kelly, Irwin (Cambridge), GrayDi'xon, T. A. Norrie and R. Ferguson.