WESLEYAN SYNOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 290, 6 December 1900, Page 2

WESLEYAN SYNOD.

The annual session kjf the Auckland Wesleyan Synod was resumed in the J'itt-slreet Wesleyan Church Hall yesterday afternoon. Home Mission Funds.—Consideration of the Home Mission Funds and of the balance-sheet, prod need by Mr P. L. Prime, treasurer of. the fund, was resumed. Mr Prime stated that while the total income was £862 16/8, the expenditure was £1004 2/6. Grants were recommended as follows: Bay oi Islands, £20 (provisionally); Hokianga, £40: Te Awamutu, £30; Huntly, £20; Kuaotunu, £25; Helensville, £30: Mahurangi, £40; Upper Thames (Waitekauri), £25; Whangarei, £40; Coromandel, £40; Franklin, £25. Tie estimated income for the next year was £883, and the estimated expenditure £100.".. Mr Prime and Mr Williams vvere awarded a hearty vote of thanks for their services as treasurer and secretary respectively.

Freeman's Bay Mission.—The representatives of the Freeman's Bay Mission asked that the mission should receive a grant of £50. Mr C. Harrison moved that this should be the sum recommended. Mr W. E. Pacey strongly supported him. The Rev. W. Ready moved as an amendment, "That all the quarterly meetings in the Synod should urge the congregations in their circuits to take up annual retiring collections on behalf of the mission." In the meantime they should recommend that the Helping Hand Mission in Freeman's Ea.y should receive a grant of £30. He felt sorry to see the mission in debt, as it deserved to do well. Mr Harrison withdrew his motion in favour Of the amendment, which was carried unanimously.

The Main Trunk Railway Workers.-— Mr Allen urged the Synod to appoint, an agent to vvork'among the men working on Hie northern end of the Main Trunk railway. He did not think there would be any difficulty in providing'the funds, it was decided to remit the matter to the Home Mission Executive to consider the advisability of obtaining a missionary for the purpose. Notices of Motion.—A notice of,motion was given by the Rev. W. -T. Williams: (1) "That the Synod respectfully protests' against any attempt. being- made to legalise the liquor traffic in the. King Country"; and (2) "That, it protests against an attempt to deprive the people of this colony of the power they possess for dealing with the liquor traffic"; and (3) "That it expresses its protest in a petition to Parliament." The Rev. Mitchell gave notice of motion, "That a. vote of thanks be given to the soldiers of New Zealand who had served in South Africa."

Circuit Expenditure.—The Rev. Geo. Frost moved, (1) "That from the yeai 1901 the levies from the children's fund and the contingent fund should be made upon circuit expenditure"; (2) "Thai■• the term 'circuit expenditure' should be understood to include all payments made by circuit, stewards for ministers' stipends and ordinary connexional charges only." Mr W. S. Allen seconded. After discussion the motion was defeated by 15, votes to 1-1.

The Advocate. —The Chairman stated that the circulation of the Advocate in the Auckland province was 295. A number of the members of the Synod gave their views as to the manner in which the paper might be improved. Proposed Reorganisation of the Loan Fund.—Mr A. C. Caughey moved, according to notice, certain important amendments of the laws and regulations of the church building and loan fund, the chief alteration, as proposed, being that the fund be administered by a committee in each of the six districts of the colony, instead of as at present by one central committee, and. that the capital of the fund be divided equitably among the several committees. Speaking to the motion, Mr Caughey contended that district committees could more efficiently fulfil their functions than a central committee, and spoke of vexatious delays a.nd large cost of exchange, postage, etc., by the present arrangement. He considered that many important advantages would be secured by the amendment he proposed. Mr W. S. Allen seconded the motion. The Rev. W. J. Williams pointed out difficulties in the way of dividing the capital of the fund. The Rev. C. Griffin moved as an amendment, "That-Mr Caug-hey be requested to prepare a complete scheme for the more satisfactory working of the fund, and to submit the same to each of the next annual synods." This was seconded by the Rev. S. Griffith. Mr T. McMaster strongly supported the motion and saw no difficulty in the division of the fund. The key. C. E. Beecroft pointed out that the changes proposed would involve the abolishing of the office of the connexional secretary. Mr J. C. Allen strongly supported the motion. He thought that the view of the century fund the Loan Fund Commiti tee would at the end of year have an unusually large sum in- hand. Mr Hansen and the Rev. Mr Rishworth also strongly supported {he motion for change. . The Chairman indicated the immense amount of labour incurred in the administration of the fund, and thought that it would be less efficiently dealt with by six separate committees. The amendment having been withdrawn Mr Caughey replied at length and the motion was eventually carried by a very large majority with n

preamble that the Conference be requested to set up a committee at an early stage to consider this question and to report to the Conference. Representative to Conference.—The Rev. C. B. Beecroft was elected as re* presentative of the district at the enstrtng- Conference in Wellington, The Synod r&^ssail?^. 1$ sessio» this xnomingV, • :','•■ ji., 1