AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1904, Page 3

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES AND EXTENSIONS. The Rev. W. Watt, Moderator, presided at a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery m St. Andrew's Church last night, when a number of ministerial changes were dealt with, the establishmeut of a new mission centre for the Northern Wairoa and the appointment or a pastor to tbe new church at Edendale being encouraging sisms of progress. News of the recovers' of the Rev. A. M. Beattie. pastor of Mangere. from his illness was received with expressions of satisfaction. T 7, e , m * T - H - B - Gray suggested that a small building should be erected ou the i?ii ? IVWI for :l Presbyterian church at t-llershe by Mrs Some.rville, so as to secur f v under the terms of the gift. It could be utilised for the holding of a SabDattwiicxil at present. Plans for a church could be prepared, and a portion bulk, wnien co-ttbd be added to in <rue course. u.pon the Moderator's suggestion Mr Gray moved that the matter bo referred to the committee on church extension. This was adopted. It was reported that the Rev. Frederick i> . Uad bt ' on asked t f > stipplv St. ,I<i)iu's, Kotorua for three months, : ,ud this was approved.

McPadyen. of Christchureh, was appointed as mission agent at Whangarei i-ieaos under tbe supervision of the minister at Waipu, very satisfactory reports navitig been received as to the progress of tbe work there. The Rev. Cray Dixon described the progress of the HelensTillp missioner's workin the North, and moved that a new mission centre be establish' I at Dargarille so as to enable the N—uutii Wairoa to be worked This was adopted, and Mr WansMne the Helensville missioner. appointed w the new charge, while the Rev. Gray Oixon was retiuesi.pil to arrange for the temporary supply of the lielensville district.

In regard to the cull by the congregation of Ivnox Church. Parnell, to tbe Rev. ■'■ '•■ Russell, M.A., Brisbane, tbe Rev. G. K. -Monro stated that Mr Russell bad written him to the effect that the call would be placed before -the- Presbytery on the 2nd inst and that he bad decided to accept it. it did not se.-m likely that he would be able to leave Brisbane earlier than the middle of February. Upon Mr .Monro's motion it was decided to make arrangements for the induction service.

The congregation of tbe Thames extend- ™ 11 " nani nioti,s call to the Rev. Alexander 1. Thompson. R.A.. D.D., and the clerk reported that Mr Thompson had expressed his intention of accepting it. _ Cpx>ii the motion of -the Rev. O. B. Monro it was decided to sustain the call, ami'arcrangements were made for the induction.

The Rev. Gray Dixon presented a call to the Rev. j. M. Eraser fmui the new chnrc-h at Edendale. This, he remarked, was a particularly interesting call, because it indicated definite progress in the suburbs, and added another to Dhe city and suburban congregations. The Rev. Mr Fraser had been associated with educational work in the district a good many years ago, and after many years' good service in the South he was now returning to his beloved North. There was every Indication that the Church would go on aud prosper, though witb.iu a few weeks two branches of the Church of Christ, a Baptist Church and a cotigregalion of c.hnstian Brethren had been formed in the district.

It having been decided to sustain Che call and place it in the Rev. Fraser's hraiiiis. the tarter addressed the Presbytery, stating that he irad spent twelve months already with Ihe Edendale congregation, and wonhl bo quite huppv there. Even although the establishment of other churches around might weaken the cause. It would, he was sirre. progress iv time, and if the Edendale friends were willing to make sacrifices, he would be happy to do his share and accept the nail (Applause.) U wa.s decided to bold the induction service on the evening of February Kith. A call to the K,.y. T. A. Norrie. of c'ororuaiidel, by the congregation of l'ok.-no Church, was presented by tbe Moderator. This was sustained by two members of the congregation, who said -the cause wok in a very healthy condition. Tth-e congregation at Coroinand.pl offered no opposition to the transfer of Mr Norrie. with whom, bowever, they parted very reluctantly The Rev. J. M. Norrie, who was present. signified bis acceptance, and the date of his induction wus fixed for February 2l>Ui at 2.30 p.m.

Permission was given to the Rev. 11. B Gray to moderate a call ou behalf of the congregation of Devonport Church. The Rev. R. L. Walker was appointed to moderate at Coromandel and declare the charge vacant.

The forthcoming visit of the Rev. Alexander Don, a Presbyterian missiouer amoug ■tile Chinese, was announced by the Rev Cray Dixon, who said that Mr Don intended making a tour of the whole district, commencing on Maruh l.sth and continuing until April llth. The I'resbyrerv expressed appreciation of the proposed visit. IMans of a proposed new church at Whakatane were presented by the clecrk.who read a coruniunb-a tion from the U]K>clki session supporting an application for a loan of i'loo towards the erection of the building, which would cost £170. A section of land bad been leased for ten rears from ■the Auckland Education Board. Dissatisfaction was expressed at the short term of the lease, and it was decided to postpone decision upon granting the loan.