METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 51, 29 February 1916, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

MONDAY AFTERNOON'S SESSION. The following business was transacted at the afternoon session of the New Zealand Methodist Conference yesterday, Rev. A. C. Lawry presiding. OBITUARY. Conference devoted some time to obituary reference to the late Revs. YV. .Kirk (Wellington) and James Benning, both of whom died since last sitting of Conference. Eulogistic remarks upon the work done by both ministere were made by a number of members of the Conference. Reference -was also made to the death of Mr. Rowe Fennell (of Woodville), for many years a member of the Conference, and votes of condolence were passed by members of Conference standing-. LEFT THE CONNEXION. The Rev. Edward Banby was reported as having ceased to be recognised ac a minister of tho Conference. ' TRANSFERS TO AUSTRALIA. " In connection with the Te-transfer of the Rev. T. Treetrail (Cambridge) to the South Australian Conference, the Rev. T. A. Griffin spoke in high praise of the great services rendered by that gentleman to the South Auckland district, and to the church generally. The Conference then agreed to cable that the Rev. E. \V. Caust, of Port Pirie, asking that gentleman to come to New Zealand, in place of the Rev. Treetrail. The Conference also agreed to ask the General Conference of Australia to facilitate the transfer of the Rev. C A. Simms to Australia, and recommended the Conference to find a suitable circuit for him on his transfer. APPOINTMENTS TO CIRCUITS. AH the Synods having approved of the substitution of 55 per cent for 75 per cent in the case of granting an extension of the terms of appointment to I circuits, the Conference sustained the ' alteration of the vote by 148 to 3. The first case affected wae that of the Taranaki Street Church, Welling- | ton, a memorial having been presented I that the Rev. G. J- Chapman be allowed to remain a sixth year. By a vote of 144 to 3 this was treated as a special case, thus allowing the Stationing Committee a free hand in the matter. The next case wae that of Papanui, ChristehuTch, which circnit wished to retain the services of the Rev. A. Peters for a sixth year. This also was treated as a special case, by 131 to 4. THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. The report of the Principal of the Theological College stated there were only seven studente at the present time, as the tfihers had gone to the front with the Principal's consent. Three of the preeent resident students were attending the Univereity. They had entered heartily into the Students' Christian Movement. Mr. W. S. Smith presented the College with a New Zealand flag. All three students passed in their respective subjects at the University College examinations. The report was adopted, the Principal and Mrs. Garland being thanked. Th'i Conference decided to liberalise the fund for studente' fees. NEW TJSEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. The Auckland Synod recommended that the following be the General Committee in connection with the proposed new college:—The Revs. C. H. Laws, BJL, G. Bond, J. H. Simmonds, J. Dukes, C. H. Garland, A. C. La wry, W. •S. Potter, G. H. Mann, J. Wrigley, and T. F. Jones (Conference to mako the necessary adjustments), Messrs. G. Winstone, A. C. Caughey, A. Peak, J. E. Wheeler, S. J. Ambury, G. A. Buttle, T. W. Jones, J. Veale, J. H. Gunson, J. W. Shackelford, F. W. Wilson, G. Winstone, jun., J. Stanton, LL3., J. Marsden Caughey, J. W. Court, J. Watkinson and Alfred Trenwtih. Joint treasurers: Messrs. A. C. Caughey and A. Peak. This was adopted by Conference, the Stationing Committee being empowered to fill the vacancies in the event of any of the ministers named be' • transferred^