ONEHUNGA METHODISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 245, 16 October 1925, Page 9

ONEHUNGA METHODISTS.

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS AND LAY PREACHERS. The quarterly meeting , of the Onehunga Methodist circuit was held last night and was attended by representatives from Onehunga, Penrose and Mangere. The Rev. E. Drake, chairman of the district, presided. Mr. A. J. Pople, senior circuit steward, reported 223 senior and 58 junior members on the roll, being an increase of ten for the quarter. The expenditure amounted to £119 0/4, leaving a credit balance of £43 16/2. Mr. T. Moor informed the meeting that several scholars were converted at the recent mission. The Rev. W. Parker remarked that the mission had failed to reach non-church-goers. The expenses of the mission amounted to £8 12/2. A vote of thanks was accorded to the members who conducted the mission and to Mr. A. R. Gatland, choirmaster.

The Rev. G. S. Cook, who is away on holiday leave for 12 months, was invited to remain on the circuit for a fourth year. The meeting was asked to vote on a suggestion from conference that in future no invitation be given to a minister for the first three years in a circuit. The chairman expressed surprise that the members had received no notice of the proposal. He explained that the Methodist Conference could transfer a minister from one circuit to another at any time. If the proposal was adopted it would mean that a minister would be appointed for a term of three years instead of as at present. After that period he could be invited to continue for another year by a two-thirds majority of those present at the September quarterly meeting. The proposed alteration did not meet with appreciation, and satisfaction was expressed with the present system of ministerial appointments.

Messrs. A. J. Pople and J. Booth were appointed representatives to Synod which meets in Auckland on November 11, with Messrs. T. Moor and A. Eustace as substitute representatives.

Messrs. R. G. Laking anu T. Moor •were reappointed auditors. A sites committee was appointed to consider the advisability of securing , a site for a new church in the vicinity of the Mangere bridge and report to the. next quarterly meeting.

A monthly service has been started in the residence of Mr. G. Parker in that neighbourhood and it is hoped to make it permanent until a church can be erected. With that end in view the service has been put on the preachers' plan and appointments made accordingly.

Messra R. Stacey, V. Fletcher, R. Fletcher and W. Archer were received as lay preachers on trial. The chairman complimented the circuit on this fact, and in doing so remarked that 21 candidates had entered for the Methodist ministry this year, mostly single men.

The meeting expressed its appreciation of the services rendered to the Church by Mr. Scott, who is leaving shortly for Dunedin.

It is over 50 years since Mr. Scott joined the Onehuriga Methodist Church and he remarked, in acknowledging the vote, that he felt his severance from so many friends very keenly. The sum of £5 was added to the Rev. W. Parker's salary for his good work during the quarter.