PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3895, 16 January 1878, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

The Presbytery of Christcbureh met in St. Andrew's Church echoolroom on Thursday, 10th January. Sederunt—The Bers. Messrs Burnett (Moderator), Fraeer, Cree, McO&Uum, Hill, Homer, Waddell, and McGregor (clerk). The Moderator stated that the first business was to appoint a Moderator for the current year. Before retiring from the chair, he thanked his brethren for their kindness and forbearance during the tenure of his office; and nominated as his successor the next on the roll, the Rev. Mr McCallum, which was agreed to; and he -welcomed Mr McCallum to the Moderator's chair. Messrs Miln and Duncan appeared as a deputation from the congregation of Pepanni and St. Alban's, and asked that in Mr Elmslie'e absence Mr McGregor be appointed Moderator. Mr Hill moved—"That in consequence of Mr Elmslie's illness Mr McGregor be appointed Moderator." Mr Fraeer seconded, and it was agreed to. The deputation further stated that they desired to nave a minister settled in the district, and that they guaranteed the minimum stipend of £250 per annum ; and that they -will take steps to build a manse on the section i they hare tor that purpose as soon as possible. After some remarks with reference to title deeds of Papanui Church, Mr Fraeer moved—" That the Moderator of Pap&nui examine the title deeds of the church property and report at next meeting"; which woe seconded by Mr Cree and unanimously agreed to. Mr Fraeer also moved—" That the request for moderation in a call at an early date be granted." Mr Cree seconded, and the motion was carried. Iki documents from Kumara were laid on the table, and the letter from Mr Douglas, Akaroa, declining the call, was read. Mr Fraeer stated that he waited for two hours on 29th November, and as there was no quorum the meeting lapsed. Mr Fraser moved— " That the decision of Mr Douglas, declining the call from Kumara and Stafford, be approved, and that instruction thereof be sent o the Presbytery of Westland." Mr McGregor reported, as convener of the committee on Presbyterial visitation, that the work of the committee .had been superseded by the Reverend the General Assembly, and the committee bad not met. The treasurer's account for the past year was laid on the table, read and confirmed. Instructions were given to those members present whose congregations had not paid their Presbytery expenses to see that it was done without delay, and also to the Moderator to write to Sefton to the same effect. Mr Hill moved—"That the Rev. Messrs Fraser and McGregor be a committee to prepare the assessment of the congregations for Presbytery expenses for the past year." Agreed to. A report from the committee on theological training was postponed. Mr Cree withdrew his motion re Church Extension Association in favour of Mr Burnett's amendment, viz.:—" That a sub-com-mittee be appointed by the Presbytery to act j and arrange for a conference with the committee of the .Association at as early a date as possible, the committee to be the Rev. Messrs Fraser and Hill, the latter convener. Mr Hill seconded, and it was unanimously agreed to. A report from committee on statistics was postponed. The Commissioners to the Assembly gave in their report. Mr Burnett stated he was prevented from going through scarlet fever breaking out in his family. Mr Waddell stated he could not attend the Assembly as he could not obtain supply. The Rev. Messrs Cree and Hill gave a brief resxung of the proceedings, and referred to the Christian spirit that prevailed in the court. Mr Fraser moved, and Mr Waddell seconded —" That their attendance and diligence be approved." The motion was carried. Mr M'Gregor reported the state of affairs at Waraei, bet asked the Presbytery to postpone their decision until he had a fuller report to lay before them} which, was agreed; to; Mr Burnett gave in hie report of the separation of the Bakaia district from the Ashbnrton. Mr Fraser moved —" That Mr Burnett's application, at the instance of the Presbyterian residents for the erection of South Bakaia and Chertsey district into a separate ecclesiastical district be granted, and that such, district be placed under Mr Burnett's temporary superintendence nntil they are able to support a a minister." Mr Hill seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr Cree dissenting, desired his dissent to be recorded, as no application had come from the people, but only from the minister. Mr Fraeer proposed—" That a committee be appointed to welcome Dr. Somerville to the bounds of the Presbjtery, to aid him in such a way as maybe found practicable, and to arrange if possible for his visiting some of the centres of the country population, the committee to consist of the. Rev. Messrs Hill, Cree, M'Gregor, and the mover." Mr Hill seconded, and it was unanimously agreed to. The: meeting was closed with, the benediction.