PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7257, 17 January 1889, Page 6

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Duringyesfcerday's session the following appointments of ministers were finally fixed :—

New Plymouth, Rev. ,T. Clover; Wellington 1., J. Nixon, J.. Dumbell, sup., P. N. Hunter, sup., W. J. Dean, sup.; Wellington 11., C. E. Ward; Auckland 1., A. J. Smith and J. Long, sup., Mr W. Woodward, Home Missionary ; Auckland 11., W. Laycock; Thames, J. Dawson; Manawatu, W. Harris, CM.; Christchurch, W. T. Potter; Greendale, P. W. Jones; Ashburton, J. Boothroyd; Geraldine, G. Clement; Tiinaru. W. Woollass ; Dunedin, J. Sharp; Invercargill, J. Guy and J. Olphert; South Invercargill, T. H. Lyon; Oamaru and Waimate, under the care of Timaru and Geraldine ministers; Foxton, one to be obtained. The Rev. H. E. Potter tendered his resignation as a ministerial, probationer, as he found himself out of sympathy with some features of the Church's polity. The Conference received the resignation with regret. Mr W. Woodward preached before the Conference, and will be employed as a Home Missionary on the Auckland I. Station during the coming year. The following arrangements of deputations for the Home Mission Service were made:—New Plymouth, to arrange their own; Auckland I. and 11., Rev. John Dawson; Wellington I. and IL, Rev Walter Harris; Invercargill, Rev. J. Sharp; Timaru, Rev. G. Clement; Thames, Rev. W. Laycock; Greendale, Rev. W. S. Potter; Christchureh, Rev. P. W. Jones; Ashburton, Rev. George Clement; Manawaturßev. Charles E. Ward ; Geraldine, Rev. William Woollass ; Dunedin, Rev. J. Guy; South—lnvercargill, to arrange their own; Oamaru and Waimate, to arrange their own.

Legislation from the Wellington 11. Station that a connexional periodical be published was approved. The Rev. A. J. Smith was appointed editor. The paper will be issued quarterly. The Revs. J. Guy, W. S. Potter, and A. J. Smith were appointed examiners of candidates and probationera for the ministry. The Rev. P. W. .Topes was elected Representative of the English Conference for the next New Zealand Conference. The following Connexional officers were appointed:—Treasurer of Children's Equalisation Fund, Mr D. Goldie, M.H.R.; Treasurer of Missionary Fund, Mr J. Taylor, J.P.; Treasurer of New Zealand Superannuated Ministers* Widows and and Orphans' Kund, Mr G. Froggatt; District Secretary and Book Steward, Rev. J. Dumbell. Arrangements were made for a more general distribution of : English Connexional literature in the colony. The Rev. W. J. Deans applied for superannuation, increasing infirmities rendering him unable to carry on the active duties of the Ministry... The application was sustained, and the Conference expressed its sympathy and regret. The rev. gentleman will remove from Geraldine to Wellington in March. It was agreed that a request be forwarded to the English Conference for four young ministers, and that a vote of thanks be forwarded to the Missionary Committee in London for having sent out the Rev. J. Dawson, who during his short stay in the colony has already proved himself to be an efficient minister. : Arrangements were made for mission services in connection with the visit of the Rev. G. Warner to this colony. ' The rev. gentleman will commence his work in Christchurch on Sundaynext, in the Cam« bridge terrace Church. He will afterwards visit Invercargill, Tiraaru, Wellington, Manawatu, New Plymouth and Auckland. It is also probable that he may visit some of the smaller towns surrounding these centres. The Secretary was instructed to forward fraternal greetings to the Wesleyan Conference and the United Methodist Free Church District Meeting. Legislation from Australia in reference to the formation of an Australasian Triennial Conference was received, and referred to the Circuits for their favorable consideration. . The Conference resolved—" That in view of the grievous evils inflicted upon society by gambling, horse racing, intemperance and social impurity, this meeting pledges itself to do its utmost in every possible way to suppress these vices. ,. The Conference expressed its sympathy with the Bill in favor of the early closing of shops and factories. It was decided that the next annual assembly of the Church be held in Auckland, to commence on January 18th, 1890.

A missionary meeting was held last evening; in . the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace, in connection with the Conference. The proceedings began with a procession through the streets, after which An adjournment was made to the church. The chair was taken by Mr D. Goldie, of Auckland, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Sharp and Jones, and Mr Hilton. There was a good attendance, and the addresses wee? listened to with & large amount of interest.