WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9862, 11 March 1896, Page 5

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 10. The Wesleyan Conference resumed in ministerial session. The case of Mr Wells, a candidate for ..the ministry, was further considered, was decided to receive him for training. Mr Myer was accepted from the Doited Methodist Fsae Church. The followiug probationers passed in their respective years:—The Revs. Frost, Harrison, Bellhouse, Dawson, Elliot, Porter, Ashcrof t, Lochore and Richards. Students Ohappel, Bowie aud Craddook were selected for circuit work; students Burton and Hoskings will remain another year at College.

A long discussion took place as to the duties and source of remuneration of the j Connexional Secretary. With regard to the prop Daal to pay £150 out of the Home Mission Fund to the Secretary, several Auckland representatives opposed this very strongly. Others contended that the work done lor the Home Mission by the Secretary was more than equivalent to the amount. '. The Rev. Mr Morley warmly appealed to the Conference to give the Secretary full confidence, and deliver him from perpetual" heckling and haggling. The Committee's report was adopted with a slight alteration. A letter was received from the local representatives of the Society of Friends, sending Christian greetings to""-the Conference, aud asking the Conference to join in a protest against the recant alarming growth in the war spirit, which was entirely opposed to the spirit of Christ. It was resolved to euitably acknowledge the communication. It was decided that Mangawhare should be constituted a home mission station. Of the circuits due to take married ministers, Wellington was relieved on. the understanding that no further application is to be made. The new Hastings circuit is to provide for a married minister. The following probationers are to be apnointed:--Hutt circnit, with a grant of £50"; Greytown, with a grant of £20 ; Methven, home mtsI sion circuit. Alexandra (Otago) is to be constituted a home mission station, and the Conference recommends the Cargill circuit !to employ a home missionary to work the Mosgiel district. At the evening sitting the Conference resolved—" That it be an instruction to the Committee on Home Mission Affairs that where grants are made the minimum salary for the minister is fixed."

The church building and loan fund report and balance-sheets were explained and discussed at considerable length. The Conference decided not to proceed with the plan ' for dealing with Che whole trust debts of the colony. The report and balance-sheets were adopted. In the case of the Oamaru trust debt it was decided that the Committee should pay off the mortgage of £400, making the total amount due to the loan fund £1070, to be paid off by quarterly instalments at the rate of £50 per annum; the trustees also promising to raise £100 every third yoar by a special effort. This morning tbe Conference breakfast was held, at which a number of interesting* speeches were made. To-morrow afternoon the members will be entertained at a picnic.