YESTERDAY'S SESSION

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13596, 3 December 1909, Page 10

YESTERDAY'S SESSION

Before entering upon general business yesterday morning, the Chairman, the Rev. C. H. Garland, read a telegram from Auckland to tho effect that in that Synod the vote for independence resulted in 27 for and 24 against; Otago Synod, 27 for, 7 against. The total vote for tlie Dominion to date shows lo(J votes cast in favour of independence, with 72 against the ijroposal. An interesting report was received from the Home Mission organising secretary, the Rev. T. G. Brooke. On the motion of the Rev. H. Bull a vote expressive of appreciation of the secretary's work was placed upon tho records, and his re-appointment very heartily recommended to Conference. The. Rev. S. Lawry moved: —"(1) That Conference be recommended to provide for the appointment of District Home Mission Advisory Committees. (2) Each committee to consist of chairmen of districts, and not less than two other ministers and three laymen to be appointed by Conference, duties of committees to be reception of secretary's report, consideration of new territory, to make recommendations to executive, consideration of grants, deputations, and to promote Home Mission and Church Extension work, and the interests of the fund throughout the districts." This was carried without dissent. The Rev. H. Bull (general secretary, Church Building and Loan Fund) moved: —''That Conference be recommended : 'That the cordial thanks of Conference be presented to Mr R. W. England, who retires from the committee in 1910, for the valuable and acceptable services rendered by him during the several years of his membership of the committee.' That the following be the committee for 1910-11:—Tlie secretary, with the superintendents of the Christchurch and Lyttelton circuits, the second and third ministers of the Durham street circuit with Messrs J. H. Blackwell, J. Brown, A. F. Dravton, C. E. Salter, J. L. Scott, J. Down, J. C. Prudhoe, R. M. CiesswoU, and A. K. England." Tho committee set up by Conference for connexional literature presented its report, and on the motion of the convener, the Rev. L. Hudson, it was resolved:—"That Conference be asked to establish a connexional organ." The question of the Bible-claw? movement was left in the hands of Conference. The Synod adjourned at 12.45, and during the afternoon attended a garden party at the invitation of Mr and Mrs J. A. Flesher. Tho members of the Synod, their families, host and hostess, were present in good numbers and spent a delightful afternoon, amongst the provisions for entertainment of the guests being an excellent string band, croquet, bowls, and tennis. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and during the afternoon photographs of the gathering were taken. Tlie Rev. W. Baumber expressed to Mr and Mrs Flesher the heartiest thanks and appreciation of tbe guests. The Rev. C. H. Laws, 8.A., presented the report of the Special Committee appointed bj' Conference to consider work in connection with Sunday Schools. After considerable discussion it was decided to leave the new proposals to be adopted by School Committees as were thought desirable. The Convener moved that the Advisory Board be continued as at present. Several proposals, after some alterations, were submitted to Conference. The report on "lay pastorate" was presented by the Rev. C H. Laws, c ni boding many important proposals. The report was received and adopted. It was pointed out that the time had arrived when in every circuit pastoral assistance was necessary. In large centres., especially, city demands were so frequent for extra work on the part of the minister that it became an absolute necessity to appoint class leaders and others to assist the ministers of the church in visitation and care of members ami adherents. The quarterly meetings following Conference will

be asked to give this matter fullest! consideration in order to secure a good start next veor. , ~- • The report of the Central Mission Committee was presented by the Rev. J. X. Buttle. After its reception it was agreed that Conference be asked to establish a Central Mission in Christchurch in 1911. and that it be officered by a superintendent and an assistant minister. The Revs. W. A. Sinclair and X. Turner were nominated and recommended to Conference for the respective portion-. It was also decided to ask Conference to re-appoint the committee with the addition of the name of Rev. L. M. Isitt. The Hey. A. Ashcroft submitted' the statistical returns and report, which was adopted. On the motion of the secretary, surest ions for the consideration of "Conference were decided upon an improved svsteni of statistical returns. A vote" of thanks and approbation to the secretary was very heartily accorded. _„ ~. Mr C. K. Salter moved: —"That this Synod desire- to urge upon the Government the desirability of making amendments in the Gaming Act, with a view of checking the gambling evil- Tho Synod einphaticilly protests against the licensing of bookmakers, and urges that the existing law which authorises such be repealed during the present session of Parliament. It also respectfull.v sugjiests that the number of race days he considerably reduced." The motion was carried.

Votes of thanks wore passed to the chairman, secretaries, reporters, host and hostess. The Synod was brought to a close by the reading of the "Journal" and Benediction.