METHODISM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 3

METHODISM.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The fourth session of the annual New Zealand Methodist Conference was held yesterday, the president, the Rev. A. Ashcroft, presiding. Prior to the opening of the session an unofficial meeting of representatives was held in the Cambridge terrace church for the purpose of creating and fostering the determination that the 1924 conference should mark an epoch of spiritual advance, and to mobilise the forces of Methodism in a campaign of broad and aggressive evangelism. The greetings of the Presbyterian General Assembly were conveyed to the Conference, in a letter from tho Moderator, the Rev. J. dimming. Supernumeraries. The following ministers were placed on the list of supernumeraries:—The Eev. T. G. Brooke, who has served in the active ministry for 44 years, and has been general secretary of the Home Missions since 1909; the Rev. B. F. Rothwell, ex-president of the Conference, who was forced to resign on account of a serious breakdown in health; the Rev. J. Wrigley, whose retirement was necessitated by ill-health; and the Revs. A. Harding and T. A. Pybus (for a further year). The Rev. "William A. Watson will return from tho supernumerary list to regular work. Permission to visit England was given to the Revs. "W. A. Sinclair and R. Raine, and both were duly accredited to the British Conference. Permission to rest during the year was granted to the Revs. A. M. Costain and C. C. Harrison, and the Rev. G. S. Cook was recommended to have permission to rest in 1925, and have supply granted. A sincere note of sympathy was passed with the Rev. W. Baumber, who, for some timo has been acting as supply in the Cashmere circuit, but who, on account of ill-health, has been forced to retire from that position. Centenary Fund. The Rev. S. Griffith and Mr H. Field presented the report on the Centenary Fund, which showed a possible maximum income of £43,558. However, it was estimated that at least £1330 must be regarded as bad debts owing to circumstances which had arisen since the promises were made. Another £IOOO would have to be deducted on account of a legacy not being available. Working expenses totalled £3OOO, leaving a net result of £35,500 to divide amongst the funds stipulated at the inception of the fund. Of this amount £7OO would go towards the Maori Girls' College, and £IOO to the Home Missionaries' Retiring Fund, as these objects were earmarked bv certain donors.

Considerable discussion took place with regard to the funds of the Maori Girls' School, and it was decided to refer the matter back to the committee for further consideration. A letter was received from the Christchurch Bowling Club stating that tho club's green was available for the use of visiting members during the Conference.

The intimation was received with thanks.

During the afternoon the Conference went into committee.

The 6ession was continued last night when the Stationing Committee brought down the first reading of the stationing sheet. It is anticipated that the roadinc will be finalised this mornintf.