PRESBYTERY MEETING.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19851, 12 February 1930, Page 6

PRESBYTERY MEETING.

At the meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery yesterday morning, the Moderator, the Rev. J. Miller, presided over a good attendance. A memorial minute to the late Rev. W. T. Todd was read, expressing appreciation of his unassuming and Christ-like demeanour in all his acts. It was decided to transmit this of sympathy from the Presbytery, to his relatives. The Presbytery further expressed its sympathy with the Rev. A. McNeur, who has suffered greatly from illness, and with the Rev. E. Swinerd, • whose wife has been Beriously- ill. A motion to change the day of meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday was brought forward by the Rev. T. Paterson, who stated that the country ministers found that in Presbytery week at present the first available day for visiting was Wednesday, which unfortunately was the least suited for the purpose, as many farmers came to town on that day. It seemed that everything indicated advantages to be gained by the change. There was some opposition to the motion, on the grounds that the change had been tried before, and because "Tuesday seemed to be Presbytery day throughout the world." The motion was carried. Call to Cashmere. It was decided to .sustain the call from Cashmere Hills congregation to the Rev. J. Robertson, 8.A., of Alexandra, since the Rev. J. D. Hubbard, of Auckland, had leclined the first call. Various members, including the Moderator, spoke highly of Mr Robertson's: qualifications, especially of Mb work among young people. As it was understood that the call, if sustained, would be. accepted, the Revs. J. Collie and J. S. Young were appointed to represent the Christchurch Presbytery before the Central Otago Presbytery, April 3rd being tentatively fixed as the day of Mr Robertson's induction. The Rev. W. B. Black" stated that arrangements had been made for the induction of the "Rev. J. L. Robinson at St. Andrew's Church, and that the Rev. R. M. Ryburn was to address the minister, while the Rev. J. Miller was to address the people. A social was to be held in the evening. A sub-committee was appointed - to yisit the Lower Spreydon district and investigate the need for a Sunday School building there, as at present school was being held in a private house. It was stated that the area was at prosent a sort of no-man's land, but possibly there might later be development

necessitating the purchase of land for a church. The Rev. Theo. Paterson was appointed to Eecords Committee, and the Rev. G. K. Aitfcen to the Standing Committee of the General Assembly. The Budget for the. year was read, showing that some churehe? had exceeded their, allotment. A number of Elder's Commissions was approved. A petition was received from the Home Missions charge, praying that Mr H. Simmonds, who had been doing exceptional service, be raised to the status of the ministry. It was decided to forward the petition to the General Assembly, with the Presbytery's commendation, subject to the approval of the Home Missions Committee, and Mr Hutchison was appointed to sustain it at Assembly if that approval was obtained. Nomination of Moderator. The Presbytery decided unanimously to nominate Mr W. H. Rose for the position of Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, on the nomination of the Rev. G. K.. Aitfcen (Clerk 1 ". seconded by the Rev. J. D. Webster. Though it was not usual to appoint a layman to the position, it had been done before, and Mr Rose had displayed such qualities that the Presbytery was unanimously of opinion that no better man offered in the district. Several- members, spoke of Mr Rose's qualifications for the position.