CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIV, Issue 1223, 10 December 1897, Page 5

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery of Clutha met here on Wednesday. There were present : Rev. J. A. Somerville (moderator), and Messrs Allan, Currie, Dalrymple, Will, Reid, Fairmaid, Gray and Fraser, ministers : and Messrs Johnston, Anderson, Tait and Young, elders. Rev. W. Wright of Columba Church, Oamaru, being present was associated with the Presbytery. Commissions of elders were received from Waihola and Tokomairiro on behalf of Alexander Fleming and James Bruce. Mr Allen reported that Mr Fairmaid and himself had examined plans and specifications for new church at Tahatika and approved of the same. The clerk read a communication from the convenor of the Church Extension Committee anent the necessity of fresh arrangements for the supply of Catlins mission field. Mr Kilpatrick moved and Mr Currie seconded .-- --" That a committee consisting of Revs. W. H. Gray (convenor) and Palrymple, aiid Messrs Young, Moir, G. Scott and Chesney, with power to add to their number, be appointed to visit Catlins mission as soon as convenient to ascertain where a suitable site for a cottage manse can be bought, and also to enquire what support the people will be likely to give to a permanent missionary should one be sent — the committee to report to a meet' ing of Presbytery to be held in h/uic ejl'cctiuii on 12th January next-" — The motion was agreed to. The following congregational records were laid on the table for examination : — Session and managing committee of Waihola ; the session of Tokomairiro ; session and managing committee of Waitahuna ; session and managing committee of Lawrence ; Deacon's court of Balelutha ; Session and Deacon's court of Lovell's Flat ; session and managing committee of Inchclutha ; session and managing eoinrmtiee of Kaitangata ; session and managing committee of Owaka ; session of Clutha and session and Deacon's court of Warepa. The same were examined, reported on and the Moderator directed to sign, the same. An application from the Deacons Court of Warepa was laid on the table and read requesting the Presbytery to authorise the purchase of land at Warepa Bush for a site for a church and submitted to the Presbytery plans for a proposed building for that purpose. — Mr Fairmaid moved and Mr Currie seconded that the Presbytery authorise the Church Board of Property to purchase a quarter acre of land at L-5 and approve of the plans of the building to be erected thereon and to transmit to the Synod the application for the same. — Mr Fraser moved and Mr Johnston seconded that the approval of the request be delayed till the specifications be laid on the table. — Only two voted for the amendment and the motion was carried . The Rev. P. B. Frazer gave notice of the following overture for the next ordinary meetting of Presbytery : — " Whereas the special object of the meeting of the Synod in March next is to celebrate happily the jubilee of the Church, a matter on which the utmost unanimity prevails, and whereas the basis of union with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has been set down for" consideration at said meeting, a question on which there is discussion throughout the Church provoking strong expressions of feeling on the floor of the Synod, and whereas it is desirable that such a historic gathering should be marked only by the cordial unanimity of all parties and of thankful men to God for past blessings bestowed on our Church it is hereby overtured by the Presbytery of Clutha to the Synod indicted to meet in March next that, in view of the above premises, the Synod postpone the consideration of the controversial question of union until the ordinary meeting of the Synod in October of next year. The Presbytery adjourned to meet in this place in Jiunc effectum on 12th January End for ordinary business on the second Wednesday of March at 11,30 a.m., and the meeting closed with prayer*