THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 50, 22 November 1917, Page 6

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. By Telojraph—Press Association. Dunedin, November 21. The Presbyterian General Assembly opened with service last evening, and subsequently the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C., was installed as Modera* tor. At to-day's session the Rev. Mr. Comrie presented the treasurer's report, which stated that the past year had been a record one in rospect of the amount contributed to the general funds of the Church. Mr. Comrie said the total congregational collections came to £22,777, and contributions of a more or less personal character had to bo added. It was to be regretted that the money was so sent as to get past the treasurer, thus evading assessment for assembly expenses. Between £60,000 and £70,000 had passed through his hands as treastirer. . The special committee on beneficiar.y funds recommended that Regulation 14 of the Ministers' Widows' • and Orphans' Fund be altered to provide that a member who had attained the age of 65 shall, on resigning his appointment, be entitled to an annuity of £50, with £1 additional for each year ( of ministerial service prior to January 1, 1917, and £2 for each subsequent year. The Assembly may, on tho recommendation of the committee in charge of the fund, alter the increment for services prior to January, 1917, up to, but iiot exceeding, £2 for each year, the increase to remain in force till the next Assembly. As a result _of the special appeal for £15,000 for increasing the annuities to aged ministers, practically the full amount has been promised.' Tho report was referred to a committee to report to a future sitting of the present session.

The Beneficiary Fund Committee reported tho income to be £8344. expenditure £4396, and the credit balance £92,386. Miss Jessie Cairn, of Dunedin, was appointed second Sunday School agent at a salary of £150, with £50 for travelling expenses. It was stated that the Church had 735 Sunday Schools, 3928 teachers, and 38,225 scholars, and the revenue for the year was £6968. The Fire Insurance Committee reported that insurances were in force amounting to £269,111. The amount to the credit of the fund was £2358. The losses for the year were £53. Tho Rev. Balfour stated that all eligible men from the Theological Hall had gone to the front. No exemptions had been asked for. Eight of them had lost their lives.