GRAHAMSTOWN WHARF EXTENSION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3939, 7 April 1870, Page 4

GRAHAMSTOWN WHARF EXTENSION.

A. meeting} was held at the Pacific Hotel on Tuesday evening, in reference to the wharf afc Grahamstown. — Mr Styak took the chair. — The Chairman read the following report of the committee : — "The committee have to report that, in accordance with instructions received at the meeting held on the 29th ultimo, they have procured a tracing from plans made by the Engineer-in-Chief of the site of the proposed extension of the present wharf, which shows that 2i feet more depth of water will be obtained by canying oiit the present wharf 1,000 feet, which would allow the ordinary steamers trading to this port to arrive two houis sooner and remain two hours longer than they do at present, which would obviate the necessity of landing passengers in small boats. And also it has been ascertained that a respectable contractor has offered to undertake the work, finding all materials, for £1,250, half of which sum the inhabitants are willing to subscribe; and the committee strongly recommend that the Government should be earnestly requested either to undertake the extension, or offer such reasonable terms as would induce private parties to do so." — Mr. Wai moll proposed the following resolution: — "That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, fairly representing the inhabitants of Grutiamstown and Shortland, that it is essential for the public convenience that the present «h*rf Da extended 1,000 feet further, and that the Government are respectfully requested to proceed with the extension forthwith, or else contribute half the amount required from the goldfielda revenue,"— Mr. P. Griffin seconded the motion. -Mi 1 . Hose said the contract for th« Tararu Wharf had been taken that morning, so that there was not much use going on.r— Captain Butt moved as an amendment: — " That this meeting feels surprised that, after the repeated promises of the Superintendent to devote the public funds to the opening up the country, they should be called upon to offer an opinion upon wharf accommodation not now required," — Mr. Hagin seconded the amendment. — The Chairman declared the amendment to be ..carried.''

AUJKLIND PRESBYTERY. The monthly sederunt of the Auckland Presbytery was held at St. David's Church, yesterday morning, at 11 o'clock. Present : The Moderator (Rev. R. F. Macnicol), Rey. Messrs. D. Brace, J. Maoky, T. Nome, R. McKinney, and A.O. Seuter. Elders: Messrs. Thompson and William Hay. The Moderator commenced proceedings by reading the 32nd chapter of Isaiah, and then engaged in prayer. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. New Member.— The Rev. A. C. Seuter (late of Nelson) was introduced to the Presbytery, the Moderator stating that this rev. gentleman was going to fulfil the Rev. Mr. Brace's duties during that gentleman's absence, [Letter read from Presbytery of Nelson, accepting Mr. Seuter 's resignation of his charge in that place • also extract from ininutes of Home Mission, with other testimonials.] — He was received into the Presbytery. Leave of Absence. — The Eev. D. Bruce then rose and said he took this opportunity of asking leave of this Court for a year, in order that he might recover his health. He would lay before them a certificate from his medical adviser, to show that this course was absolutely necessary ; also the records of the Kirk Session, which showed that his place had been supplied, the Rev. Mr. Seuter most opportunely arriving here in the interval, and willingly undertaking to enter into his (Mr. Bruces) duties, until such time as the Rev. Mr. McCosh could be comniunica'led with. He made these explanations in order to remove all anxiety from the minds of the Presbytery. [Certificate from Dr. Stockwell read. ] — The Chairman said he was sure they would all sympathise with the Rev. Mr. Bruce, and wish the object speedily attained that made it necessary for him to go home. —The Rev. Mr. Macky said, though they all trusted that Mr. Bruces absence would be a means of restoring his health and strength, still they would all regret that this s>tep was necessary; and he (with the whole Chiwch) trusted that the rev. gentleman would return in good health, after having been the means of doing much good at home for the New Zealaud Church, for which he has laboured so long. He (Mr. Macky) had much pleasure in looking back upon the years in which he had sat with that gentleman [in the Presbytery. They all earnestly desired his speedy return in good health. He would move the adoption of the following resolution :—: — " That the Presbytery, having heard with deep regret of the continued iudiajjositioii of the Rev. D. Bruce, rendering it necessaiy that he should cease for a time from the active duties of his office, and having been informed that the congregation of St. Andrews have made such arrangements as will enable him. to visit his native land, desire to express their coidial sympathy with Mr. Bruce, and to the congregation their approval of, and concurrence m, the couise which they have, agreed upon, and their earnest hope that the health of their beloved brother may soon be perfectly established, and 'that, after a pleasant and profitable sojourn in Britain, he may, by the good hand of God upon him, re burn in safety to this land, with the beioved companions of his .journey, and be restored in all his wonted vigour to his attached congregation and to 'the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, which lie has served so faithfully and with such untiring /seal for upwards of sixteen years." — The Rev. ]Vr. Norrio seconded the resolution, cordially concurring in the remarks made by Mr, Macky. He sincerely wished lvl v, Bruce a safe voyage, and a speedy return, — The R.ev. Mr. MoKinney spoke to the resolution. It was only on his way to Auckland that ho had heard of the Rev, Mr. Bruoe's departure, and he heard of its cause with deep regret, The rev, gentleman referred to the valuable services rendered by the Rev. Mr. Bruce, and expressed a hope that nothing would happen to impair the efficiency of the Church during his absence. — The Rev. D. Bruce thanked the Presbytery for the kind feelings, that had been expressed towards him, and hoped that by the Providence of God he would soon return. Appointment of Clerk.— On the motion of Mr. Nome, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Macky, Mr. Seuter was appointed Clerk to the Presbytery. — A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Bruce for hia services as Clerk. Day-school Committee's Report. — The Rev. Mr. Nome brought up the report of the Day-Sohool Committee, The committee reported that there were 23 schools either directly or indirectly aided by the congregations of the Piesbytery. The connection with the Church was however slender, owing to the control of the district committees, under the operation of the Common Schools. Act. The schools were, however, generally in a flourishing and expanding condition. For this progress they were principally indebted to the aid given by the Provincial Government. The report * also stated the committee had availed itself to a great extent of the benefits conferred by the 40th clause of the Common Schools Act. The committee reported also that there was the germ of an efficient system of education in the 40th clause, and hoped thafa in any future Act the principle would be developed and improved. He said he might have alluded in the reporb to the importance of watching over legislation in regard lo education. It had been thought that the Common Schools Act contained the germs of a good and efficient scheme. He had differed with the Board as to the intention of the 40fch clause of the Act. He contended that the clause included those schools which were under a denomination, but in which the denominational system was not adopted. If a private individual could get a&sistauoe, why should not a denomination ? They had, however, connected the school with a general dhtiict committee, and had eschewed any system that would involve any attempt at proselytising. The framers of the clause had evidently intended that no religious teaching should be adopted in a Government building. He thought the olause of the Act of 1857, or the Otago prinoiple, should be adopted. It was clear that the Common Schools Act was founded upon the Otago system, while it was not applicable from the fact that Ofcago possessed endowments for educational purposes, while this province did not. The principle of encouraging local enterprise should be adopted. The only part of the new Act in operation was that contained in the 40th clause, which embodied the very principles and spirit of the old Act. It was an improvement, however, because it did away with the unequal distribution of money in the centres oi population ; it provided for inspection, and gave a discretionary powei to the Board of Education. - - The Rev. Mr. McKinney said it would be desirable if the Presbyteryiet the country know that they were not satisfied with the exclusion of religious teaching from the schools. The Act seemed to him so stringent that it precluded a schoolmaster from pointing out marks of | design in the organism of botany. He was happy to say that it was impossible for their little petty Government to get up a system from which all religion would be excluded. They would have to prepare a series of school books — and he questioned their ability to do s,o — from which religion would be ex- j eluded, for he Lnew of no books in existence of the same character.— The Rev. Mr. Maoky said he regarded the Common Schools Act as an ill.featurad thing which j was about to vanish away, He thought it right that tha School Committee should record its protest against the exclusion of general religious teaching, He did not objeot to tha exclusion of denominational teaching j but he objeoted to the oxolusiou of religious instruction of any kind. He did not think any community, however imall, would consent to accept aid shackled with the condition of entire exclusion o£ religious teaching. He believed the rulers of the country would ere long see the danger of a purely secular education. He thought that a purely secular education would only enable a community,'to pursue vice and wickedness with more activity. — Mr. Bruce moved, and Mr. McKinney: seconded, the adoption, of ,the report, 'and tha.t the committee,!? c instructed

to watch over legislation in connection with education. Induction ov Mr. Wallace.— Mr. Bruce reported that owing to unavoidable circumstances lie had been unable to go to Wha* ngarei to induct the[Rev. Mr. Wallace. He hoped the Moderator himself would be able to go before long.— The Moderator said he would be able to undertake the duty. College Repokt.— The consideration of this report was resumed, together with the petition from Ramarama. - Mr. Mackay brought up the report, which stated that after n comparison of the systems adopted by the Presbyterian churches generally, the Committee had decided to recommended a curriculum of studies and course of examination to be adopted until such time as the General Assembly of the Church could devise a permanent form of procedure. The report went on to prescribe the course of study and examination. —On the motion of Mr. JNTorrie, seconded by Mr. McKinney, the report was adopted Ramarama Petition-.— The Presbytery resumed the consideration of the petition for the constitution, of a new district under a new charge, including Pokeno, Ramarama, Pukekohe, &c. A resolution, adopted by the General Church Committee of the united congregation of Papakura, was read; also resolutions adopted by the congregation of East Pukekohe, by members and adherents of the Presbyterian Chinch of Pokeno, and by the congregation of Ramarama. — Mr. Cricket was heard on behalf of the petition.— Mr. A. McDonald was heard on behalf of East Pukekohe Church, iii objection to the memorial. — Mr. Cricket de&ired to reply, and, though informed that the Presbytery could not hear him twice, persisted in speaking. He denied having used undue influence in obtaining the signatures to the memorial. — The Rev. Mr. Nome was also heard. He referred in the course of his speech to the letter of a Pokeno correspondent, and remarked that the newspapers had better take care what sort of correspondent they had at that place, or it might otherwise bring them into trouble. — Mr. William Hay was also heard. — Mr. Cricket put on his hat, and retired in a very indignant man ncr, denouncing' the statements made by Mr. A. McDonald as a tissue of falsehoods, and stating that he (Mr. Cricket) would go elsewhere for justice. — Mr. Macky regretted that the gentleman who had appealed in support of the memorial had not been able to urge his cause in a more temperate manner. _ He (Mr. Macky) thought the petition required very senous consideration. He refen eel to the piety and Christian energy of Mr. Eccles. He advocated the ordination of Mr. Eccles for the district in which he was at present labsnriiig, and expressed his belief that such ordination would not be used as a precedent. After speaking at some length, Mr. Macky proposed a resolution to the effect that the absence of classical and scientific education ought not to be a bar to the admission of a candidate to the ministry, where he was otherwise qualified ; and that a deputation of three members of the Presbytery be appointed to examine into the circumstances of the district. — After a few remarks from the Key. Moderator, Mr. McKinney disapproved of the resolution as to dispensing with scientific and classical knowledge, and remarked that as a Presbytery they had no definite knowledge of Mr. Eccles's fitness for the work of the ministry. — The following resolution was ultimately adopted on the motion of Mr. Bruce : — "That the Presbytery, while strongly impressed with the importance of upholding the standard of education required of candidates for the ministry, and of refusing in any ease to depart from it on light grounds, are nevertheless of opinion that a deficiency in classical and scientific acquirements does not necessarily disqualify for this sacred office a candidate eminently endowed with gifts of grace, nor justify the Presbytery in refusing their sanction to one who, they have reason to believe, is approved of God and acceptable to the people. That Mr. C. E,ocles, by his labours as an evangelist in connection with this Presbytery for the last seven years, has given very assuring evidence of his piety, devotedness, and usefulness ; and, as has been testified "by the memorial, so recommended himself to the affectionate esteem /md confidence of the people of those districts that a large proportion of them have expressed an earnest desire to have him for their minister ; and that the Presbytery, believing that it would be for the glory of God and the promotion of the interests of true religion that such a desire should be complied with, in so far as is consistent with the maintenance of due order, resolve to appoint a deputation, consisting of three of their number, to visit the districts, and to ascertain still further the views of memorialists, and of all others concerned ; and, further, that in the event of the report of the deputation being favourable, the Presbytery shall proceed to take Mr. Eccles on trial for license, with a view to his ordination, with as little delay as possible, to the pastoral charge o£ those districts. The deputation to consist of the Moderator, Mr. Mackay, and Mr. Thompson. " Onehunga. — The Rev. J. Brown reminded the Presbytery that he had resigned the charge of Onehunga. — The resignation was accepted. Baptismal Records. — The report nf the Committee on Baptismal Records was brought up, and some other unimportant matters were disposed of. Waikato astd Opotiki. — Mr. Bruce laid documents and letters before the Presbytery showing the want of Gospel ministration in these districts. — Mr. Macky moved that Mr. Bruce be requested to lay the documents before the Churches at home, with the view of procuring assistance in. the way of additional ministers. He thought, also, that more oare ought to be exercised in the selection of men physically qualified for the arduous duties of the colony. After some further discussion, the Presbytery rose at 20 minutes past 4 o'clock,