SCENES AT A MEETING OF THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3561, 7 December 1882, Page 4

SCENES AT A MEETING OF THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

(by telegraph.) Auckland, December 7. At a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery yesterday several letters from Kirk cessions •were read commenting upon the basis of the proposed union -with Otago. The general object was taken to request that Dunedin shall be the seat of a Supreme Court or Theological llall of the Church. After some discussion, the following motion, proposed by the Key. Mr Mackay, was carried : —" That union with the Church of Otago nnd Southland is desirable, and that the Presbytery believe the basis of union proposed by the Church of Otago and Southland, and amended by the committee of our General Assembly, to bo in the present circumstances a good and workable basis, and worthy of adoption by the Assembly." A letter from M. S. Breach) of T aranaki, ■was read and created a most exciting scene, during •which several reverend gentlemen waxed very warm, and as one speaker remarkeil "Such a disgraceful display was never before known in connection with their meetings." The latter stated that the writer, not being able to go to Auckland for various reasons, tendered his resignation as a member of the denomination. The Eer. Mr Mackay moved, and Mr Funciman seconded, " That the resignation or the Her. M. S. Breuch, in terms of his letter dated 30th October bo accepted, and that the Presbyter} , decide ho should be no longer a minister of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.' There being no amendment, this was put to the meeting and carried —it was thought unanimously, for no dissentient voice was heard. Immediately afterwards, however, Dr M'Leod rose and stated his determination to appeal. The Presbytery should have decided that the Bey. Mr Breach was no longer a member, and expressed dissatisfaction at his past conduct. A strange scene ensued, in which an attempt Mas made to call Dr M'Leod to order. The Eev. Mr Fraser moved and the Bey. Mr Monro seconded, that DrM'Leod's action was frivolous. After half-a-dozen other motions, and a few other petty quarrels had eventuated, and Dr M'Leod had expressed the opinion that he should be treated as a Scotchman and a Highlander, an inglishman and a Presbyterian, and not have his individual liberty infringed. The following motion by the Key. MiMason was put and carried by eight against five votes :—' That Dr M'Leod's appeal be dismissed on the ground that it is irregular. , Dr M'Leod said he would take good care to move an amendment another time. If not allowed to appeal to the General Assembly he would reach a higher court by petition, or other means, and he was determined to take some further steps in the matter. The Bey. Mr Runciman thought that as Dr M'Leod had lost his right to appeal through inadrertance he should now be given permission to do ?o, but he obtained no support from the other members, and the matter dropped.