THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 13 November 1902, Page 6

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

THIRD DAY. The first business to-day was of a most appreciable nature. No sooner had the minufes been confirmed than the Moderator "announced that he had just received a letter from Messrs. Young and Tripe, solicitors, stating that under the will of the late Mrs. Jesse Tutchen they had instructions to convey to the Trustees of the Theological Hall in Otago a freehold property situate at the junction of Pirie and Tutchen streets, Wellington, and asking for information as to who the Trustees were. Mr. Aitken said the property was worth fully £600, and was gradually becoming more valuable. The Moderator voiced the appreciation of the Assembly on. the accession of the property, and said that the late Mrs. Tutchen had a nephew who was a minister of the church, and had been trained in the Otago institution.' Mrs. Tutchen had been a member of St. Andrew's congregation. ■A delegate 'announced that Mr. J. Adam, of Otago, had that day stated that he was prepared to give the Assembly a. farm of 114 acres on the Tokomairiro Plains as a donation, towards a bursary. The announcement was received with applause, and the Rev. J. Gibb moved that the thanks of the Assembly be conveyed to Mr. Adam for his valuable gift, and humorously expressed the hope that Mr. Adams's example would be followed by other farmers or others. The motion was carried with applause. AN APPEAL FROM TIMARU. The Assembly then took into consideration an appeal from a number of Presbyterians in Timaru against the action of the Timaru Assembly in refusing to sanction the erection of a new church on the ground that the site selected was too near to that on which Trinity Church stands. The Rev. ■J. Cummin g* , read all the documents appertaining to the- question on both sides. The petition, which was read, was signed by 228 members and 141 adherents. After considerable discussion, it was decided, on the motion of the Rev. J. Gibb, to go on with the appeal first and consider the petition later. The parties to the appeal were then brought in, and Mr. M'Bride, representing the petitioners, gtive a statement dealing with the case. The Rev. R. Jackson also spoke in support of the petitioner for the new site. The Fey. A. B. Todd then appeared on behalf of -the Timaru Presbytery. The Rev. A. S. Morrison (Waimate) also spoke on behalf of the Presbytery of Timaru. The Assembly adjourned till 3 p.m.

Some time ago the Missionary Guild of St. Peter's parish promised to pay the stipend of a Maori missionary. It was mainly with this object in view that a sale of work Was opened in the large schoolroom this afternoon by the Rev. \\ r . C. Waters. The hall had been largely transformed with the aid of many willing hands, and the tables were filled with the customary display of articles both useful and ornamental. The stalls were presided over by Mesdames Ander- ' son, Wilberfoss, Tripe, Wilson, and Richards, and Misses Millward, Macgregor, Haybittle, and Hales. An attractive entertainment has been prepared for to-night, and will include the staging of the comedy "Mrs. Willis's Will." The Presbyterian General Assembly Arrangements committee have arranged", as elsewhsre notified, for a- picnic for the membei-s of the Assembly and friends to be held to-morrow afternoon at Day's Bay. The s.s. Duchess will leave the ferry wharf at 2.15 p.m. Afternoon tea will be provided. The Lieclertafel's usual practice on Friw d«^ evening is postponed this week* J