PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 119, 15 November 1902, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

FIFTH DAY. The Assembly resumed at 10 o'clock this morning. The committee set up to give reasons for upholding the Moderator's ruling that the Rev. Wm. Gillies could not be heard concerning the petition of the Chalmers Church (Tiinaru) reported: The committee was unanimous in upholding the ruling of the Moderator, which was supported by the Assembly. The reasons were approved. The Dunedjn Presbytery presented a report on the supply of vacancies, the Rev. Wm. Hewitson reporting. The report had to do with duties of congregations with regard to filling vacant pulpits, and the committee set forth the mode of procedure to be observed in choosing a minister to fill the vacancy. The regulations were practically those observed by the Northern Church. Mr. Hewitson concluded by moving that the scheme contained in the report should be submitted to presbyteries for consideration, with requests to forward suggested improvements to the Dunedin Presbytery. The report and resolution were adopted. The report of the Dunedin Committee set up to consider a home mission scheme was presented. The report submitted regulations for the employment and training of home missionaries. The Rev. D. Borrie presented the report, and moved its adoption. It was decided that the Assembly should choose the home mis- ] sionaries, instead of the choice being left to the presbyteries and the Church Extension Committee. It was pointed out that the report's stipulation that home missioners should undergo a tnree years' course of training and examinations was a difficulty in the way of assisting churches in, newly -settled districts. To get over this difficulty, it was decided to give the Assembly power to make exemptions in regard to satisfactory missionaries who would or could not undertake examinations. The report was still under discussion when the Assembly adjourned at 1 o'clock. The members of the Assembly were entertained at Day's Bay this afternoon 'by the Presbyterians of Wellington. This evening Mr. Maugban Barnett is to give an organ recital in St. John's Church, and a united choir is -to render special music. On :\ioi.ddy eveuu.g, the Assembly is to take the report of the Foreign Mission Committee. Among the speakers upon foreign missions will be Miss Henderson (who is on furlough from' Madras, India), the Rev. A. Don (who conducts a Chinese mission in Dunedin), and Mr. W. Mawson, M.A., a New Zealand student, who has just been licensed preparatory to undertaking mission work in China. The tenth annual meeting of the Arawa Sailing Club was held in the Exchange Hall last night, Mr. F. W. Pctherick in the chair. The report and balancesheet weie adopted, also the recommendation that club racing for the coming season be held in abeyance. Officers were elected as follows: — Patron, Lord Ranfurly; Commodore, A. H. Turnbull (reelected) ; Vice-Commodore, J. D. M. Georgeson (re-elected) ; Rear-Commodore, R. C. Renner ; Committee, Messrs. W. Moore (re-elected),. E. Seagar, L. R. Barber, J. M'Keever, and F. W. Petherick (re-elected) ; Handicapper, F. W. Petherick (re-elected) ; Starter, Judge, and Timekeeper, L. Sargent; Measurers, R. W. A very and J. Moffatfc (both reelected) ; Auditors, J. M'Lean (reelected) and R. C. Renner ; Hon. Treasurer. T. T. Ballinger (re-elected).; Hon. Secretary, A. J. Petherick (re-elected). The prizes won during the season were presented by the Chairman, who complimented the winners on their success, and added that he hoped that racing would soon be resumed after the completion of tho new boat-harbour. Fqur ministers attending the Presbyterian General Assembly will speak briefly to-morrow evening at the Opera House meeting, beginning at 8.15. As each of the four has a personal knowledge of the Clutha, which is at the present a muchdebated district, and as they are all ardent no-license advocates, there will doubtless be a good attendance. Mr. A. C Bcgg, a well-known Dunedin resident, will preside, and the Alexander Mission Choir will lead the singing, the instrument being supplied by the Dresden Company. The s.s. Duchess will run excursions to Day's Bay to-morrow morning and afternoon, at the usual hours; and tho Countess will run to Seatoun. Tho late boat to tho Bay to-night will leave the Wharf at 10 p.m. Full time-table aopeare in this isswjj