PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 14, 18 January 1910, Page 4

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

• [BT TEtEGBAPH — PSE33 ASSOCIATION.] TIMARU, 17th January. The Primitive Methodist Conference decided to take no action in regard to the suggested grant of £50 towards the payment of expenses of New Zealand delegates to the English Conference, the circuits having voted against such a grant. A report dealing with church membership showed that this now stands at 3164, an increase of 170 for the year. Strong objection was taken to tjie action of the Building Committee in selling a 4ft right-of-way at Foxton without consulting the conference. The objection was based on the ground that the right-of-way would facilitate the business of a billiard saloon on an adjoining section. The question of the sale of Timaru church property and the removal of the church at Richmond, Auckland, was referred to a committee , The loan fund showed a balance of £75, advances during the year having amounted to £200 and repayments £228. The Jubilee Loan Fund stands at £1485. The report oa church properties showed the number of churches to be 77 X valued at £51,500 ; houses 44, valued at £23,400; musical instruments £3000; land not built upon, £5400; present debt, £520,800, paid off during year £1100; gross inoome, £6747; expenditure, £6482. The report of the Publishing Committee showed that a profit of £66 was made during the year on the church paper, The Primitive Methodist. It was said this was the only denominational paper which had been made to pay. The Examining Committee reported that all candidates had passed as follow :— Revs. H. Daniel, H. White, E. A. Armstrong, fourth year; Revs. H. Daniel, N. B. Carlisle, F. A. Thompson, third year; Revs. F. A. Thompson, A. J. Pavis, second year ; Revs. H. Cottom, E. Bandy, J. B. Suckling, A. H. Fowles, first year. Messrs. A. 0. Harris and H. A. Sharp have passed the candidates' examination and become ministers in the first year of probation. To-night a musical festival was held in connection with the conference.