METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 56, 8 March 1915, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE

BUSINESS AT ANNUAL SESSION. (BT TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ' CHEISTCHUHCH, 6th March. , The annual conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand resumed to-day. , The second reading of the stations was proceeded with, and several alterations having been made since the first list was presented, it was decided that the list lie on the table until Monday morning, when it will be adopted finally. Sister Grace Crump, in charge of the Christchurch Deaconesses' Home, said that she felt quite sure that there was work for deaconesses in New Zealand. If the Methodist Church concentrated all its women's work in one department it would prove in years to come of great benefit to the Methodist Church. The present trouble was to get sufficient workers, but with a concentration of effort 'more results would accrue. The money invested in this work would bring in- a richf harvest.' The report of the Methodist Deaconesses' Institution Committee was adopted, and a vote of thanks was accorded to Sister Grace Crump. The report of the North Island Orphanage Committee was adopted. Tn moving its adoption, the Rev. C. H. Garland stated that the Church had at Mount Albert, Auckland, a magnificent orphanage of two and a-half acres, given by two anonymous donors. House alterations at' an expense of £200 had also been made, mainly at the expense of the donors.' Furniture, costing between £200 and £250, had been given by the Methodists of Auckland. The orphanage was under the successful managership of the Eev. J. and Mrs. Bligh. The report of the South Island Orphanage, opened at Panaui in April last, stated that there were now thirteen inmates — nine boys and four girls. Mr. W. H. Seed stated that the credit balance in connection with the orphanage wa-s £431 Is 6d, and the balance of assets over liabilities £1859 7s 3d. Mr. W. Ballantyne, in memory of the late Mr. John Ballantyne, had given £100 to the orphanage in order to maintain a cot and clothe a child for all time, and the Misses Ballantyne had given a like amount for a like purpose in memory of their mother, Mrs. Sarah A. Ballantyne. The report was adopted. An address of congratulation was presented to the Rev. Dr. Brown upon the centenary of the Church in Australia. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. A. H. Sherris for his excellent foreign, mission work, extending over a number of years. The report of the board of management of the Supernumerary Fund stated that practically all the matters which a. ' year ago were reported to be in dispute I between the board of management and the Australasian board of treasurers had been settled. The New Zealand board had conceded the point so strongly insisted on by the Australasian board as to Ihe date of the division of funds. The total amount of capital transferred from Australia to New Zealand up to 31st December, 1914, was £52,770 14s lOd. and approximately the sum of £9240 remained at that date with the Australasian treasurers. Some 6mall adjustments had to be arranged before the final settlement could be made, but these would not make any material difference in the amount of capital due to the New Zealand fund. The report, with sundry amendments, was adopted.