METHODISM

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 49, 26 February 1917, Page 2

METHODISM

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The business sessions of the Methodist Conference were resumed at the Taranakistreet Wesley Church to-day, the Rev. W- A. Sinclair presiding. .

. Messrs. T. Dent {Avondale) and J. R. Nelson (Tiraaru) were admitted as ministerial candidates, the former as a theological student and the latter as a probationer, s The status of the Ashburton circuit'was discussed at length in committee, and it I was eventually decided that, without altering the status in any way, a married home missionary be appointed,in place of a married ;minister. The following circuits, being due to take a- married minister,' were relieved for another year: Auckland East, Paeroa, Opotiki, Taihape, Waimarino, St. Albaus, Timaru, and Punedin (Dim'das-street). It was recommended that the following circuits should take married men in place of probationary ministers: (1) Invercargill (Teviot-street), (2) Manaia, (3) Rptprua, (4) Taurangaj in that order. Each circuit had make the necessary partial provision. The matter was referred back to the committee for further consideration.

It was agreed, not'to alter for the present the state of the Foxtou circuit.

THE SUPERNUMERARY' LISTS.

The following are to continue on the permanent supernumerary list:—Revs. John Dumbell, William Cannell, 'John Smith, William Lee, John S.'Rishworth, Robert Taylor, William C. Oliver, Henry Bull, David MNicoll, Joseph S.'Smalley, William H. Beck, Charles' E. Ward, William J. .' Williams, George Bond, Thomas Q. Carr, Henry R. Dewsbury, Charles H. Standage, John Nixon, James Thomas, John D. Jory, Samuel J. Garlick, Cornelius Griffin, Peter W. Jones, Thomas Fee, George W. J. Spence, Joseph J. Mather, and Hamioia Itingi (Native Supernumerary). ' Revs. Joseph Blight and George T. Marshall were placed on the supernumerary -list for another year. '

Ministers added to tHa supernumerary list were:-^-Revs. Thomas W. Newbold (permanently) and James Clover. ' Owing to "shortage of men the Rev. Christopher Abernethy withdrew his application to'be placed on superannuation. He was specially commended 3by the president : "That is a most patriotic action," he stated. FOREIGN MISSION. Accounts in connection with the Foreign Mission. Work were received .and adopted. .They showed that the income on the general account had been £§521, which was considered very satisfactory) especially in these times of war. The figures were a substantial advance on I those of la-si year. The matter of' New Zealand taking over a separate mission district in the Pacific was deferred owing to the war. Conference unanimously appointed the president (Rev. W. A. i Sinclair) as organising secretary for Foreign Missions in New Zealand, the work to be taken up in the year 1919. ' ' ' ALTERATIONS TO CIRCUITS, Consideration ,was given to several alterations and additions to various, districts or circuits. These were dealt with as follow : — . Bay of Islands.-—On account of the rapid growth of the district between Kawakawa- and Hokianga, some rearrangement of. boundaries was made, and 3'l agent is to be placed at Kaikphe, and a suitable grant made. - ;. ..Addington and 'Papanui.—Riecarton Village and Masham were taken from the Papanui circuit'and attached to the Aldington circuit, and a married Home Missionary is to be appointed to the; Adding? ton circuit to work these two places with Clarence-road. , ... . ■ Dundas-street Circuit.—Glenavon anclits agent a>"e to be transferred to Trinity circuit, Dundas-street circuit to consist of Dpndas-street and Ravensbourne, with pne married minister. '. . RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED. The following recommendations were approved : — North .jShore.—That conference be urged to give special attention to the application for a probationer to reside at Takapuna, which is now repeated and approved,. ' . ■ :

New Plymouth.—That the .needs pfthe circuit make it. imperative that a Home Missionary be appointed, as provided in the list of stations oE last Conference.

Wellington South.—That a Home Missionary be. appointed.

Whakatane.—rThat ail ordained minister be stationed at Whakatane instead of a Home Missionary, with a grant of £200, and that the stipend be not lejss than £200. ■

Masterton.—The' Wellingfon ; Synqd urges that a probationer or Home Missiojiary. be appointed to the Masterton circuif/to work Kuripuni. ...

Waimate.—That no second agent be appointed this year.