METHODIST CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 51, 1 March 1921, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH

CONFERENCE CONTINTJED

FIRST READING OF STATIONS.

The Methodist Conference continued yesterday.

The P»ev. J. Haslain presented the report of the Board ot Examiners, which dealt with the appointment of examiners for 1921 aud the revision of the curriculum and other details. The report with amendments was adopted.

The Secretary of the Conference, before presenting the first reading, moved the following recommendations, which were agreed to: H. Benny be appointed to a circuit; A. N. Costain to be readmitted to the ministry; Rev. R. B. Gosuell to be a gupernumerai'y for another year; Rev. J. Guy and Rev, Dr. Pinfold to become supernumeraries. The rest of the morning was taken up with discussion of first reading of stations, details of which follow :—

Auckland District, —Auckland Central, P. N. Knight, 8.A., H. Eanston, M.A., F. Copeland, and W. A. Sinclair (F.M. Secretary); Auckland West, -J. H. Has lam and T. Coatsworth; Auckland East, J. A. Lochore, J; E. Parsons, and W. G. Slnde; Principal, Theological College, C. H. Laws, B.A. s Principal, Tlyee Kings College, J. H. Simraonds; Home Mission Secretary, T. G. Brooke; Avondale, W. A. Burley, M.A., and W. T. Blight; Ancklatid Methodist Mission, F. L. Frost; Dsvoiiport, E. P. Blamires; Takapuna, T. E. B. Woolloxall: Birkenhead, P. J. Cooke; Onehunga, J. Wrigley; Otahuhu, H. L. Richards; Pa-pakura, G. B. Hinton; Pukekohe, J. Olphcrt; Waiuku, J. W. Griffin; Mahurangi, one wanted; Paparoa, 0. H. Kendon; Northern Wairoa, J. Southern; Whangarei, W. H. Speer; Maori Mission Superintendent, A. J. Seamer. South Auckland District.—Thames, A. Mitchell; TeAroba, A, Hopper, one wanted; Momnsviile, H. Cottom; Wailn, F. Greenwood; Paeroa. W- J. Enticott; Cambridge, J. D. M'Arthur; Hamilton, ■E. O. Blamrres, E. T. Olds, two wanted; Rotorua. P. Battey; Ta-uranga, V. S. Mercer; Opotiki, W. Gatman; Te Kmti, J. Dennis;. King Country Rural Mission, H. White; Te Awamutu, S. Hendorson; Whakatane, one wanted; Matamata, A. B. Jefferson. . Taranaki (Wanganui dif*rict).—New Plymouth, W. J., Elliotfc and J. F. Martin; Waitara, F. B. Lawrence; Inglewood, A. Harding; Stratford, L. B. Neale ; EMiam, J. A. Hoaking; Hawera. A. Liversedge; Manaia,, H. J. Udell ; Cape Egmont, one wanted; Kaponga, W. W. Avery; Wanganui, W. Grigg (President of the Conference), two wanted; Wanganui North, B. Dudley, F.E.A.S.'; Eangitikei,' H. T. Peat; Taihape, W. Lea; Wairoarino, W. S. Neal; • Nbrmanby, R. T. P. Haddon. • Hawkes Bay (Manawatu district).— Napier T. E. Richards; Hastings, A. M'Bean; Gisbome, E. T. Cox. M.A.; Waipawa, W. S, Neal; Dannevirke, J. Richards; Woodvifle, W. Wills; Pahiatua E. B. Chambers; Palmerston North, G. S. Cook, one wanted; Palmerston North (Cuba-street), A. Ashcroft; Feilding, G. F. Stockwdl-j Sanson and Rongotea, N. Turner; Foxtan, A. J. L. Mmifio,. . 'Wellington District.—TaranaJu-street, H E. Bellhpuse; Central Mission, G. &. Smith; Thorndon, C. C. Harrison and G. ■E--Brown; Wellington South, E. Drake and J. T. Pinfold, D.D.; Kilbirme, 1«. T Read; Johnsonville, S. J. Werren; Hutt, W. Rowe; Petone, C. Blair; South Wairarapa, A. N. Costain; Carterton, S H. D. Peryman; Masterton, J. Cocker; Eketahuna, J. W. Parker; Levin, G. Frost; Otaki, J. R. Nelson. Nelson District.—Nelson, H. L. Blamires ; Richmond, B, P. Keall; Blenheim, W Greenslade and T. Dent; Hokrtika-, one wanted; Greymouth, B. Meteon; Reefton, W.B. Pickering; Westport, W. A. Watson. ' North Canterbury District.—.Durhamstreet, W. Beady; Connexional secretary, S. Lawry; Sunday school and young people's department, C. H. Olds, 8.A.; general secretary Centenary Fund, A. C. Lawry. Christchurch East, E. D. Patohett, W. Walker, and W. Abbey; Cambridge-terrace, J. Harris; Woolston, W. Beckett; Sydenham, P. R. Paris; Aldington, R. B. Tinsley; Riccarton, 'A" H. Fowles; Christchurch (St. Alban's), J. Napier Milne and H. Ford ; Papanui, T. A. Jouhin ; Lyttelton, S. Bailey; Springstou, H. Ryan; Tai Ta.pu, J. B. Clark; Leeston, W- Laycock; Kampoi, W. B. Scott; Ohoka, C. Roberts; Rangiora, A. N. Septter, 8.A., F. and T. Harris; Greendaie and Malvern, F. E. Leadley- t South Canterbury District.—Tiinara, W. A. Hay, A. 0. Ham's, aiid H. Bonny; Watmate, T. J. Wallis; Temuka, C. B. Jordan B.A. : Geraldine, J. Featherston; Ariiburton, T. W. Vealie j Willowby, Pv. J. Liddell; Oamaxu, A. Reader. Otago, Southta-nd District.— Dtmedin (Trinity), M. A. Pi. Pratt; Central Mission, 0. Eaton; Dundas-street, W. J. Oxbrow; Cargill-road, R. Raine; St. Kilda, B. Metson; Oaversham, G. P. Hunt; Mornington, B. V. RothweU; Roslyn, T. A. Pybus; Port Chalmers. G. Clement; Waikouaiti, 0. Burnet; Balclu(iha, C. A. Foston; Milton, H. Daniel: Roxburgh, W. PI. Hocking; Invercaargill (Central), H. A. Sharp; lavercarrfll (St. Pet«r'B), P. J. Cossum; Bluff, T. Skuee; Gore, F, J. Parker; Otautau, R. Riohards.

WORK OF INSTFTUTIQNS.

Ab the afternoon session the Rev. J, A. Lochore submitted Jtbe reports of the Committee of Management of the Theolo? gical CoUege. Mr. G. A. Buttle presented the balance-sheet. The conference carried a congratulatory motion thanking the Rev. C. H. Laws and Mrs, Laws for their work in connection with the college. Sir. G. A.. Buttle, .Rev. T. F. Jones, and Mr. A.- Peak were thanked, for their cervices. Some discussion tools» place on tho obtaining of a site for the erection of a Theological College. After the Principal (Rev v C. H. La,-WB, 8.A.) had explained the situation the conference expressed'its approval of the action of the committee negotiating fpr a site situated in Grafton-road, Auckland. Tho report of the Deaconess' Institution was presented. IVfrs. Bowie has done splendid work as lady superintendent. There are six probationers in residence, two of whom have work among the Maoris in view. Bach is diligent in her studies and gives promise of future usefulness. Five appointments of deaconesses had been made since the last conference.

Rev. W. Beckett, who. is secretary of the institution, was thanked for his 6eryiee3 aud reappointed. The Deaconess's Betiring Fund scheme was referred to the Supernumerary Fund Committee lor consideration.

The reports of the North and South Island Orphanages were received and adopted. There are now 80 children in residence in Imth orphanages. The oflipjals were heartily thanked by the conference.

A report was received in connection with ths progress 1-of' the erection of the Orphanage at jVlasterton. The shortage of cement accounted for the delay in completing the work. Before' the reading' of stations was presented tho following locwnmenda I■tions were iidopterl :—(if That the Rev. H. Bonny be appointed to :i circuit; (2) Mint the Rev. : \. N\ Cnslnin he readmitUid to' tiie miiiieLry : (3) that B. O-oineU- ho a eupsnumwMy for one 'yearj (4) that, the Rev. J. C. Chapman

be a. supernumerary for another year; j and (5) that the Revs. J. Guy ana Dr. Pinfold become supernumerariesTbe report of tho Board of Examiners, presented by the R«v. J. H. Haslam, dealing with tho appointment of examiners for 1921, and recommendi-Tig' certain alterations of detail in examination regulations, was adopted. ■ THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. The re-ijorts of the Committee of Management of the Theological College were submitted by the R.ev. J. A. Lochovo and the balajwo-sheet by Mr. C A. Buttle.—Adopted.. The Rev.' C. H. Laws and Mrs. Laws wave thanked for their management of the college during tho year, and Mt. G. A. Buttle, Mr. A. Peak, and the Rev. T. F. Jones were thanked for services rendered. . Some discussion took place on the obtaining of a site for the erection of a Theological College. After tire principal (tho Kiev. C. H. Laws, 8.A.) had explained the situation, the conference expressed its approval of fche action of the coramibtee negotiating for a • site situated in Graf tort-road, Auckland. deaconesses; institution. The adaption of the committee's report on the Deaconesses' Institution, was carried.. Mi's. Bowi©, it was stated, has done splendid work ; . as lody superintendent. Six deaconesses are at present in residience in the ti'aining home, and five appointments have been made to circuits during tho year. Tho claims of the Maoris upon tlie services of the deacohfifises weie stressed, and one deaconess was appointed to this work. The funds of th© institution had been greatly helped by some generous contributions obtained m GhTistchiirch. Tine Rev. W. Beckett was heartily thanked for his services as secretary, and was reappointed. The deaconesses' .retiring .fund* scheme was referred to the supernumerary fund committee for consideration. ORPHANAGES ; The reports of tho North and South Island Orphanages (at Auckland and Christchorch) were received arid adopted. ' There were eighty children .in residence in both orphanages. The officials were heartily thanked* by ths conference. A report was Tecedved in ooimectdoni with the progress of the erection of tho orphanage at Masterton.' The shorting© of oenuent, it was stated, accounted for the delay in completing the work. CHTJROH PROPERTIES. A report on the church ■ building and' loan fund, was presented by the Rev. S. Lawry (connexionai secretary). The trust accounts of the connection show an incoitte, of £80,492, and an oxpendStuva of £69,696. Di&bit balances, carried forward totalled £8134; but credit balances reached a total of £10,796. There was a considerable reduction in church debts in some circuits amounting: to over £11,000; wnilo the increase in oburcli dietots in other circuits amounted, to £5600. New loans advanced Jjttring the year totaled £4020. The report was considered highly satisfactory, and adopted. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to all the Secretaries of church properties in the various districts, in-' eluding a special vote to Mr. C. E. Salt'er, of Ohrietclnmch, who had been compelled to retire, through sickness, after, many years, of splendid service. At the evening session, it was recommended that a grant be made from the Church. Building and Loan Fund to secure a church site at Miramait The report of the Fire Insurance Fund, was presented by tho Rev. S. Lawry.- ; . It showed that the year was the most successful in the history of the fund. The year's income' totalled £2105 and expenues £560. The accumulated funds stood at £12,771. New risks had been accepted during the year totalling • £46,765. The report was adopted, and the' Rev. S. Lawry commended for his excellent work. Rev. G. Bond presented the balance-sheet of the Home Mission Fund. The. capital account totalled close on £10,000. The current account showed income as follows:—Auckland district, £1799 9s lOd; South Auckland district, £459 13s 3d; Taranaki-Wanganui district, £370 5s 7d; Hawkes Bay-Manawatu, £680 2s Id; Wellington district, £668 0s 9d; Nelson district, £428 18s lid; North Canterbury district, £1177 3s Id ; South j Canterbury district, £4-75 7s 6d; OtagoSouthland district, £671 18s lid.' • In-' terest on investments and other income, j including the credit balance from last year, brought the total income up to £10,578 15s sd. Expenditure totalled £9555 10s , leaving a credit" of £1023 53 sd. This proved to be a record year, the announcement of which was received witli applause. Tho estimated income for 1921 totalled £10,859, and' the estimated expenditure £10,831. Rev. T. G. Brooke (general secretary) and Rev. G. Bond (general treasurer) were thanked by the conference for their work during the year. The conference discussed at length the Church's Home Mission policy, and the improving of the machinery of the fund. The call for men for the work of tho Christian ministry was stressed by Rev. T. G. Brooke. He felt that the continued repetition of. "one wanted" in station sheets had been detrimental to the best interests of the chnrch. The shortage of men had compelled the chnrch to send men into the work without the needed special training. He appealed to the church to provide men for the work of the ministry.