METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE

PROPOSED THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. (IT lEIEfIRAP».—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN. 26th February. The Methodist Conference was continued this afternoon. The Rev. Dr. C. H. Laws, 8.A., was accorded tho best thanks of the conference for his. able address on the occasion of the ordination of. five young ministers on Sunday afterrloon. Dr. Laws was also appointed representative to the Methodist . Conference of the Homeland, for which he leaves shortly.

The Rev. T. G. Brooke was appoint'' ed to act on the stationing committee in place of Dr. Laws.

Support in. connection with the Deaconess Institute was advocated by Sister Ruth, the woman superintendent. The proposals cover the removal of the institute to more central and convenient premises in Latimer square, Ohristchurch.

Theological College affairs were reported upon by the principal, Rev. Dr. Laws. Provision is to be made for a college chapel (Graiton Road Church, Auckland, to be used for thl3 purpose) on the principal's return from England ; also a Sunday school in connection with the college, classes to be taken by students. Large and liberal proposals were submitted with a view £o making the classes serve students, local preachers, home missionaries, and candidates for the ministry. A scheme involving the raising of from £20,000 to £25,000 was outlined. Important changes were necessitated, and the Rev. Dr. H. Ranstone, M.A., is to be set apart as tutor to the college. Dr. Ranstone's attainments and tho distinction won by him in the department of original research were warmly eulogised by Dr. Laws. Over £3000 was reported as being in hand towards the cost of the new college. Legislation enabling the trustees to secure the freehold of the site in Grafton road, Auek^ land, had already been secured.

The balance-sheet of the home mission fund, presented by the' Rev. George Bond, showed a total expenditure of £11,221 16s 4d, the debit balance being £127. Revised estimates of income and expenditure for the current year disclosed an expected deficit of over £1500.

The report of the home mission department, as presented by the Rev. T. G. Brooke, organising secretary, was adopted. Important proposals in connection with the appointment of a successor to Mr. Brooke, who becomes a supernumerary next year, were- discussed at length, and adjourned till a later stage of the conference sessions. .. The report of the Board of the Wesley Training College was adopted:. The report recommended that the new principal should be chosen from the teaching profession, and gave power to the board to make the appointment. The conference carried a resolution expressing its admiration for the work done by the retiring principal, the Rev. J. H. Simmonds, over a period of many years.