METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 16051, 1 March 1916, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE

[SPECIAL TO THE •&TAB.'] AUCKLAND, March 1. The Methodist Conference opened yesterday morning with the vke-presideufc (Mr Winstone) as chairman. The Rev. S. Lawry presented the general report of Church, property. He i called attention to the superintendents sending in belated reports. Some districts had sent accounts inaccurately. Otago and Southland alone out of 10 districts wer,e,correct. Re St. Kilda and Anderson Bay,' permission was given to sell on the understanding that any debit would be raised. Mr Lawry hoped that the conference would stand by the' arrangement. The various district secretaries' of Church property were thanked for their services during the past year. Mr E. Roaevear is the Otago secretary. Several sites in various parts that are not being used and have little prospective value are to be sold by the-Loan and Building Fund Committee, to whom power to act was given. The conference directed that the foundations for alLbuildings be erected of either brick or concrete.

The report of the authorised representative and custodian of deeds was presented. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £5 17s Id. The Kai-Iwi trust property being under review, the interesting fact was disclosed that every connexional property must be g-uarded by the circuit superintendent in the circuit in which they are situated. The custodian of deeds (Rev. S. Lawry) asked all superintendents to assist in gathering all deeds, and whenever possible send them for enclosure in the connexional safe. ■

. The connexional fire insurance report disclosed that the assets of the fund are over £7,874, of which over £BO9 had been received as levies during the year. The station sheet was read "as prepared by the committee before the luncheon recess. " On resuming the secretary stated that there were four or five married ministers with 11 probationers short of the number required. The;trustees were exhorted to insure in the connexional offices. It was resolved—" That for the duration of the war (if not always) the doors of our churches stand'open every day." The conference decided to appoint in Auckland, Wellington, Cbristehiirch, and Dunedin. one person who shall watch the j Methodist interests in the leading daily papers and contribute articles and letters thereto.

_The report of the Dunedin Central Mission was received, as well as those of 'the other missions. A vote of thanks was passed re the good work -done by laymen and ministers in connection with the different missions. A conversation occurred on the composition of the Dunedin Central Mission Committee, as some representatives considered that to obtain the interests of all the circuits the committee should be inclusive of others than members of the circuit quarterly meeting. The Stationing Committee brontrht in "an amended sheet, and the first list was unanimously passed at 4.45. v An ordination service was held in the evening in the conference church. The ordination charge was delivered bv the ex-president (Rev. J. Dawson). There was a large attendance, and six voir.!" ministers were set anart for the'work of the ministry, Including Captain-chaplain fuillivan '(Timaru) and Cantain-chaplain Walker (late of the Central Mission, Dunedin).

[Pin United Press Association. 1

AUCKLAND, February 29. .The first reading of stations at the Methodist Conference was as follows: Hawke's B&y and Manawatu District. - Napier, Thcmas R-. Richards and a home missionary; Hastintrs, M. A. Rugby Pratt; Giebome, ,T. Olphert; Waipawu, Arthur Harding; Dannevirke, J. Dukes ; Wcodvill-a, Christopher Abemethy ; Pahiatua, H. Cottom; Polmerston North (Broac! street), Frederick W. Boys and a home mission.'j-y; Palmerston North (Cubastreet), Jonathan H. Haslam; Feilding. Daniel J. Murray and Thomas Coatsworth ; Sanson and Rongoic-a, R. P. Keal; Foxton, William Rowe and a home missionary ; Kimbolton, a. home missionary; NorsewoOd. a home missionary.

Wellington District.—Wellington (Taranaki street), James G Chapman,, a home missionary, and William Walker (chaplain to the forces at Trent-ham); Wellington Central Mission, 6/ Knowlesi Smith ; Wellington (Thorndon), A. Moss Reader and One wanted; Wellington South-, E. Drake and James Richards; Johnsonvftle, M. J. Evan?; and vine wanted; Hutt, William Beckett; Petone, Angus Bean : South Wairarapa, Leslie B. ISTeaJo and E. Warburton (supply) ; Carterton. Josiah Ward ; Masterton, J. A. Hosking and one wanted ; Eketahuna, C. Jordan; Levin, William H. E. Abbey ;/pfcaki,.H Wlute and a home missionary. ** ■ ' Nelson District.—\~4son, William Barnnbev; Richmond, Arthur Ashcroft and a home missionary; Blenheim, Benjamin P. Rothwell, Thomas R. B. WoollOxall. and a home missions ry; Hok'tika, Horace L. Richards; Greym'oHh, Ernest D. Patchett; Motueka. Charles A. Foston; Reefton, Charles Rennev ; Westport, Beniamm Dudley, F.R.A.S, North Canterbury District.—Christchurch (Durham street), Percy N. Knight; Christchurch Central Mission, (now known .as Durham Street South), N. Turner; Ch-fistchmch East, William A. Sinclair, Arthur Liversedge and a home missionary ; Chrietchurch (Cambridge Terrace), J. Cocker; Christ-church (Woolston), William Laycockj Chri«rteh«ch (Sydenham), Adolphus N. Scotter; Christchurch (Addirigton), Thomas' W. Vealie and a home missionary ; Christ-church (St. Albans), A. 0. Lawry and P. Battey; Christchurch (PajKinui), Alfred Peters; Lyttelton, S. H. D. Perriman; Sprincston," W. Bramwel! Scott; Tai Tapu, B. Nielson ; Leeston, William Grind and a home missionary ; Kaiapoi, P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S.; Olioka, J. F. Martin ; Rangiora, William Wills end James R. Clark; Greendale and Malvern, John Harris and a home missionary. South Canterbury District.-Tima.ru (Bank street), Thomas A. Joujhin and Robert B. Speirfc; Timaru (Woodlands street), Ralph J. Ltddell; Waimate. George P. Stockwell and one wanted; Teimika. (King street), A. Hopper; Geraldine, George P. Hunt; Ashbivrton, J. FrOst and On© wanted; Willowby, Walter J. Oxbrow. Otago District.—Dnnedin (Trinity), William A. Hay; Dunedin Central Mission, Clarence Eaton ; Dunedin (Dtindae street), Samuel Griffith; Dunedin (Cargill road), R. Raine; Dunedin (St. Kilda). J. Guy j DunediiL (Cavmham), J. D. M'Arthur and a home missionary; Dunedin (Mornington), William Greenslade; Dunedin (Roslyn), T. A. Pvbus; Mosgiel, James T. Pinfold; Port Chalmers, J. W. Griffin; Waikouait-i and Palmerston, Alefc. Allen and a homei. missionary; Balclutha, Benjamin J. James; Milton, J. Featherston; Roxburgh, one wanted. Southland District.—lnvereargill (Dee street), William Ready and one wanted ; i Intercargill (Don street), Samuel Henderson and one wanted; tnvercargill (El'.es road), George Clement; Bluff, Albert H. i Fowlers; Gore, W. Led; Otautau, Samuel Bailey; Edendale, Fred. L. Frost.