WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10598, 6 March 1895, Page 5

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

1 [Per Press Association.! NELSON, March 5. Afc Monday’s sitting, the Rev H. Bull presented the report of the committee on higher education; dealing with the establishment of Prince Albert College, Auckland. The report was adopted. A long discussion ensued on the appointment of the principal of the Three Kings Institution, the committee submitting the names of the Revs W. Gifctos, J. H. Simmonds and Josiah Ward for ballot, but the conference had to consider how the appointment of either would affect the other departments. The discussion was adjourned. Last evening the Eev W. A. Sinclair, formerly of Canterbury, waa received into full connexion. To-day the conference granted leave to the Eev Nowbold to visit England, and to the Eevs W, S. Lee and J. J. Lewis leave to visit England in 1896. The case of the Eev L, M. Isifct for the same leave was deferred for further information. It waa decided to appoint Messrs Ashcroft and Loehore students to circuits and to continue Messrs Chappelle and Smith in further training. Five candidates for the ministry are before the Conference. The vote for the appointment of the Principal of the Three Kings institution waa taken by ballot, when the Rev J. H. Simmonds was elected. Thanks were accorded certain gentlemen in Auckland for providing scholarships at the Prince Albert College. Applications for relief from responsibilities in providing for married ministers were received from Tauranga, Wellington (third man), Hastings and St Albans. These were granted, Wellington and Hastings being required to pay special amounts to the Home Mission Fund. Special representations from Whangarai, Richmond and Gisborne were considered, but the requests were declined. It waa decided to appoint a minister to the Freeman’s Bay Mission. A special session was held -this evening to consider the question of Methodist union, when there-was a large attendance of members and the general public, who evinced great interest. The Eev W. Moriey explained the resolutions passed at the last general conference in Adelaida. The Eev J. J. Lewis moved a resolution—- “ That information having been received that the United Methodist Free Church and the Bible Christian Church have accepted the basis of union adopted at the last general conference, and that their quarterly meetings, by large majorities, concur in that proposal, this conference espressos its readiness to enter into such a muon, and remits the arrangement of details to a committee to be appointed.” Other resolutions were moved having regard to the work of the committee. A farther resolution was moved, “That on receiving notice from the Bible Christian Conference in England of its willingness that the church should enter iato the union, and the Federal Council concurring, it is hereby resolved that tho union shall take effect at and from the second Monday in April, 1896.” A discussion followed in which tho Eevs Lee, Baumbsr, Rishworth and Mr Moxham took part, but,the debate was not ffnished, and will bo resumed tomorrow.