METHODIST CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16491, 5 March 1914, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

FIRST LIST OF STATIONS. [Per PREri Association.] DUNEDIN, March 4. At the Methodist Conference the following first list of stations was presented to-day:— AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Auckland Central—Revs C. H. Laws, O. C. Harrison, J. B. Suckling, H. A Sharp; supernumeraries, Revs J. S. Smalley, J.'Thomas and O. Griffin. Auckland AVest—Revs A. C. Lawry, W. A. Burley, one wanted. Auckland East—Revs George Bond, E. P. Blamires and G. B. Hintou; supernumeraries, Revs J. Smith, H. P. Dewsbury. Wesley Training College, Three Kings—Rev Joseph H. Simmonds (principal). Home Mission Fund—Rev T. G. Brooke (organising secretary). Theological Institution —Rev C. H. Garland (principal). Avondale —Revs A. B. Chappell and R. B. Goswell, and a homo missionary; sirpernumarary, Rev J. Blight. Auckland Methodist Mission—Revs N. Turner and J. Wilson (without pastoral charge). North Shore—Revs G. H. Mann and a home missionary; supernumeraries, Revs J. S. Rishworth and D. M’Nicoll. Birkenhead —Rev T. F. Jones; supernumerary, Rev J. D. Jory. Onehunga—Rev J. Dukes. Otahuhu —Rev J. E. Parsons. Papakura—Rev W. S. Potter.. Franklin—Rev G. Frost (two wanted). Mahurangi—Rev C. A. Sims. Paparoa— Rev \V. W; Avery. Northern Wairoa —Rev W.' H. Speer and a home missionary. Whangarei—Rev T. R. B. AVoolloxall. Port Albert—One wanted. Northern Maori Mission —Revs Hapeta Renata, Davis Willox, Piripi Rakena, Te Tuhi Herctini and Eru te Tuhi; supernumerary, Rev William Gittos. Coromandel, Helen sville, Bay of Islands, Rawene, Kohukohu, Wha 11gar oa, Mangonui and Hikurangi— Home missionaries. SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Thamos—Revs G. W. J. Spencer and H. O. Orchard. Upper Thames—Revs T. N. Griffin and P. R. Paris. Waihi —Rev T. G. Carr. Paeroa—Rev W. Lee. Cambridge—Rev T. Trestrail and a home missionary. Hamilton —Rgys J. Wrigley and J. Clover. Huntly—Rev’M. J. Evans. Rotorua —Rev H. T. Peat. Tauranga—Rev J. Richards. Opotiki —Rev W. A. Watson. Te Kuiti —Rev P. Barney, Taumarunui —One wanted; supernumerary, Rev J. J. Pendrav. Te Awamutu—Rev J. Olphert. Wajmana, Te Puke. Matamata, Ohura, Ngaruawahia —Home missionaries. TARA N A KI-W A NG ANUI DISTRICT. New Plymouth—Rovs J. A. Luxford and C. H. Olds, and a home missionary; supernumerary, Rev W. Camwcll. Waitara—Rev J. N. Griffin. Inglewood—Rev J. Fcatherston. Stratford—Revs A. Reader and A. O. Harris. Eltham —Rev • H. White. Hawera—Rev ■E. 0. Blamires. Manaia—Rev W. Rowe. Cape EgmiontRev R. B. Tinsley, and a home missionary. East Egraont—One wanted, and a home missionary. Kaponga— Rev F. Rands. Wanganui—Rev H. L. Blamires and E. Bandy, and a home missionary. Aramoho—Rev W. B. Scott. Rangitikei—Rev R. P. Keall. Taihape—Rev C. B. Jordon. Waimarino—Rev A. A. Bensley. West Coast Maori Mission—Revs T. G. Hammond and Tahu Potiki (Haddon), and two home missionaries and a Maori deaconess; supernumerary, Rev Hamiora Kingi, and one wanted. North Taranaki—Rev Miti Wata, and home missionary. HAWKE’S BAY—MANAWATU DISTRICT.

Napier—Rev T. R. Richards and f home missionary. Hastings—Rev T. J. Mollis. Gisborne —Rev R. Raine and one wanted. Waipawa—Rev A. Harding. Dannevirke —Rev J. A. Hosking. Woodville—Rev E. Abernethy. Pahiatua—Rev R. Richards. Palmerston North (Broad Street) — Revs L. W. Boys and O. Burnet. Palmerston North (Cuba Street) —Rev J. H. Naslam. Feilding—Revs D. J. Murray and T. Coatedwortli; and one wanted; supernumerary, Rev P. W. Jones. Sanson and Rongotea—Rev J. J. Mather. Foxton—Rev J. Binning and a home missionary. i Kimbolton and Norsewood—Home missionaries.

WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Wellington (Taranaki Street)—Rev J. G. Chapman and a .home missionary; supernumerary, Rev H. B. Redstone. Wellington Central Mission — Rev G. K. Smith. Wellington (Thorndon) —Revs G. S. Cook and P. J. Cossum; supernumeraries, Revs W. H. Beck and John Dawson (who is permitted to act as secretary to the New Zealand Alliance). Johnsonville— Revs S. H. D. Peryman and J. H. Cable. Hutt—Rev W. Beckett; supernumerary, Rev S. J. Garlick. Petone —Rev J J. Lewis; supernumerary, Rev W. 'Kirk. South Wairarapa— Rev A. Hopper. Carterton —Rev C. H. Standage. Masterton—Rev S. J. Serpell, ana a home missionary. Eketahuna—Rev A. M’Bean. Levin and Otaki—Revs W. H. E. Abbey and H. Cotton. NELSON DISTRICT. Nelsou—Rev William Baumber. Richmond —Rev C. Eaton, and a home missionary. Blenheim—Revs B. F. Rothwell and W. G. Maslin, and a home missionary. Hokitika —Rev O. Roberts. Greymouth-lßev A. Ashcroft. Motiieka —RevC. A. Foston. Reefton—Rev R. Wilson. Westport —Rev E. T. Box. Denmston—A home missionary. Granity—A homo missionary. Havelock —A probationer wanted. Murchison, Runanga, and Tapawera—Home missionaries.

NORTH CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Christchurch:—Durham Street Mission—Rev P. N. Knight; supernumerary, Rev H. Bull. Connexional secretary—Rev Samuel Lawry. Christchurch Central Mission —Rev J. Cocker, Christchurch East—Rev S. A. Sinclair A. Liversedge, F- T. Harris and a home missionary; supernumeraries, Revs W. C. Oliver, R. Taylor, J. N. Butler and L. Hudson. Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch—Rev B. Metson; supernumerary, Rev C. E. Ward. Woolston—Rev W. Laycock; supernumeraries, Revs W. Lee and W: J. Williams. Sydenham—Rev A. N. Scotter. Addington—Rev T. W. Vealie and a home missionary. St Albans—Revs H. E. Bellhouse and L. B. Neale; supernumerary, Rev T. Fee. Papanui—Rev A. Peters. Lyttabon —Rev A. Mitchell. Springston—R):v C. Penney. Tai Tapu—Rev H. Ranston. Leeston —Rev W. Grigg. Kaiapoi—Rev P. W. Fairclough. Ohoka— Rev J. F. Martin. Rangiora—RevS. W. Wills and J. R. Clark. Greendale and Malvern—Rev J. Harris and a home missionary. Amberley and Oxford— Home missionaries. SOUTH CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Timoru, Bank Street —Revs T. A. Joughin and J. R. Sullivan. Timaru, Woodlands Stleet—Rev R. J. Liddell. Waimato—Revs G. F. Stockwell and C. L. Carr. Tennika, Main StreetRev J. Guy. Tomuka, Denmark Street—One wanted. Geraldine—Rev B. Dudley. Ashburton—.Revs W. J. Elliott.and J. D. M’Arthur. Willoughby—Rev W. J. Oxbrow. Oamaru—Rev I J. A. Lochore. Methren and Mayfield | —Home missionaries. '- ‘ - •■'•'<'■ OTAGO DISTRICT.

Dunedin, Trinity—" Rev W. A. Hay ; supernumeraries, Revs F. W. Isitt and J. Newbold; R. H. Wylie (resting). Dunedin Central Mission—Lev W. Slade; Rev W. Walker as supply. Dunedin, Dundas Street—Revs T. A. Pybus

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON’S BUSINESS. At the Methodist Conference this afternoon it was decided that the Wellington South Circuit should be relieved of a probationer, and that the staff should consist of two married ministers.

It was resolved that the second, minister in Blenheim circuit should be stationed at Tuamarina, and that the circuit officials should be asked to consider the matter of engaging a probationer for Picton.

The Rev C. Griffin requested that his status be dated from 1876. This was granted. The Rev S. Griffith presented the report of the Deaconesses Committee. Sister Mabel was cordially thanked for her devoted work as superintendent of the Deaconesses Institution, and regret was expressed at her retirement. Sister Grace, from England, was appointed to take charge of the institution. Regret was expressed at tho resignation of Sisters Kenneth and Lilian through ill-health. Reports were received from the committees on temperance and public morals. Resolutions were adopted in regard to Sabbath observance, the liquor problem and industrial unrest, and it was resolved to express regret that the Government did not afford an opportunity last session for amending the three-fifths provision of the licensing law, and to ask that steps be taken to have the proposed Bill passed into law as early as possible. The gambling question was considered and a resolution was adopted condemning the totalisator and deprecating the recent attempt to increase the number of totalisator permits. The report of the committee on the balance-sheet was adopted, and the financial statements of various connexional funds were approved.

The secretary of the connexional fire insurance office presented his report, which was received. It showed tlie capital of the fund to be £6398, after, deducting £IOOO voted towards the supernumerary fund on account of ex-Primitive Methodist ministers. The original guarantors of the fund were released from all liability, in view of the satisfactory growth of capital. The Conference dealt with tho question of the welfare of the church. The Rev S. Griffith led the discussion and many members gave personal testimony of the good results of the mission of inspiration and appeal.

DURHAM STREET CIRCUIT, CHRISTCHURCH. [From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, March 4,

At the Methodist Conference this’ morning, with the Rev S. J. Serpell (president) in the chair, the first station sheet was presented by the secretary, after which, in order to clear the way for its reception, the ex-president, Mr Lawry, moved that the Durham Street circuit, Christchurch, be made a mission, with a view of enabling the Conference to appoint the Rev C. H. Laws, 8.A., there next year. . He stated that Mr Laws had been no party to the circuit memorial to the Cohference, a copy of which he read. The quarterly meeting: vote in relation to the desire to retain Mr, Laws had been a unanimous one.

Mr Hodgson opposed the proposition, as tho circuit steward of the Auckland Central circuit, which had given a. hearty and unanimous invitation to Mr Laws, and which the latter had accepted. He emphasised the claims of Auckland. The Rev C. H. Laws then made a statement, in which he affirmed that his personal relations with the invitation from Auckland were unchanged, and he stood by the promise he had made.

The Rev G. Bond declared that sentimentally he was ill favour of the expresident’s motion, but his judgment demanded that his vote be cast in the opposite way. If Durham Street was to be made a mission simply to, obtain a special appointment, then any circuit might move in the same direction, and there would be no end to it. The Hon G. J. Smith, M.L.0., affirmed that all the previous speakers had said applied equally to Durham Street. If anything the needs of Christchurch were greater than Auckland’s.

i The Rev W. Ready expressed regret that this matter had been brought before the Conference. He was sure that no place in the dominion could be more easily worked than Durham Street. The quarterly meeting invitation was constitutionally given and honourably accepted by Mr Laws, and should be upheld by the Conference. Mr J. A. Flesher said the matter resolved itself into the question, “Where could Mr Laws best serve the connexion? At Durham Street the problem to be solved was, unique. A good work had begun there and Mr Laws ought to remain.

Mr J. Veal hoped that the Auckland invitation would be honoured. Mr J. Stanton called attention to the- wording of the book of laws, and as according to his view that book would not allow of the suggested appointment, lie asked for the ruling of the President as to whether the laws were still in force. .

The Rev S. La wry stated that the case of Gisborne referred to was not on all fours with Durham Street. Every invitation was given and received subject to the confirmation of the Conference. He was sure tho itinerary would never be destroyed by the Conference attending to tho needs of special cases. On being put to the Conference the proposition to make Durham Street a mission was negatived, the voting being 52 in favour, 98 against. DEACONESS INSTITUTION. The report- of the Deaconess Committee was introduced by the Rev S. Griffiths. He referred to the sickness of .Sister Mabel, who had been obliged to resign from the charge of the Deaconess house in Christchurch. Largely through the assistance of the Wesleyan Deaconess Institute, in. England, Sister Edith Crump had been obtained to take up the work of lady superintendent. Tho p,ev S. La wry emphasised the connexional aspect of this appointment. Sister Grace, having been introduced, thanked the. Conference for the reception accorded to her. She gave a resume of the work done by mission sisters in England, and suggested that tho difficulty of sending agents to the small centres of population in New Zealand might be met by sending sisters to each work, with a group of townships. She praised the good work done by Sister Mabel. Sister Grace is a. ready fluent speaker. She

and H. L. Richards. Dunedin, Cargill ) lias had twelve years experience and Road—Rev F. T. Read. St Ivilda— her presence and lniluence will asRev A J Seamer. Kew—Revs E. aurally. soon be felt in philanthropic Drake and F. Frost. Mornington, Rev ; work in Christchurch. W. Greenslade. Roslyn—Rev J. T. J A very hearty vote of thanks for Pinfold Mosgiel—Rev C. Blair. Port services rendered was given the secreCh aimers—Rev G. T. Marshall. Wai- I tary, the, Rev S. Griffith. The comkouaiti and Palmerston—Rev H. mittee was also thanked and reDaniel and a home missionary. Bal- appointed, clutha—Rev B. J. James; a probation- IN MEMORIAM. er wanted. Milton —Rev D. Patchett. , Part of the evening session was Roxburgh—Rev A. Allen. Lawrence spent in reading the obituary notices and Cromwell—Homo missionaries. 0 f the following' ministers who had Queenstown —Vacant. j died during the year: Revs C. E. BeeSOUTHLAND DISTRICT. j croft, William Tinsley, and Barton H. Invercargill, Leet Street-Revs W. . Gin ? er - . an 'T sp , oke °, f t j le il life and Ready and J. B. Lawrence. Inver- of dead and of the many cargill, Don Street-Revs S. Hender- transformed lives that were now being son and A. H. Fowles. Invercargill, ' vod dominion as the result of Elies Road—Rev J. P. Hunt. Bluff— | tll6ir efforts - Rev E. Joseph Sharp. Gere—Rev M. A. Rugby Pratt. Otautau —Rev Samuel Bailey and ,a home missionary. Edendale —Rev G. Clements. South Island Maori Mission—Rev N. H. Papakakura. Riverton, Winton and Tu.atnpere—Home missionaries

FOREIGN MISSION FINANCE

A PROPOSAL LOST.

By Telegraph—Preßs Association—Copyright. \ SYDNEY. March 4.

The Methodist Conference rejected a proposal for the formation of a limited company to finance foreign missions, and decided to ask the Australian and Now Zealand Conferences to arrange for guarantors for a proportion of the amount guaranteed, each Conference to be responsible for the amount allotted it.