MATAURA PRESBYTERY.

Mataura Ensign, 25 March 1914, Page 2

MATAURA PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary meeting of the Mataura ] Presbytery Tvas held in the vestry of the Gore Presbyterian Cirarch yester- < day, Uiere being present: Revs, E. A., Culliford (Moderator), W. F. Evan* (clerk), R. E. Evans, A. Hardie, I. Paulin, W. Haio, D. Maclennan, 'M.A., J. Clarke, D. Campbell, W. W. Brown J. Collie, J. M. Simpson, 8.A., and Messrs H. Brierley (missionary), G. Tait, A. J. Nichol, Robertson and Geo. Morrison. APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. The appointment of elders for the year was sustained as'follows: Riversdale, Mr Tait; Waikaka Valley, Mr G. Morrison; Waikaka, Mr Goo. Aitken; Waikaia, 'Mr J. McKenzie; Tapanui, Mr W. J. Stark: Crookston, Mr A. J. Nichol; Kelso, Mr McKie; Edendale, Mr Hall; Balfour, Mr Andrews; Wyndham, Mr Robertson. PRESBYTERIAL CERTIFICATES. Applications for Presbyterial certificates were made by Messrs E. K. Prebble (Knapdale) andC. Watt (Edendale), divinity students. Revs. A. Hardie and D. Maclennan spoke in support of the respective applications, and the certificates were granted. NEW. CHURCHES. The application for a grant for the erection of a new church at Tuturau was sustained. __ The application for a grant of £SOO for the new church at Tapanui was supported by Revs. J. Collie and T. Paulin, and it was resolved, "That the plans and specifications be approved by the Presbytery and the application for a grant ba sent on to the Synod with tihe the approval of the Presbytery." GORE CHURCH. The clerk was instructed to support the application of the Gore congregation to sell part of the manse glebe. VISITATION COMMITTEES.

The following visitation comraiittees •were approved of: Bplfour, Kiev. J. Olarke (convener), W. Hain, D. Caimp, hell and elders; Waikaka Valley, Bevs. J. M. Simpson (convener), W. Hain, B. E. Evans and elders; AVaikaka, Bevs. W. W. Brown (convener), T. Paulin, E. A. Guildford and Messrs A. J. Niohol and Geo. 'Morrison ; Kelso, Revs. J. Col- ' lie (convener), G. W. T. Hercus, W. F. Evana and elders from Crookston and Tapaaiui. I FUNDS FOB A BUBSABY. ' The Theological Oommititee asked the Presbytery to raise funds for a bursary vithin its bounds as a number of ap- i plications were being received from students' for help. On the motion of Bevs. W. F. Evans and J. M. Simpson I it was resolved: "That the matter be referred to the Finance Conunittee." MODEBATOB OF SYNOD. ! i Rev. J. M. Simpson moved: "That Rev. McDonald (Otauiau) be appointed '■ Moderator of the Synod." The motion ■was seconded by Rev. J. Oollie and car-, ried. I BTVEBSDALE SUSTENTATTON. j Regarding the Riversdale Sustonteition Fund, after some discussion and the proposing of several motions fit was decided, on the motion of Revs. J. Olarke and W. Hain, "That the rating of Riversdale be £ISO." SUSTENTATION, FUND. Bev. J. M. Simpson was appointed to represent the Presbytery on the Sustem. taroon Fund in place of Bev. A. Hardie (who is leaving the district). FINANCE. Bev. W. W. Brown reported on the finance and assessment of the Presbytery, and moved, "That tifoe assessment for the charges be 7s 6d for £SO for the ooming yealr." This was seconded by Rev. J. M. Simpson'and tarried. CLERK'S REMUNERATION. Rev. W. W. Brown moved that the clerk's remuneration be raised to £2o per annuim, and referred to the painstaking manner in which Bev. W. F. Evans had carried out his yrork. for which the present remuneration of £ls was 'insufficient. Bev. J. Collie seconded the motion. Rev... J. Olarke considered 'ffliat £ls i was 'sufficient, and stated that the-clerk ( of the Oamaru Presbytery Teceived only £6 per annum. Rev. W. F. Evans said that during the year they bad put through 17 meetings. He considered that no monetary value could he olaced upon the services of the clerk. The work lart yeatr had occupied over 50 days of his time. It interfered with tihe work of the parish, and if he could have devoted the time spent therein to reading it would have benefited him. He did not wish to see any alteration in the remuneration until October, when toe would prcbably resign from the office; but he considered that £25 was little enough ir-ec-ognition for tha amount of work tlhe clerkship entailed.

The motion] was then nut and carried. LAYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. A deputation consisting of Messrs W. Kirk, A. J. Nichol and Dickie, representing the Laymen's Association, waited upon the Presbytery to acquaint mew members with the objects of the association. In referring to the work of the asisociation Mr Kirk stated that the object of the organisation was to create an atmosphere of prayer and sympathy •with congregations. Messrs A. J. Niefhol and Dickie also spokfil on the work of the association. _ Eier. W. F. Evan- said the deputation could rest assw ,d that the Presbytery was in hearty sympathy with the moTement.

WORK IN NEW HEBRIDES. Bey. W. V. Milne was present and handed an his itinerary cf lectures on his work in the New Hebrides. Mr Milne will speak at the respective centres of the Presbytery in the order named: Mataura, Waiknia, Riversdale. Balfour, Waikaka, Goro, Knapdale, Tapanui, Dunrobin, Heriot, Kelso, Mataura, Edendale, Wyndham and Redan. WELFARE OF YOUTH UEPORT. Rev. R. B. jEvans reported that a meeting of the Committee of the Youth of the Church, had act been (held. In the matter of the Sunday-Schools conference hie purposed sending a circular letter to each, of the Sunday schools. The report was receiTed, and it was re.solved, "That ReT. J. M. Simpson's name Be added to the committee in I place ,df Rer. A. Hardie, who reodntlf recigned/'

CHURCH EXTENSION FUND. Rev. W. F. Evans (clerk) reported tfhat 'the Church Extension Committee had aot yet met. A 'letter was .read from Dr. Gibb in connection with home misison work to the church, whicli stated that nuany districts'were being starved through lack ai funds. Last year £5311 had been spent in carrying ,on the home mission work of the Church. To meet this the committee had received £2155, leaving a deficit of i£2885. The debt had been reduced as the result of an appeal for special donations and by legacies received. The Laymeirs Missionary Movement intonded next year to make a 'Special effort to raise a large sum as a ■capital fund. The writer asked that the whole, matter be laid before the Presbytery, and drew attention to a clause in the home mission regulations which read, "Every congregation, 'sfoall contribute it© the fund, and congregations -which pay their minister over £230 peryear with a manse—or an allowance in lieu of same—are expected in loyalty to the fund to contribute to ' it and to the Home Mission Fund not less -Whan one-third of the amount their minister receives over £230." Rev. W. F. Evans stated that the

Mataura Presbytery lhad cost the fund £79 in ,1909, £ls in 1910, £3 17s 4d in 1912, and in 1911 and 1913 respectively it had "contributed to t'ie fund £l2 and £6 12s. They were rMll considerably In ! debt to the fund. The grants received this year were ,as follows: Brydone £35, Mokoreta £-10, Waikawa £SO and Mendale £2O, a total of £145. The speaker explained that two collection's were made in 'his charge during the year, i one for (home, and one for foreign mis- . istions. He could not see how their obligations could bo fulfilled in collections. Rev. D. Mactennan movecL "That it , be a recommendation to every dharge k lacking an association for church exten- , sion work that a 'special collection be i made once a year, so that more interest ' may .be taken in the matter." Rev. J. M. iShnpson .seconded the motion, 'which was carried unanimously.

STATE OF RELIGION: ■j Bev. J. M. Simpson, 8.A., -reported 1 cm the Bible Cla?s movement -and stated that in this connecticn Mr Barton

Fraser (would visit Gore next month. He would like to «eo deputations presenst all the Bible Classes at the next meeting in order to get the work well under way. The speaker also expressed the hope that the ministers and elders would 'be represented at the meetings. i In connection with the Bible-iu-Schools movement Rev. J. M. Simpson said he would like to see prayer meet- . iiiigs established. He was satisfied thait all efforts would bo unavailing if ilhey ' were unaccompanied with prayer. As | regards Sabbath ohservanoe, he was 1 glad to state tfiiat the Sabhath was pretity generally observed at Gore, bmj> ; there was .still room for improvement l in this respect, more especially as regards Sunday visiting. OTHER REPORTS. I Bev. T. Paulin reported that the pro- ' spects were bright at Pukerau and they l hoped soon to effect a settlement in the charge. : The 'work in 'the Mokoreita charge was reported to be going on satisfactorily. The .tiiriber for the new manse was nl-

I'most all on the ground, and a suitable site ihad been procured. The building would cost £isl. which would entail a ! good deal of sacrifice and endeavor on , the part of the congregation. It was resolved, "That Bev. J. Clarke convey j't'he Presbytery's heartiest appreciation ■to hisl congregation for the manner in . which, it had faced the problem of ' I building Itliie new manse." Rev. G-.W. T. Hercus referred to the (recent -visit of 'Mr Cummings (evangeli ist, Oamaru) to the Tapanui district, , which had resulted in a great uplifting. , It had been .suggested by several that , it would result in much" good if the , Presbytery would engage Mr Cummin g» | for one year to labor within the bounds of the Ma'taura Presbytery. Bev. G. i W. T. Hercus moved and Rev. W. F. s Evans seconded, "That the matte* be . referred to the State of Religion Cam>- ; mittee to report to tlhe next meeting of s the Presbytery." -i Rev. J. , M". Simpson, 8.A., stated jthat though Mr Cummings was a good j preacher he was a free lance and was not officially a minister or a man orIdained in any way, and the matter > rihould therefore be left to individual ; congregations and sessions to deal'with. . I The motion was then put and carried. The Presbytery adjourned! with the . pronouncing of tihe Benediction by the 5 Moderator.