CHURCH OF SCOTLAND NELSON PRESBYTERY.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 October 1869, Page 5

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND NELSON PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery of Nelson met according to adjournment in Trinity Church, Nelson, on October 6, the Moderator, the Rev. P. Calder, in the chair. The credentials of the Rev. J. Bannatyne, who has lately arrived in this country with the view of taking charge of the district of Takaka, were laid on the table of the Presbytery, read, and found in due form, and Mr. Bannatyne being present was associated with the Presbytery for this meeting. The Presbytery resumed the consideration of the manner in which the appointment to Takaka had been made ; and on the motion of Rogerson (elder), the following resolution was agreed to, namely : —“ That the Presbytery will not in future recognise any appointment through the Church extension Committee to a ministerial charge within their bounds where the financial arrangements are not made in accordance with the laws of the Church.” The Clerk was instructed to transmit a copy of this minute :o the Convener of the Church Extension Committee. The Moderator laid on the table of the Presbytery a call from the congregation at Blenheim to the Rev. Mr. Sheriffs, minister 01 Riwaka..

Mr. James Gome (elder) appeared as the commissioner from the congregation, and stated that all the signatures attached to the call were those of bona fide members or adherents of the church in Blenheim. The Moderator craved permission to leave the chair, and, after making a few remarks, moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Rogerson, and unanimously agreed to, namely :—“ That the Presbytery sustain the call, reserving in the mean time the question of stipend, and resolve that the congregation at Riwaka be summoned to appear for their interests at next meeting of Presbytery, when the matter shall be finally disposed of.”

ITr. Calder reported that ho had received the sura of £291 13s. 6d. from the Nelson Trust Funds, as the portion falling to the Presbyterian Church at a late division of thd funds. Several applications in various forms word laid on the table from Blenheim, llhvaka, and Takaka. These having been road by the clerk and parties heard in support ofihem. Mr. Calder moved ;—“ That a committee lid appointed, consisting of all the members; of Presbytery, Cor the purpose of considering how to dispose of this money with the greatest advantage to the church. The committee to report to next diet of this meeting. The Moderator having resumed the chair, it Was moved by Mr. Sheriffs, and unanimously agreed to, “ That a committee Ire appointed to draw up a minute in reference to the loss sustained by the Prebytery in the death of Mr William Gardiner (elder) ; the committee to consist of the Moderator, Mr. Bannatyne, and Mr. Rogerson, the Moderator Convener, to report at next diet. The Presbytery then adjourned to meet again the same evening at half-past eight o'clock. f’he Presbytery having again met ill terms of adjournment. The committee anent the disposal of the Trust Funds reported that in the opinion of the committee the objects of the Trust Funds would be best secured by investing the money now received, and applying the interest to the augmentation of stipends in weak charges, and a layman should be appointed treasurer of the fund. On the motion of Mr. Sheriffs, seconded by Mr. Rogerson, the report of the committee was adopted, and Alexander Sclanders, F.sq., merchant. Nelson, appointed treasurer. On the motion of Mr. Rogerson, the Rev. M. Sheriffs was appointed an assessor to the session of the congregation of Nelson, to act in that session until such time us a sufficient number of eldei's can be secured.

Mr. Sheriffs was appointed to induct Mr. Bannatyne to the pastoral charge of the district of Takaka, on the first Sabbath of January. The Presbytery then adjourned to meet again on the second Wednesday of January.— Colonist.