WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE,

Marlborough Express, Volume VIII, Issue 484, 22 March 1873, Page 6

WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE,

Thh Conference recently held m Sydney is the last on the old plan. For seventeen years the Australasian Conference has been held m towns m Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Tasmania. This arrangement involved considerable expense and loss of time to the New Zealand Wesleyan Church, besides of necessity a very limited representation m the Conference. From nearly all the circuits of New Zealand, resolutions were last year forwarded to the Conference praying for the formation of Colonial Conferences. By a large majority it was carried, and the matter submitted for the approval of the British Conferende. By a large majority it was carried, and -the matter submitted for the approval of the British ' Conference. So tar from any opposition to the' 'scheme being offered, a representative, the Rev. Mr Boyce, first President of the Australasian Conference m 1855, was deputed 1o attend the recent Sydney Conference on behalf of the parent Missionary Society m Londoitto assist m the completion of the required arrange* meuts.

The Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church has about 300 ministers. It will henceforth be divided into four Conferences, viz. : — lst, N«w South Wales and Queensland Conference, which will include the South Sea Missions ; 2nd, Victoria and Tasmania Conference ; 3rd, South Australia Conference ; and 4th, New Zealand Conference ; with which' there are connected 50 European and 5 Maori Assistant Ministers. These Conferences will meet annually, and will be comprised m, and governed by a General Conference, which will hold its session once every three years. The first New Zealand Conference will commence its session m Christchurch on Wednesday, the 28th of January, 1874.