WANGANUI DISTRICT METHO DIST SYNOD.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 281, 5 December 1907, Page 5

WANGANUI DISTRICT METHO DIST SYNOD.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The members of the Wanganui District Synod met in pastoral session yesterday in the Congregational School-room (kindly lent for the occasion), under the presidency of the Rev. T. G. Brooke, of New Plymouth. There were presentßevs. D. McNicholl, T. G. Carr, T. G. Hammond, J. W. Worboys, S. J. Gibson, J. G. Chapman, P. T. Read, C. E.. Beecroft, H. Beggs, W. S. Bowie, W. J. Oxbrow, E. D. Patchett, A. J. Reed, F. Copeland, H. A. J. Keck, W. H. E. Abbey, W. B. Scott, R. T. P. Haddon. Also the following home missionaries—Messrs J. H. White, F. Martin, C. L. Garr, J. Beeche, O. A. Stewart. After singing and reading of Scripture, the Revs. J. J. Lewis and T. G. Carr led the meeting in prayerThe chairmen welcomed the brethren jvho were present for the first time, and on the motion of the Rev. J. J. Lewis letters of sympathy were directed to be sent to the Revs. W. Cannell and T. G. Harper, supernumaries, who were unable to be present through ill-health. The following officers were elected: —Secretary, Rev. H-Beggs; assistant secretaries, Revs, W. S. Bowie and A. J. Reed; journal secretary, Rev. E. D. Patchett; reporter to local papers, Rev. F. T. Read; reporter to Outlook. Rev. S. J. Gibson. The hours of session were fixed as follows:—Morning, 980 to 12.80, afternoon, 2.30 to 5.30; evening,

Rev. A. J. Reed, who has completed his period of probation, was unanimously recommended to be received into full connexion at the ensuing conference, subject to his written examination being satisfactory. Rev. F. Copeland, a third year probationer. was unanimously recommended to pass in his year. Revs. W. H. E. Abbey, H. A. G. Keck, and W. B. Scott, probationers of the first year, were also recommended to pass on to the second year, subject to their written examinations being satisfactory.

On the motion of the Rev. T. G. Hammond, seconded by the Rev. R. T. P. Haddon, Tupito Maruera was recommended as a candidate for the native ministry, he to be sent to Three Kings College for training. The Synod opened in financial session in the afternoon at two o'clock, the Rev. T. G. Brooke presiding. In addition to the ministers and missionaries, the following laymen were present Messrs T. West (Waitara), S. Burgess and H. Thomson (Stratford), C. W. Hooker (New Plymouth), J. Bennett (Inglewood), E. Dixon and L. S. Barraclough (Hawera), T. P. Haghson (Cape Egmont), R. Gibson and G. J. Bridge (Kaponga), T. Masters (Sandon), W. T. Bowater and J. Brent (Feilding), T. R. Hodder and G. Bennett (Palmerston North), C. E. Darvil and M. J. Hider. A letter of sympathy was directed to be sent to Mr G. Watson, of Eltham, who was prevented from attending through severe illness. After discaisson on the question of what circuits are obliged to provide for a married minister at the ensuing conference, it was decided that Aromoho and Eltham be recommended for relief for another year.

On the motion of Mr Bennett it was resolved to recommend conference to appoint a probationer as third minister in the Palmerston North circuit with a suitable grant.

Satisfaction was expressed at the work done on the Main Trunk Line dnring the past year and the re-ap-pointment was recommended. It was also decided to recommend the appointment of a saddle-bag missionary to North Taranaki. CHURCH PROPERTY. The report was presented by Mr T. W. Bowater, Feilding, and contained the following itoms. A new church had been erected at Pohangina at a cost of £216, the debt being only £40. A new school at Rongotea by the removal and alteration of the chnrch at Taikorea. Three new parsonages had been secured at New Plymouth, Inglewood and Eaponga. The cost of these amounted to £2016 15s 6d and the debt remaining to £1700. The church at Raetihi had been added to, a porch costing £17 10s being erected. At Wanganui a pipe organ had been purchased at a cost of £590, and an organ loft built costing £153 16s Id, only a small debt remaining. At Feilding a new organ had been ordered to cost £300. In the district there are 55 churches providing 9170 sittings and 12 schoolrooms accommodating 2480 scholars, and 20 parsonages, the cost of erection being £7471. The amount of insurance on all buildings amounts to £22,850, while the total debts amount to £2,141 19s Od.

On the motion of Mr Bennett the best thanks of the Synod were tendered to Mr Bowater for his labours

and tho conference re-appointed liim.

THREE KINGS COLLEGE.

An interesting report was received from the Rev. J. H. Simmonds showing that 25 native boys were in residence, two of them looking forward to the Christian ministry.

The Rev. T. G. Hammond moved, and Mr Bennett seconded, That 'in the opinion of this Synod it is important that first consideration bo given to the education of men for the native ministry as being in agreement wich the original intention of the deed. This was carried unanimously.