WANGANUI DISTRICT METHODIST SYNOD.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 282, 6 December 1907, Page 5

WANGANUI DISTRICT METHODIST SYNOD.

The Synod met in pastoral session at 9 o'clock yesterday morning, the Rev T. G. Brooke presiding.

After a hymn had been snng and a passage of Scripture read, the Rev. T. G. Hammond led the Synod in prayer. A report was received from the Rev. J. H. Simmonds dealing with the present arrangements of tiaining students for the ministry. Considerable discussion ensued; two schemes were brought before the Synod but were rejected. Ultimately the following resolution was passed : "That we as a Synod express our dissatisfaction \VS4h the inadequate and unworthy arrangements made for the training of our students for the ministry, and that we urge the conference speedily to effect a change in this respect." Messrs M. J. Martin, Main Trunk Line; J. B. Beeche, Wainnrino, J. F. Hilder, Taihape, wore recommended to the conference for training, subject to their medical certificates being satisfactory. The Synod went into financial session at 10.15, Mr Laybourne offering prayer. ...... A. vote being taken for the position of representative to conference, the Rev. 0. E. Beecroft was elected, with the Rev. J. G. Chapman substitute. GAMING AND LOTTERIES ACT. On the motion of the Rev. T. G. Carr, the Synod resolved, "That we as a Synod express our gratification that the Premier has kept faith with the community iu the recent legislation entitled the Gaming and Lotteries Act, but althought his Act possesses many excellent features we would express our regret that the totalisator and bookmakers are still licensed by Government, which thus puts its imprimatur on a vice that is so destructive of the moral senie of the community.'' FOREIGN MISSIONS. While the reports from the circuits were incomplete there was every prospect of the amount raised last year being excoeded. Tho Synod expressed its appreciation of the Rev. R. Laverty's work as foreign mission deputation in the district, and requested the Foreign Mission secretary to arrange with the Mission Board, if possible, for the appointment of the Rev. W. E. Bromilow as deputation for next year. On the motion of the Rev. T. G. Hammond, it was resolved that in future arrangements more attention be given to the smaller out-stations. A vote of thanks was passed to President Slade for his splendid services in forming Ladies' Foreign Mission auxilaries. A letter was received from President Slade asking that the members should co-operate with the movement to recognise the valuable serI vices rendered for 47 years by Dr. George Brown. Mr E. Dixon was elected secretary and treasurer of the fund for the Wanganui district. One shilling subscription is being i solicited in every circuit. HOME MISSIONS. The following grants were recommended to the conference: — Native minister: Increase of salary to £160, with travelling allowance of £20. Home mission stations: Patea £25, Kimbolton £20, Taumarauui £50, Main Trunk Line £130, North Taranaki £150. Aided circuits with home missionaries: Cape Egmont (Rahotu) £50, Taihape, for Maogaweka, £30. Aided circuit: Wai tara £40, Stratford £40 ou condition of salary being raised to £180, Eltham £25, Palmerston North £50 providing a probationer be appointed, Waimarino £50 if probationer be appointed. The chairman presented the report of the Grey Institute, which showed that owing to the decliue of lancl values the trustees were only able to vote £100 to the Home Mission Fund. The balance sheet of the Kai Iwi estate presented by the Rev. J. G. Chapman also showed that £100 was voted to the Home Mission Fund. The Revs. T. G. Hammond and R. Haddon gave an acount of the present state of the Maori work after which the Synod passed the following resolutions:— "That the attention of the forthcoming conference be called to the importance of dealing effectively with our West Coast Maori work at this time." "That the time has fully come when an attempt shonld be made to constitute our Maori work in the Dominion into a separate Synod." THE "OUTLOOK." On the motion of the Rev. J. W. Worboys it was resolved "That Conference be urged to make arrangements to discontinue the present connection with the "Outlook" and start a paper suitable to our own church, at the close of the present contract." SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The report of the Conference committee on Sunday School affairs was received. It was resolved "That the thanks of this Synod be accorded to Mr A. Reed, Dunedin, for the way in which he has carried out the duties of the Sunday School department of the connexion."

GENERAL RETURNS. The Rev. T. G. Oarr presented the statistical returns which were as follows:—s2 churches, 63 other preaching places, 14 schoolrooms, 15 parsonages, 19 ministers, 6 home missionaries, 108 local preachers, 10 class leaders, 2,085 church members, 271 junior members, 11 deaths, 9,057 attendants on public worship, 53 schools, 3088 scholars, 272 teachers, 4 414 volumes in school libraries. VOTES OF THANKS.

Hearty votes of thanks accorded to the chairman for his work in the district during the year and for the able manner in*which he had presided over the sessions of the Synod; to the secretary and his assistants and reporters. Special thanks was also given to the officers of the Congregational Church for the use of the building for the sessions of the Synod; to the hosts and hostesses for their kind entertainment ; and to the Press for the full reports given to the business of the Synod.

It was resolved that the next Synod be held at New Plymouth. The journal was signed at 9.30 last evening and a very successful and profitable synod brought to a close by the Rev. J. J. Lewis offering prayer and the chairman pronpuuoing the benediction.