OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2371, 11 December 1879, Page 2

OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

The annual mooting of the Presbytery was hold in St. Paul's Ohurch yesterday. The following members wore present : Revs. J. Ryley (moderator), Christie, A. B. Todd, Sommors (Qampden), Otiristio (Waikoualti), Cameron (Wainrekn), Stephen (Papakaio), Christie (Palmerston), and Messrs Oliver (Otepopo), and W. Smith (VVaikouaiti). Tho meeeting opened with devotional exercises. The minutes of previous mootings were read and conßrmed. A letter was read from Mr Gilbert, Waitaki Missionary, regarding several matters in connection with the mission, and regretting that a minister had been uunblo to vUit the district. The Rev. Mr Todd reported that he had, with a view to see whether the mission could bo erected into a separate charge, sent subscription lists to the district, and so far about L 173 had been guaranteed, but calculating tho amounts likoly to be received from other places, no return from which had been sent in, the total would bo about L2OO. This was only a rough estimate, however, as the population was a very fluctuating one. He also road a letter from Mr Chapman, of Kurow, who, writing tho opinions of a number of the inhabitants, said they were afraid of getting a resident minister in tho present dull times, although ho thought such an appointment was urgently required. Ho (the speaker) therefore thought that the district should be erected into a sanctioned charge, with either Mr Cameron or Mr Sto yon, moderator. Ho moved to that effect. The Rev. Mr Christie seconded tho motion. The Rev. Mr Camoron questioned whether, in the present backward state of the district, it would not be bettor to leave it under a missionary. There was no centre of population in which to form a congregation, and it would bo very uphill work for any man to undertake. With regard to the Amount of subscriptions promised, he thought, speaking from experience, that the amount would fall below what had been promised. He did not like to undertake the responsibility of moving an amendment, but he thought it would bo bettor not to erect it into a oharge at present. The Rev. Mr Todd said there were a large number of members of the Church in the district, and hel thought if a minister were appointed that a good congregation might be raisod in Duntroon. Several other members spoke of tho distriot as a most necessitous one. The Rev. J. Steven suggested that an ordained missionary should be appointed. He moved as an amendment that they should ask the Synod to erect it into a missionary oharge. The amendment not finding a seconder lapsed, and the motion was carried. Messrs J. A. Taylor, J. B. Balfour, W. Bain, Hutchinson, and Oliver wore appointed a committee for Duntroon in connection with tho Upper Waitaki. It was decided to intimate to tho missionary now engaged in the Upper Waitaki district that his services would be dispensed with in two month* from date, and that tho Rev. J. Steven should proceed to tho distriot to explain the determination of tho Presbytery, and to endeavor to raise funds. Mr J. Wood was recognisod as a ministor residing within tho bounds of the Presbytery. A letter was read from the Rev. W. Will, East Taiori, regarding the erection of a charge on the goldfiolds, and it was resolved to inform Mr Will that steps had already been taken in the matter. The Rev. Mr Todd thought application should be sent to tho Church Extension Committee to sond a minister to tho Upper Waitaki at tho termination of tho engagement with tho present missionary. An application for consent to a grant for manso repairs was read from tho Roy. M. Smith, Nasoby. It was agrood to ask for furthor details and «ootider tho matter at the Synod. After some further business of a routine nature tho Prosbytery, after agreeing to moot at Otepopo on tho second Wednesday in March, adjourned in the usual manner.