OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13667, 8 September 1916, Page 4

OAMARU PRESBYTERY.

DESIGNATION OF BEY, THOMAS NEAVE. The Oamaru Presbytery mot in luuic effeetum at St,, Paul's Hall yesterday, morning. In tlio absence of,the Moderator (Rev. H. Gilbert) ,on military duty,, the Rev. .G. W. Iluiit' presided. There were present: Rotfl S. P. Hunter,' J. L. Robinson, 11. T, Blair P. C. Ronnie, T. Neave, and W. Nieliol (clerk), ami Messrs J. D, Giant, R, Brown, W. Needs, .T, A, Ross and J. McGimpsey, rulino . Elders. Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. CI. H. Gilbert and Mr John Henderson (cider). After devotional" exercises the clerk read the resignation of the Rev. Tlios. Noave and on the motion of the clerk seconded by Rev, S. l'\ Hunter it was agreed that ,MV Neave's lettor be re-' corded on the minutes of the Presbytery. The following were the commissioners appointed from Knrow in connection witli the resignation: Messrs James McGimpsey, Win: Milne, Robert Stetviirt, Tlios. Anderson, James Barclay, Win.' Barclay, Norman Hayes, Frank Gorrigal, Geo, Grant, Robt, W. Tro.tter, James Thomson, Archibald Mclniiis,' Andrew Waugh, T. A, Munro, and Win. Warwick. ,'Messrs McGimpsey, Trotter, Thomson, Anderson and Hayes spoke fin behalf (tt'.r thecommissioners, voicing the' regard for and esteem in which Mr Neave was held in the Kurow parish, Ilie admiration of the people for the way in which lie had maintained, under i trying circumstances, the services at lha different eenlm and. regret at the prospect of his early departure from amongst. them. The Rev. T. Neave, who spoke with emotion, said he could add little to .wliht was contained in his previous statement and the statement of his letters to the Presbytery, He appreciated what the commissioners had said regarding his work. He did not agree that the parish was a back-blocks place; rather was it the very "Switzerland" of New Zealand. He referred to-the-possibilities of the district,, and said he agreed that a young and energetic man could do better work for the ■parish, He felt ■ after fifty-five years in,active ministry, thirty of which had ' been spent in New Zealand, he had done liis;(lay's work, and during that time lie had riot been laid aside for more than six weeks altogether. Tie appreciated the kindness of the parishioners,' who had reciprocated.,his interest in! them, He laid the work down with . certain regrets, but hoped that being relieved ofithe arduous 'labours of regular services, he would still be able to assist by occasional services and tluis maintain his connection with the church., The Rev. P. 0. Rfinnie then led the Presbytery in prayer. /.. » The Rev. W, Nichol referred to his •lOiig association witlv Mr Neave in the Presbytery <of Oamaru, which had been of ithe most cordial nature, He re- , gretted the prospect of Mr'Neave's retirement from .the active work of -the church, but lioped his period of retirement would be ricli with divine blessing, He moved that the resignation be accepted with c'xtreme regret, that it take effect as from the last Sunday of October, lie'further moved that the resignation be intimated to the Assembly with the request that Mr Neave iie given the status of minister emeritus, with a seat in the Presbytery, Synod and Assembly and that Mr Neave's ; case be commended to the managers of the. Church Bonoficiary Fund, with a recommendation that he,should participate therein. The motion also pro-, vklcd for the appointment, of the Rev, • A, Sangstor as interim moderator of the Knrow charge. . Rev. P. C. Rennie seconded the motion and reiterated the feeling'of regret

at the resignation of Mr Neave, He had knowirhim for a period of over eight , years amMmd invariably found him a thorough Christian gentleman. Referring to Mr Nenve's work lie snid.he.np- • preciated tho difficulties of a wide •parish anil the amount ol! travel necessitated in visitation of members,, " He wished for Mr Neave abundant blessing • in- his period of retirement, ,-The Bev. J. L, Bobinson said he heard with pleasure the expressions of love and esleeni for Mr Neave made by his friends in tho Presbytery, While there wore regrets such a resignation the occasion was also one for eongratn- , la'tion for it was the lot of few men to enjoy over fifty years of work in the ordained ministry. lie shared 'witli

others the wish for Mr Neave for many years of richly blessed eventide. The' Revs 11. T. Blair, S. E. Hunter, and G. W. Hunt spoke in like, terms, all expressing their cordial, rpgard, for Mr Neave, and wishes for an enjoyable ■ evcuing-tinie. of life. | The motion was' carried unanimously. The\Rcvs. W. Niehol and P. C. Bentiic were appointed to draw tip a minute With reference ,to Mr Neave's ministry and report to next meeting of the Presbytery. The Rev. J. L. Robinson intimated that the plans in connection with the Columba new manse were not. ready for presentation'and asked the indulgence of the Presbytery thai the matter be deferred to next meeting, ami the Presbytery consented. The Presbytery then adjourned to meet at. 2,110 p.m. at the Weston Church to induct the liev. Alexander Watson to the charge of Weston-Totara.