MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2792, 9 January 1873, Page 3

MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY.

Thb quarterly meeting of the members of the Auckland Presbytery mas held at St. Andrew's Church yesterday. Present:—.Rev. T. Norrie (Moderator, pro tern.), Revs. R. F. Macnicol (Clerk), Bruce, Macky, McKenzie, Tait, Hill, Hamilton ; and Messrs. Whitson, Rattray, Thompson, and Sommerville (elders). —The Court hating been constituted by prayer, the Secretary read the minutes of last meeting, which were confirmed. Commissions.—The commissions in favour of Messrs. Whitson and Thompson were read, authorising them to represent the congregations of St. Andrew's and Otahuhu respectively, in the Presbytery for twelve months, as elders. Hew Mi>*istbb.—The Rev. D. Bruce introduced the Rev. Neil McCallum, lately arrived from Scotland.—His credentials were read, and he received the right hand of fellowship from the Moderator. Collections.—The Ministers of Papakura, Otahuhu, Onehunga, North Shore, Thames, St. Andrew's, and St. James' reported that they had made the stipulated collections for the Home Mission and Aged Ministers' Funds.—Some conversation took place in reference to the neglect of come of the congregations to make these collections.—Ultimately it was moved by the Rev. J. Macky, and agreed to, " That for the future, members who had omitted to make the collections, should be called upon to explain their reasons for not doing so." Matakana School Site.—A letter was read from Dr. Cruickshank on behalf of the School Committee, with reference to the above matter. The settlement of the question at issue had been previously referred from the Presbytery to the Matakana Church authorities. The letter stated that the writer wou'd have been better satisfied had the question been settled by the Presbytery, as the School Committee and Church authorities did not agree. Previous to the former application to the Court, everything had been done to come to a settlement in the matter, but without success. The question having been duly couBidered, the Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and to inform the writer that the Matakana Church authorities at Matakana would be again written to, for them to finally decide the question, the members of the Presbytery being ignorant Jof the merits of the case. Home Mission Committee.—The Rev. J. Macky proposed, " That the whole of the members of the Presbytery be ex officio members; and that Messrs. Clark, Brock, Stevenson, Peacock, J. Macky, Sibbin, M. Niccol, and W. Graham form the tfome Mission Committee." —This proposition was seconded by Mr. Rattray, and carried.—The Rev. Mr. Bruce was appointed conrenor, and the treasurer of the Presbytery treasurer to the Home Mission.—Mr. Brock was aleo re-appointed as secretary. Clebx's Fees.—The Rev. Mr. Bruce moved, " That instructions be given to the various congregations to pay the clerk's fees to the treasurer forthwith."—Agreed to. Committee op Supply.—The report of the Committee of Supply was read by the Clerk. It referred to the supply of ministers to the out-districts of Coromandel and Waikato—the Rev. Mr. Tait to the former, and the Rev. Mr. Stewart to the latter field of labour.—The report was adopted on the motion of the Rev. Mr. MoKenzie, and the Committee was dissolved, it having fulfilled the purpose for which it had been constituted. General Assembly.—The Rev. Mr. Bruce referred to the late meeting of the Assembly at Christchurch. He spoke of the regular attendance of the commissioners appointed by the Presbytery, and the active part they took in Jtbe business of the House. The Assembly was, in his opinion, a very agreeable and useful one, and gave a considerable impulse to tha Church in Canterbury. The influence was generally a healthy one, and he had no doubt would be. productive of good to the whole Church.—The Rev. Mr. Macky supplemented the remarks of the last speaker with others of a very similar nature. Application.—A letter from Mr. J. M. Frazer was received, in which Jie offered his services to the Presbytery as a missionary. —On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Hill, the Presbytery agreed to recommend Mr. Fraser to continue his studies in his present position until such time as he should have passed his examination as a theological student. Bazaab.—As it was contemplated to hold a bazaar to raise funds in aid of the Home Mission, and goods to the value of £800 were expected from, the old country, co-operation of all the Church members was desirable.— The Rev. Mr. Bruce proposed " That the ministers bring the question of contributing to the bazaar favourably before their congregations."—This motion was agreed to. A Slight Mistake.—Mr. Rattray drew the attention of the Presbytery to the fact that the Daily Southern Cross had referred to the bazaar in its local columns, and had stated that its object was in someway connected with the Old Women's Home. The Herald's paragraph was correct, and he would request the Cross reporter to correct

the mistake which had appeared in the Gross s i paragraph. A Student or DiTlNirr. —Mr. Bruce intimated to the Court that, from letters Ireceived from home, he was informed that Mr. Gallaway was now on his way from home, viaDunedin, to this place, and might ba shortly expected. The young man was a student of throe years* standing in the iDivinity Hall. He had left home for this (country by the advice of medical men. Mr. ;Bruce proposed, "That a committee should be appointed to examine the student as to his 'fitness for the ministerial work, such cora- ', mittee to consist of Messrs. Meicniccol, Hamilton, and Bruce."—Carried. North Shorb.—Mr. McKcnzie said that the North Shore district was too large for service to be conductod in the various places of worship in it, at North Shore, Wade, and Wainui, with any degree of regularity.—The question was considered, and afterwards referred to the Home Mission Oommittee. Onehunga.—Mr. Sommerville enquired if Mr. Brown had received the necessary commission from the Presbytery for his reiumption of the pastorate of Onehunga.—Mr. Bruce had been authorised by Mr. Brown to say that he had resigned his position, chiefly in consequence of ill health.—The matter of supply had been loft to the Home Mission, and the result was that Mr. Brown again took the pastoral oharge of the district.—After considerable discussion it viaa resolved that Mr. Brown should be recognised as the minister of Onehunga. Finance.—Mr. Rattray spoke of the necessity of providing funds for the carrying out of objects of the Home Mission. Several ministers had lately arrived, and there were several on their way; and to provide for these was a matter which should commend itself to the attention of the Presbytery. Examination.—The Presbytery then examined Mr. McKee, a student, on the subjects previously prescribed by the Presbytery. This concluded the business.