PUKEKARORO.—CHURCH EXTENSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5065, 9 February 1878, Page 3

PUKEKARORO.—CHURCH EXTENSION.

Messrs. McKay and Finlayson being the successful contractors for the work required by the Hobson County Council embraced in section 3, a speedy beginning of important operations may very naturally be expected. This road will be of great importance to thi3 district, and a general boon to Northern settlers when completed. The Rev. D. Bruce paid a most welcome visit to our district a few days ago. Mr. Bruce conducted divine service in the schoolhouse, Kaiwaka. Tho building on that occasion was crowded withattentivelistencrs. At tho conclusion of the service, Mr. Bruce presided over a meeting of church members. The object of the meeting was to discuss the need of a, Presbyterian Church in Kaiwaka. Mr. Bruce said he had been looking after the plot of ground presented to the Presbytery by a former resident of the district. All little affairs connected with it had been properly settled between Mr. Thornton tnd himself. He advised them to erect the church on this piece of land. Mr. D. Balderston as chairman of tlie Church Committee read the minutes of tho last annual meeting, giving an account of tho moneys, paid to the Kev. Mr. Mcßae and Mr. Pen-; man for services conducted by these gentle-; men. Mr. Balderston complained of the treatment this district had received at tho hands of Mr. Mcßae. Mr. Balderston gave it as his opinion that Mr. Mcßae cared nothing, for the spiritual wants of the settlement, and regretted much that the resignation of the latter gentleman had not been accepted by the Pretbyteiy. The services of Mr. Penman had been highly acceptable to members of the church and others. Tho rev. Chairman expressed a hope that in the future things would be so managed so that happier results would be felt by all. Mr. K. S. Ross proposed, "That immediate steps be taken to erefct a Presbyterian Church in Kaiwaka, and that this meeting considers it advisable to erect the same on the plot of land at Mr. Thornton's."—Seconded by Mr. J. liastie and carried.—Proposed by Mr. Ross, "That a subscription list be placed in the hands of a committee, whose duty will be to collect all moneys promised, and if possible to augment that sum by additional subscriptions."—Seconded by Mr. J. Morrison and carried.—Proposed by Mr. J. N. Seaman, "That the above committee furnish lists to any persona inquiring for such, who may be desirous of furthering the movement," and carried. The following gentlemen were elected a Church committee for the year 187S :—Messrs. Balderston (Chairman), Ross, Hastie, J. Cameron, and A. Stewart. Mr. Balderston proposed a vote of thanks to tho rev. chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Boss. "In acknowledging the compliment, Mr. Bruce remarked that he had felt great pleasure in attending, and hinted that if they (the committee) wished him amongst them again, they had better push on with the building and ask him to come and open the church. Mr. Bruce closed the meeting by prayer.

On Wednesday evening, January 30, Mr. Lang, of Auckland, a prominent member of tbesocalled "Christian Brethren'' delivered an address, the subject being "The relation of baptism to the blood of Christ." The attendanoe was not largo, but considerable satisfaction was evinced by those present, arising from the earnest and charitable attitude displayed by the lecturer, while speaking upon a topic evidently a pet one among those connected with the body Mr. Lang belongs to. Discussion was invited. Two questions were pub by one of the audience and answered by Mr. Lang in a frank and satisfactory manner. The collector, of'the'dbg tax has made his appearance in the district. Though all persons waited upon have speculated to the amount of ss, few there are who consider the law that compelled them to do so is a just one. There are not a few bush settlers who hold that the free right to keep one dog should be allowed them. —[Own Correspondent, January 30.] '