AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8535, 8 April 1891, Page 3

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The regular meeting of the Auckland Presbytery was held last evening at St), Andrew's Church. Present": The Rev. G, G. Jones (Moderator), the Revs. Messrs, Monro, Macnicol, Carrick, Norrie,.Steele. West, Sommerville (clerk), Hill, Finlay, Worboys, Comrie, Robertson, and a .large number of elders.

Elders' Commission.—The commission? of elders from the sessions of the following congregations were received St. Andrew's, Mr. John Reid; Onehunga, Mr. S. S. Osborne ; St. David's, Mr. John Patterson j St. Peter's, Mr. D. Garriock; Otahuhu, Mr. W. P. Hunter; St. James's, Mr. A. Ramsay ; Waiuku, Mr. James Brownlee; St. Stephen's, Mr. F. J. Bennett.

Moderator.—On the motion of Mr. Sommerville, the Rev. G. B. Monro was elected Moderator of Presbytery for the ensuing six months. On taking his seat Mr. Monro said he was thankful that he had not to make a speech, but he was very much obliged for the honour they had done him. Onehunga.—A letter was received from the secretary of the Onehunga session in regard to supply instead of the Rev. Mr. Adams, who had obtained nine months' leave of absence, complaining that a substitute had not yet been provided. The Clerk said, that he had written a reply stating that he was sorry they were dis> satisfied with the action of the Presbytery, Mr. Osborne explained that the congregation had now engaged Mr. McLennan for six months from the Ist of March, and they were fairly well satisfied with the present arrangement, and the cause of dissatisfaction was past. Waipu Petition.—Mr. Macnicol, as Moderator of session, said they held a- meeting at which it was resolved that they could not forward the petition to the Presbytery, as it was purely a congregational and they intimated this to the congrega, tion. °

Sabbath-school Examinations.—The-are-port of Mr. Douall, convener of the Assembly examiners of Sabbath-schools, was read. He hoped to havo the -examination papers in the hands of the Presbytery clerks by 13th of April. Mr. West did not think, as they received such late notice, that their scholars would be ready for examination on the ISth of April, as they had no warning of what was coming on. Mr. Sommerville said be had only received notice a week ago, others about a fortnight, and some, including Mr. Macnicol, not at all. Mr. West moved that the clerk be requested to write to the convener, requesting that the examination be postponed for three months. The Rev. Mj. Hill said he thought it would be better to let the matter go on, and let those who were ready to go up for the examination do so, but he disagreed with the idea of postponing it, and did not think it could be done. Mr. Sommerville said he did not think there would be a single school in this Presbytery that could go up. Mr. _ West said he would withdraw his motion if it could be arranged to hold the examination on the 30th of April, and ho moved to that effect. Mr. Steele seconded the _ motion in this form, and it was carried. On the motion of Mr. Hill the Revs. Messrs. West, Macnicol, and Carrick were appointed a committee to arrange for the examination, Mr. Macnicol to be convener of the committee. '

Northcote.— copy of a resolution passed by the congregation at Northcotfi was forwarded, representing to the Presbytery that they expected a visit from a minister once a month, and asking the Presbytery to arrange for the more frequent visitation of ministers than had prevailed for the last two years. It was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of Mr. Carrick, the Moderator of session, and he promised to do what he could in the interests of the congregation. Mr. Sommerville said the difficulty was to fiad supply. Whangarei was now vacant, and he did not know where to obtain supply. He had written to Mr. Patterson, at Wellington, asking if he could send some one up. Ifc was agreed to reply that the Presbytery sympathised with the congregation, and that the Moderator would endeavour to give effect to their desire. Kuaotijntj.—The Clerk said Mr. Mason was of opinion that services should be held in that goldfield. There was now a large public hall suitable for services, and he was of opinion that a minister should be occasionally sent to the district. . He also pointed out that Coromandel was now vacant. There was a great difficulty in getting a committee to arrange this matter, most of the members declining to act, but finally the Revs. Messrs. Robertson, Macnicol, Mason, and Mr. Ramsay (elder), was appointed, the Rev. Mr. Robertson being appointed convener. The committee was also instructed to endeavour to arrange for supply for Coromaudel. °

Whangarei.— The clerk said that Mr. Russell, who had given supply to Whangarei, was leaving there next Thursday for England, and he asked whether any minister would volunteer to go down there for next Sabbath. > The Rev. Mr. Finlay volunteered to do so if he could obtain supply. Mr. West spoke highly of the able manner in which Mr. Russell had done the work oi the Church, and he thought some notice should be taken of it by the Presbytery, but the clerk said there was nothing to take notice of, for there was nothing officially before them. He, as Moderator of Session, would, however, give him a certificate. Lay Preachers. -- Mr. Sommerville moved that in addition to the examination in Scripture knowledge and the Shorter Catechism required by the Act of Assembly 18S0, for candidates for the i position of lay preacher, they be required to conduct a service in the ; presence of the Presbytery Committee, in order that they may have an opportunity of judging of the fitness of each candidate for the position to which he aspires. Mr. Ramsay seconded the motion and it was agreed to.

General Assembly. — Mr. ;Norrie, as representative of the Presbytery in the General Assembly; reported as to the meeting, which was the largest ever held in the colony. The business was orderly and successful. He reviewed at some length the work which had been done, and the general features of the discussion.