AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8583, 3 June 1891, Page 6

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Presbytery,was held yesterday evening, the Moderator, the Rev. G. B. Monro, presiding. Sabbath - school Examinations. — The Rev. R. Macnicol stated that he was

unable to present the report of the Sabbathschool examiners, as it was no,t yet ready. KuAOTUNU AND COROMANDEL.—The Rev. T.' P. Robertson reported that he had visited Kuaotunu at the request of the committee appointed to consider the question of holding services there. Mr. Robertson spoke warmly of the kind reception which he had received. He said hs believed, however, that it was almost impossible to form a church of any sect there, as the community was so much divided. Accordingly a committee representing the Wesleyan, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian Churches was formed, and would without doubt work well. He believed a Sabbath-school would be started in

the district. The Presbytery authorised the committee to arrange for periodical visits of a clergyman to Kuaotnnu and Coromandjel..; Religion and Morals Committee. — The Rev. G. B. Monro reported that the Religion and Morals Committee had resolved to hold conferences and evangelistic

meetings, and the first conference would jae held at St. David's Church on Wednesday evening They had. also arranged for meetings in various country districts. The committee recommended the appointment of au evangelist, and that the Presbytery should go in for an exchange of pulpits, say twice a year. The Rev. A. Car/ick, who had visited Ngaruawahia and Huntly tcj'conduct evangelistic meetings, spoke hopefully of what he had seen in those districts. Mr. McKinney had assisted him in his worlc. A report was siv"en by the Rev. Mr. Steele of the services he and Mr. Huuter had conducted at Cambridge. The question of appointing an evangelist was deferred. Chorch Work.—The Rev. T. F. Robertson gave notice that he would move to the effect that it was desirable that there should

be a systematic co-operation of the various churches in church work. Property Committee.—The Rev. J. Hill moved, " That a Property Committee be appointed in connection with the Presbytery, as follows :--The Revs. R/P. Macnicol, and R. Sommerville, and the mover." The motion was seconded by the Rev. A. Carrick. The Rev. A. McCallum suggested that the committee should enquire as to whether a certain property acquired as a site for a church and manse at Lucas! Creek had passed out of the hands of the church ? and if so, what had become of the.proceeds ? He also thought they should enquire whether any other property held under deed in the name of any minister, had not the proper designation of the trust embodied in the deed. The Rev. R. Sommerville said" the property at Lucas' Creek had gone, thongh everything possible had been done to save it. The motion was agreed to. Call to thb Rev, W, J. Comrie. — A was received from the Presbyterian congregation of Kelso, Matanra, to the Rev. W. J. Comrie, of Waiuku. The Kelso church has over 100 members, and a large body of adherents.' The Rev. R. Sommerville pointed out that the call, though sustained by the Presbytery of jVlataura, had not been signed by a majority ot .-the- members.'. Mr. Brown--lee, a commissioner representing the Waiuku congregation, submitted various objections to Mr. Comrie's .removal to Kelso, and spoke in terms of praise of Mr. Comrie's ministry. Captain Makeill, the other commissioner, also addressed the Presbytery, urging that Mr. Comrie should hot be removed. The Rev. W. J. Comrie said he was willing to accept the call, because he believed a young minister, at least, should not remain too long in one district. Moreover, the district of Waiuku was & very difficult one to work, and he did not like being so much away from home as was necessary there. The Rev. R. Sommerville moved that the call be agreed to by the Presbytery. He said he regretted that Mr. Comrie should leave the Presbytery, and this sentiment was echoed by the Revs. A. Carrick and T. Norrie. Mr. Finlay moved an amendment, " That the Presbytery refuse to translate Mr. Comrie." He believed that Mr. Comrie was doing better work at Waiuku than he would do at Kelso. After considerable disousaion, the amendment was withdrawn, and Mr. Sommerville's motion was agreed to. Mr. Finlay was appointed to preach the Waiuku church vacant, and to moderate the session during the vacancy. Scheme of Studies.—The Rev. J. Paterson, convener of the committee appointed to consider the means for meeting the wants of outlying districts, sent the following resolution passed by the committee : "That before attempting to formulate any new scheme of studies to DC submitted to the Church, Presbyteries be communicated with, and requested to state whether they desired any modification of the present regulations anent the training of students, and of what nature they should be." The matter was referred to a committee.

The Rev. J. G. Paton.—The Rev. R. S. West read a letter from the Rev. R. Irwin, Christchurch, stating that the Rev. J. G. Paton had informed him that he had just begun a tour of the congregations of the New South Wales Presbyterian Church, and that his visit to New Zealand would therefore bo delayed for twelve months.