THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY IN PRIVATE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9268, 2 August 1893, Page 6

THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY IN PRIVATE CONFERENCE.

At the close of the routine business of the Auckland Presbytery last night, the Clerk announced that there was some business to be considered by the Presbytery in private. Mr. Haslett strongly protested. He was not a member of the Presbytery, but he was an elder of the Church, and from the pulpit last Sunday they had been invited to attend this meeting. He therefore protested against being turned out when the most interesting part of the proceedings was to be discussed.

The Rev. Mr. Sommekvillk explained that it was to be private meeting, and the proceedings were not to be reported. The Rev. J as. Hill said the Presbytery could meet in private at any time it chose, and he thought Mr. Haslett was not entitled to be present, as only members of the Presbytery were entitled to be present. Surely Mr, Haslett knew that the' Presbytery could meet privately. The Rev. Mr. McCalli.m said that although they may meet privately they could nob bind the members to secresy, and Mr. Haslett, as an elder, could be present ex (/ratio. Mr. Hasi.ktt said if he stayed lie would stay with perfect freedom to speak of the matters discussed outside, otherwise ho would not stay at all.

The Rev. Mr. Wksc said if Mr. Haslett was allowed to remain on those conditions, he would move that tho reporters also be allowed to remain, as it would be much better to have a correct report of the proceedings than the ideas of any one individual.

The Rev. Mr. Macxtcol, in reply to the Rev. Mr. McCallum, said they wero bound to secresy on a point of honour. A motion was then carried that the Presbytery meet in private, and Mr. Haslett and the press reporters retired.