PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10365, 13 February 1897, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE. NEW HIOBRIDES. PROTEST AGAINST FRENCH ANNEXATION. [BY TELEGRAPH, —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christohuroii, Friday. At the Presbyterian Assembly, the Chinese Mission report was read by the Rev. W. Douglas, of Hokitika. It appears a Chinese missionary named Leon has begun work among his countrymen on the West Coast, who number at least 1000, and was meeting with encouragement from them. The work was supported by the Christian Endeavour Unions of Canterbury and Wcstland. The Assombly gave a grant of £20 to the Mission.

The Maori Mission report was submitted by the Rev. 1). Gordon, of Morton. Mr. Wilson, a missionary, had resigned through failing health, and only one missionary, Mr. Fletcher, was now at work at Taupo. The income for the year amounted to £114, and a strong appeal was made in the report and by tho speakers for more liberal support. The Foreign Mission report was read by the Rev. W. Grant, oi Leeston. It referred very fully to the work it) the New Hebrides on the islands of Tanna and Ambrym, and to the loss of the Mission ship Dayspring. The Rev, Mr. Watt, senior missionary, visited the various congregations throughout the Church during the year, and awakened deeper interest in the work. The prospects on Tanna were brightening, and the demand for native teachers greater than the supply. Th work on Ambrym carried on by Dr. Lamb, Mr. Mansfield, and Mies Phillips has been trying, owing to the sickness of the missionaries and tho opposition of enomies. One wing of the hospital has been completed, and another church built, and demands made for more teachers; while two natives suffered martyrdom. Mr. Alee Gillien, of Orkney, Scotland, at presentstudying for tho ministry in Edinburgh, has been appointed second missionary on Tanna. Thanks are recorded to the Auckland Ladies' Missionary Association, and to the A.N.H. Company for a handsome gift during the year. The income for the year from all sources was £1000.

The Rev. J. G. Patton, D.D., addressod the Assembly, and conveyed fraternal greetings to the Presbyterian Church of Victoria audits Foreign Mission Committee. He spoke of the anxiety felt at the probable occupation and annexation of the New Hebrides by (Trance, and asked the Assembly to strongly petition against it, because of the groat harm to Christian missions that would result. The Rev. Mr. Watt also spoke on the question, and on his motion it was agreed that the Assembly strongly represents to the Government of New Zealand the desirability of co operating with the Governments of Australia in their efforts to prevent the annexation of the Mew Hebrides by the French, and also in getting the prohibition of firearms and liquor, at present applicable to British subjects only, mado applicable to traders and people of all nationalities. -The question of replacing the Mission ship Dayspring was considered at a special meeting this afternoon, and it was decided to favour the use of the present maritime service between Sydney and New Hebrides. In the evening a public meeting was held in Sb. Paul's Church, and addressed by bho Revs. Dr. Pabton, Gibson, Smith, J. Lothian, and T. R. Cairns.