ONEHUNGA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 3

ONEHUNGA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

CHOICE OP A MINISTER. A meeting of members and adherents of the Onehunga Presbyterian Church was held last night. The Rev. G. B. Monro (moderator) occupied the chair. The mooting was held to consider whether the congregation wag prepared to proceed with a call to a minister to succeed the Rev. R. Ferguson resigned. On the motion of Mr. Crawford, seconded by Mr. Parkes, it was unanimously agreed to do so. Some discussion arose as to who should be allowed to vote, whether members and adherents, or members only. The chairman said that the question had been submitted to the Assembly which met last February for decision, and that body had referred it to a committee to consider, and report at the next annual meeting. In the meantime id was left to the discretion of each Moderator. He (Mr. Monro) ruled that only members would be allowed to vote, but that adherents would be «sked to vote as adherents in support or otherwise of the members' call. Mr. A. Robb questioned the chairman's ruling, and stated that for many years past members and adherents had voted together in the call given to previous ministers of that church. In answer to Mr. G. J. Jackson, the Chairman stated that no member could vote by proxy, but if a call was given the same could be taken to any tick member for signature. The Moderator then read the Church rules, one of which declares that a bare majority can elect a minister, but tho call must be signed by not less than three-fifths of the members in full communion, and as there are 104 members of the Onehunga Church, not less than 62 must sign the call. Mr. Inglis moved that a call be given to the Rev. Robert Edgar, of New South Wales. Mr. J. Hastie, jun., seconded the motion. Mr. J, flastie, sen., moved that a call be given to the Rev. Peter McQueen, of Victoria. This motion was seconded by Mr. Parkes. After the members had taken their seats on one side of the church and adherents on the other side, a vote was taken and resulted as follows:—For Mr. Edgar (members only), 30; for Mr. McQueen, 26. Adherents only: For Mr. Edgar, 8; for Mr. McQueen, 28. In the substantive vote which was then token, 30 members voted for Mr. Edgar and 29 against, while eight adherents voted for him and 30 against. Mr. Alexander Whyte moved that the new minister's stipend be £200 a year and manse. This was agreed to. Messrs. S. Barrajid T. R. Gillman were appointed commissioners to support the call, The meeting then terminated.