METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12211, 5 March 1903, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

[by TELEGRAPH.— correspondent.] Christchtjrch, Wednesday. The Methodist Conference resumed its sitting this morning, but very little in the way of general business was transacted. ' On the motion of the Rev. 0. H. Garland it was resolved, "That this Conference expresses its deep regret that the Education Bill has passed through the British Parliament, and its entire sympathy with those Nonconformists in the Home Country who feel called upon, in the interests of religious liberty, to offer passive resistance to the operations of this unjust measure." ' The balance-sheet, of the supernumerary fund, after being considered in committee at great length, was presented and adopted. very lengthy and animated debate took plice respecting certain recommendations from the Auckland District Synod, and eventually it was decided to appoint a Committee to carefully investigate the proposal to divide the supernumerary fund into annuitant and auxiliary funds, and report to next synods and conference as to whether such a proposal is' practicable, and also to include in the report a clear statement of the meaning of_ the phrase "actuarial principles," as applied to the supernumerary fund. - ' i In the evening the. report of the century commemoration fund was presented by the Rev. W. Baumber and adopted. The amount received during the year was £1237 7s lOd. There is still the sum of £2805 due. Authority was given to local committees to enter the names of all subscribers upon the historic roll. : On the motion.of ; the Rev. O. H. Garland each superintendent was requested to make fresh efforts to secure the amounts still due.' ~..'."'_'. -.• The following were appointed a committee, on the motion of, the Rev. W. Ready," to consider the position of the supernumerary fund:—The Revs, president and secretary, Garland, Lewis, Chapman, and Ready, Messrs. T. Allen, A. 0. Caughey, T. Buddie, and G. A. Buttle, with the Revs. Fairclough; McNicoll, Gibson,; and Mr. T. E. Corkill as correspondent members. - * ; The Foreign Mission fund report was presented by the Rev. J. N. Buttle. The income foi the year was £1275. ,-' - '-