PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13647, 15 January 1908, Page 8

PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

THE DUNEDIN CONFERENCE, CHURCH STATISTICS. [BY TELEGIUrtt.— PRESS ASSOCIATION^ , Di'N'ElH.v, Tuesday, ' At the Primitive Methodist conference to-day Mr. G. Frogatt (treasurer) pre.* sented the balance-sheet of the New Zea* " land superannuated ministers' widows ami j orphans' fund. The income totalled £439>f 8s sd, the profits for the year being £274 p 12s, and the total value of the fund agf ; gregnting £3621. It was reported thai' - a bequest of £200 had been received duii* ing the year. A young people's rally was held ai*» Dundas-street Church last night, the Rev* Olpheit presiding. The Rev. E. Draktf {Wanganui) spoke, on "The Moral Heroism' of Christianity," Mr. A. Varney {director of technical instruction, Wanganui) spok* on "The True Spirit of Christian Knights . hood," Mr. H. Holland (secretary of th« Sunday-School Union) spoke on "Thf Success of the Cradle Roll," and the Rev* J. Flanagan gave some account of Sua* , day-school work in America. . The itinerary of the Rev. J. Flanagan » was arranged in the following order ;— Inveivargill. Timaru, Dunedin, Ashbur* , ton, Wanganui, Stratford, Eltham, NoWj Plymouth, Thame*, Waihi, Hamilton, Auckland, Christchurch, with farewell/, Sundays in Christchurch and Wellington* The evangelist will visit the places mentioned .in the order named, each circuit) to bo held responsible for its own fharof of expenses of the mission. A balance* , sheet it to be submitted to the genera? treasurer immediately the mission con* eludes. Each week's meetings aro to con*'' elude on Thursday, so as to leave Friday':' and Saturday free for rest and travelling. h The conference delegates' expenses fund showed a total of £2/1, the average per delegate being £2 10s Bd. Special resolu- ' tions* of thanks and appreciation were accorded to the Rev. A. J. Smith and tho Rev. A, T. Gutterey, of England, for their efforts in connection with the English conference. The statistics for 1903 are as follows :—» . Churches, 75 (increase 4); houses, 40 (iu- , crease 1) ; total cost of property, £62,613 > 12s 3d ; present value, £73,269 lis 2d ; '.. insured for, £32,165; premiums, £144 ; * debt, £17,835 12s 3d ; paid off this year, £459 : gross income, £4658 19s 9d ; out- * go, £4519 15s 4d ; other preaching places, , 89; hearers, 9972; ministers, 39; cir-, cuit missionary, 1; home missionaries, 4? local preachers, 173; class leaders, 58 ,* ' church members, 2882 (increase 60)*/ ! deaths, 17. > The. secretary (the Rev. J. Dawson) ... reported that permission had been given to Clifton South, Oanmrtt, and lanwood to make alterations in their buildings. A section had been given to Porirua Church on which to build a house. A handsome i church had been built in Donald Me* i Lean-street, Wellington, costing £1700, ■ and £1300 had been raised during the • last three years. The Island Bay Chinch had been removed to a central position, the removal costing £80, all of > which had been raised. The church at .. Granity had been completed, the electric p - Tight being installed. Permission had,' been given to erect a schoolroom and make; alterations in the church at. Wanganui, and.! to erect churches at Hautapu (Waikato) and!Annat (Greendale). A manse is in process!. of erection at Kdehdalc. Temuka station*' requested permission to sell the parsonage,*, and permission had been granted. Appli- ! j [ cation had been made by the authorities of - * Waihi station to sell the parsonage and ( build on a better site, and Stratford also i made, a similar request. 4 The report of the jubilee loan fund was , received, . showing the income to be £296 » 18s 6d and expenditure £190 6s 7d, leaving./ a balance of £106 Is ltd, the capital value,., being £1430 lis.lid. _ ■.•■'•"<*? *4 ' The matter of ministerial, salaries 4¥R»j introduced by the Otago and Southland' District. Mr. G. Frogatt moved that'', the salary be £45 per quarter, exclusive ofy' parsonages and children's " fund. Mr. Goldie seconded the motion pro form*, This was intended to apply to those -wh* , have been off probation over lour year*, £40, per quarter to be paid to ministers fW; the first four years after probation. Mr.' C. K. Bellringer moved an amendment n»' follows : " That wherever practicable»»t- t tioris should pay a minimum salary, of £45per quarter to ministers who complete their: probation and £40 per quarter to probsv-. JJlmers, and that the whole question be rW ferred to the quarterly meetings foj? cottj sideration, with a view to some generally*: acceptable and practicable scheme being inaugurated for tho better payment of our ministers; also, that the decision of the' , quarterly meetings be sent to the district, - meetings to be remitted to the next Conference for final decision." The amend-, ment Mas seconded by the. Rev. E. Drake. The subject provoked much discussion, and the amendment was carried by 56 vote* ia 15. A letter of greeting was received from the Rev. A. Don, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. » Thei letter-writers were instructed to suitably' . reply to the very kindly communication. The Examination Committee reported tut follows: —Probationers: Fourth yearC«|, A. Sims, 253 out of 600. Third year—.JW Harris, 443 out of 600; B. Metson, 445. Second veai—A. Armstrong, 4?3 oat o£' 600; H.'Daniel, 465; E. White,.4B7. First) vear—F. Thompson, 477 out of 600; D. B.? F. Carlisle, 407. Candidates: A- 5* David. 299 out of 400. Mr. Davis wast received as a.probationer and Mr. J. F. Do* hefty recommended as a home missionary.