METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13691, 6 March 1908, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS

The Methodist Conference was continued at the Pitt-street Church yesterday, the president (tho Rev. C. E. Beecroft) being in tho chair. WARKWORTH PARSONAGE SITE. The question of the disposal of tho portion of tho parsonage site at Warkworth, in order to liquidate the debt to the loan fund, was reopened, and after considerable discussion the Conference decided to rescind its previous decision, and to allow (lie portion to be disposed of as requested. MALVERN CIRCUIT. A memorial was received from the stewards of Malvern, asking that Oxford and Malvern be united, and that a Home Missionary be appointed;,to assist the Malvern minister. After discussion, it was decided that in the event of no second agent being available for the Oxford-Malvern Circuit, Oxford be restored to Malvern, to be worked as one circuit. APPROPRIATIONS. The following appropriations for the ensuing year were agreed to; —Church building and loan, fund, £175; contingent fund, £175; Home Mission fund, £55; fire insurance fund, £100; authorised representative's office, £20. BIBLE-CLASS MOVEMENT. The following resolutions regarding the Bible-class movement were affirmed: — That the necessary funds for financing the effort be provided by (a) personal donations from sympathisers with the work, (b) by donations from Bible-classes and young people's societies, (c) by collections at meetings and missions conducted by the secretary, and (d) by a special appeal in the Outlook, where all donations shall be acknowledged." " That district Bible-class unions be formed in all our cities and large centres when practicable." " That at each annual Conference arrangements be made for a publio meeting to be held in the interests of the young men and young women of our Church." The thanks of the Conference were accorded to the retiring secretary of the movement (the Rev. 11. L. Blamires) for his past services. TRUST ACCOUNTS. The balance-sheets of the following trust accounts were presented and adopted: — Auckland District: General connexions! mission property trust, native education trust, Emslv theological endowment trust, Probert trust, Auckland Book Association. \V anganui District: Grey Institute, Kai Iwi Mission Estate. Wellington District: Native and destitute children's education trust. Canterbury District-: Canterbury Home Mission trust, century fund orphanage allocation. u THE PROBERT ESTATE. The trustees of the Probert Estate, in submitting their annual statement of accounts, stated that the 10 brick shops which they had been authorised to build on the Groat North Road, Auckland, had been completed at a cost of about £11,700. This amount exceeded the estimate, as the trustees had decided to expend £1500; in the addition of baker's ovens, in order to equip shops nine and ten for a bakery, thereby obtaining a much higher rental. ' The shops were all leased to good tenants, and at rentals considerably higher than was estimated when the , plans were made. The total rentals accruing to the trust were now £1612, ■ being an increase of £324- on the previous income, or an increase of £589 on the average gross income . for the past five years. After making adequate provision for repairs, rates and taxes, insurance, and management, there should be a net income of .about £1230. There had necessarily ; been . some logs of income during the building of the shops, tho past year's net income having been £605. To provide funds for the building scheme, the Welles-ley-street property had been sold, and the mortgages relised. This left a, balance, of, about £4-000 to be raised on loan, and the trustees had made' an arrangement with the Bank of New Zealand for an overdraft, at a reasonable rate of interest. It would be necessary to devote the surplus income to the repayment of the advance. It would bo necessary before very long to deal with the Upper Queen-street land by erecting new shops thereon, as the present building could not last many years longer, and was very much out of date. The trustees regretted that, owing to the large appropriations of past, years towards tho training of students, owing to no help being forthcoming from any other sources, they had been unable to accumulate funds for "the purpose of purchasing a site for a theological hall. They did not see their way to the appropriation of more than £500 for the training of students for the current? year, the remainder of the income being required for the payment of interest and sinking fund, and for the overdraft. The present market i value of the estate was estimated at £25,000. The report was adopted, and Mr. J. H. Gunson was appointed as ono of the trustees, vice the Rev. W. H. Lee, resigned. EVENING SESSION. THE OUTLOOK. 'The Conference went into committee to consider the question as to whether it should continue its present connection with the Outlook, or have a separate . paper entirely under Methodist control. After an animated debate, lasting several hours, a resolution was passed, stating that, in the opinion of the Conference, it was inadvisable to make any alteration in the publishing of the connexional organ. Further resolutions were also carried, appointing a committee to arrange all details in connection with the renewal of the contract, urging the members and adherents of the Church to further the interests of the paper as much as possible, and guaranteeing a share of any loss up to £40 per annum. It was also decided to make an effort to secure representation on the Publishing Committee of the Outlook. THEOLOGICAL AND TRAINING INSTITUTION. Regarding the Theological and Training Institution, the Conference expressed satisfaction at the good work done by the. institution during the past year, especial reference being made to the high marks' , gained by die students for their-trial sermons,* and to the fact that six out of seven men, in residence had successfully passed Ur»iversify examinations. It was 'decided to limit, the lectures given by the Divinity lecturers to certain subjects, so that students . might avail themselves . mom, fully .o.f . attending the lectures at the University College, to require; all studfents -who could -possibly do so to take mental science and economics in t'u3 University course, and to'direct the governor to make the best arrangements possible for tuition in Greek, which ail students will be required to take. It was also resolved to appeal to the Met hod ip" people for donations and bequests towards founding a theological hall, a sum jj£ frqtoi £3000 to £10.000 Ixnng aimed at as an Endowment, additional, to the Probert tnkt, to open subscription lists forthwith, and take no steps towards founding' tho Hall until funds have been contributed, or Accumulated for the purpose. Air. G. A.- Buttl6,, treasurer of the restitution, was thanked for his past services and was reappointed to tho position. The. Conference adjourned until 9.30 t!hi« morning. ... v ; This evening the conversazione in connection with the Conference will be hold in the Royal Albert Hall, commencing at 7.30. A splendid musical programme has been arranged, and short addresses will be (tolivered by the president (the Rev. C. T Beecroft), tV Rov. W. Readv, and' Mr F J. Arnold, .VI.P. " ' - 1 '