METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 10

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

FUNDS FOR BUILDINGS. STATIONING OF MINISTERS. ' [by TELEGBAFH.—PBXSS ASSOCIATION.] * fitrSßDnr, Tuesday. The Methodist Conference was continued to-day. It was agreed by resolution to congratulate the Rev. W. Lee and the Rev. J. S. Rishworth on the attainment of their jubilee as preachers.

It was reported that the capital of the church buildings . fund has been increased by amalgamation "* with the Primitive Methodist jubilee loan fund, amounting to £1555. This increase of capital is | more than balanced by the larger requirements of the United Church, and the need for increased funds "becomes more argent every year. Several properties have been •acquired and buildings erected without raising the proportion of the cost required by the. conference rule. There are some cases of long standing arrears in the payment of loan instalments. The Rev. J. Dawson emphasised the importance of the rule being observed in reference to raising a certain percentage of the money required for new buildings, so that only a reasonable amount of debt should remain. He said that they should do with plainer buildings rather than have such an amount of debt as would cripple the work of the church. There must be more regularity in repayment to the loan fund, otherwise they would not have money to lend. The following circuits were relieved of their obligations to take married instead of single ministers:—Feilding. (third minister), Rotorua, Waimarino," Pahnerston North, Wellington South,. South Wairars.pa. It was resolved that an agent be sent to Mokan as soon as possible, with a suitable grant. A home missionary was tiiso approved for North Taranaki. New Plymouth was relieved of a probationer and engagement of a missionary was sanctioned.

The committee on circuits presented some additional' findings. It was resolved that Auckland and South Auckland districts hold their synods at different dates, to enable the Maori Mission superintendents to attend their Respective sessions. The. order in which circuits are to fulfil their obligation to take married ministers was fixed as follows:—Taihape, Invercargill (Leet Street) Timaru (Bank Street)/ Manaia, Danedin (Dundas Street) Paeroa. • "