METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 9

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

THE TRAILING COLLEGE. SYNOD REGULATIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] • Dcnedik, Friday. The Management Boards for the four Central Missions were appointed by the Methodist Conference to-day. The conference endorsed the scheme for carrying on the Wellington work with the -headquarters at Webb Street.

The conference resolved that the following be the order of the l probationers' circuits:—Waiuku, Waimate, Gisborne. Feilding, Taumarunui, Havelock, Auckland, Westport, Balciutha.

The report of the principal, the Rev C. H. Garland, showed that the Theological College opened in Auckland in March with 13 students end the present number of students was 11. The conference instructed the principal that no student is to conduct more than 13 services in any quarter. It was further decided that every student be required to sign an agreement to repay the cost of his training in the event of his retiring from the ministry within ten years. The Rev. C. H. Garland was reappointed principal. The work of the committee in connection with the new theological institution has been at a standstill for 12 months. At a meeting a year ago it was decided that no aefcive steps be taken until a site for a university be decided on by the- Government, the committee realising that me theological institution building should be as conveniently near the university as possible. It was mentioned that £8000 was in hand for the new institution.

A proposal relating to lay representation on the Stationing Committee, and also to the size of the conference, was referred to the quarterly meetings and synods and to the conference of 1915. An animated debate took place on a jjroposal to extend the term of the pastorate beyond five years. It was eventually resolved to provide for such extension under certain safeguards, the extension to be endorsed in every case by a majority vote of 75 per cent. This resolution will need the endorsement of the various district synods and approval by the conference of 1915.

It was resolved to elect the secretaries of nods at the conference instead of at the synods. Resolutions affecting the constitution of district synods, with a view to increasing the number of lay representatives, were adopted. Home missionaries of seven years' continuous standing wore granted a seat in» the synods. The establishment of a conference travelling expense fund was referred to the quarterly meetings, with a view to recommendations being made to the next conference on the subject.