PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17633, 20 November 1920, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,^ FIRE INSURANCE FUND. HOME MISSION ACTIVITIES. [BT TEI.ECRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday. A report on the fire insurance fund of the Presbyterian. Church of Now Zealand was prcnented to the General Assembly to-day. On. August 18, 1920, insurances were in force amounting to £367,946. These were distributed over 331 churches, 172 manses, 95 schoolrooms, and other buildings, the property of 260 congregations and organisations. Levies unpaid at that dato amounted to £69 16a 2d. Tho amount to credit of fund was £4516 9s, an increase oi £759 5s 3d for the year. No claim for financial loss had matured during tho financial year. Referring to tho loss of St. Andrew's Church, Wellington, tho report said that of the £6900 insurance, £4OO was held by the Church fund, the balance having ken reinsured. A recommendation was made that, in view of the greatly increased cost of replacement, all deacons, courts, and committees of management bo directed to see that their properties are adequately protected by insurance, and tho Church fund is commended to favourable consideration. The report was adopted, The Rev. Dr. Qibb presented tho report of the Home Mission Committee, and intimated his resignation of the convenership. He had been carrying tho two burdens of St. John's Church Pastorate and the convenership of the Home Mission Committee, ana found that the two-fold duty was over-burdensome. There were arduous times in front of tho Homo Mission Committee, as beyond the need of progressive work along lines already accomplished, a sum of £IO,OOO had to bo raised soon to fulfil the conditions of a legacy left provisionally to the committee. There was also the need of a training institute being established for homo missionaries, besides the urgent need for tho provision of better salaries for such church workers. Dr. Irwin, of Christchurch, in seconding tho adoption of the report moved by the convener, spoke in eulogistic terms of the groat services rendered to the Church by Dr. Gibb through his convenership, particularly in securing so many men from England in his recent mission. , The report was adopted, and a committee of the houso was appointed to formulate & minute of recommendation with respect to the retirement of Dr. Gibb.