THE METHODIST CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19265, 2 March 1926, Page 12

THE METHODIST CHURCH

CONFERENCE IN DUNEDIN. STATIONING OF MINISTERS. DESERTED WIVES PROBLEM. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION ] DUNEDIN, Monday. At the Methodist' Conference to-day the Stationing Committee presented its report and the following alterations in the stationing of ministers were adopted:— Auckland Central: Revs. L. B. Dalby and T. W. Vealie. Auckland East: Rev. H. Ryan. Avondale: Rev. A. Ashcroft. Birkenhead: Rev. J. Richards. Papakura: Rev. F. T. Read. Northern Wairoa: Rev. A. Reader.- Thames: Jlev. W. A. Burley. Paeroa: Rev. W. B. Pickering and Rev. J. H. Hall. Hamilton: Rev. P. R. Paris arid Rev. H. L. Fiebig. Tauranga: Rev. C. B. Jordan. Taumarunui: Rev. G. K. Smith. To Awamutu: Rev. C. Roberts. Matamata: Rev. R. E. Fordyce. Inglewood: Rev. H. Spencer. Manaia: Rev. H. C. Orchard. Wellington, Taranaki Street: Rev. J. Bailey. Grey town: Rev. F. L. Frost. Eketahnna: Rev. L. A. G. Brooks. Nelson: Rev. P. ISI. Knight. Hokitika: Rev. A. Burnet. Reefton: Rev. C. R. Taylor. Westport: Rev. J. F. Jacks. Papanui: Rev. H. L. Blarnires. Lyttelton: Rev. H. White. Greendale: Rev. T. Skusa. Timaru (second minister): Rev. P. J. Cooke. Waimate: Rev. H. A. Sharp. Geraldine: Rev. H. Ford. Ashburton: Rev. R. B. Tinsley. Dunedin Trinity: (second minister), Rev. T. H. Burton; Moniington, Rev. J. H. Haslam. Port Chalmers: Rev. T. A. Pybus. Balclutha: Rev. B, Dudley. Miltbn: Rev. W. Gatman. Roxburgh: Rev. A. M. Costain. Invercargill (St. Peter's): Rev. S. Bailey. Otautau: Rev. M. Ayrton. Christchurch East: Revs. R. Raine and C. C. Harrison. Sydenham: Rev. H. J. Odell. Addington: Rev. A. Liversedge. Large congregations greeted the conference preachers on Sunday, especially at Trinity Church and Cargill Road, where the Rev. Leonard Dalby, from London, was the special preacher. Work of the Orphanages.

At the conference to-day the Rov. S. Griffith introduced the discussion on the work of the orphanages. The Auckland Children's Home showed an expenditure of £2633 2s 7d and receipts in cash £2327 17s Bd. Certain bequests have been added to the capital account, the interest only being available for current expenses. Tho conference resolved to record its deep appreciation of the legacy of tho late Mr. W. Winstone of £IOOO and the residue of his estate, in aid of the Auckland Children's Home.

The reports for the Masterton Home and the South Island Orphanage were also presented and the balance-sheets adopted. In trie, former there are 42 children and in the latter 35 boys and 23 girls. Several speakers stressed the desirability of dealing with deserting husbands and the following resolution, moved by the Hon. L. M. Isitt, M.L.C., was carried unanimously:—"This conference draws the attention of the Minister of Justice to the number of men deserting their wives and families, leaving them dependent upon the various orphanages and Government institutions. It urges that the polico be asked to use all vigilance to prevent such deserters from leaving the Dominion and to bring them to justice." Too Much. Leniency Alleged.

The Rev. J. A. Lochore, of Wellington, declared that magistrates were dealing too leniently with such offenders and a high tide of feeling was being aroused. During the discussion on the Dea.coness' Home reference was made to the appointment of Mrs. W. J. Williams as matron and she received a warm welcome when she rose to address the conference. The' importance of the institution was stressed and an appeal made for its support. The Rev. George Bond, in presenting the' Home Mission report, stated that the year's income was a record, totalling £12.848 7s Bd, including a credit balance of £333 lis 4d. The expenditure totalled £12,440 ss. The estimates of income and expenditure for the coming year wore passed and revealed an estimated deficiency of £llß6.

The Rev. A. J. Seamer, the general superintendent of home missions, dealt with the work as a whole and carried through the conference several machinery clauses for the better administration of the fund. He paid a generous tribute to the work of the home missionaries.

The conference unanimously appointed the Rev. Tahupotiki Haddon to the position of senior Maori superintendent. In dealing with the Ratana movement the conference reaffirmed its full confidence in the policy of the general superintendent and,, the Home Mission Board. This resolution was. carried unanimously and heartily by the conference.