PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 937, 14 February 1890, Page 17

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Thursday, February 13. The Assembly sat at 9.30 a.m. THANKS On the motion of Rev J. Treadwell, a vote of thanks was awarded to the ex-Moderator (Rev A. M. Beattie) for his excellent sermon delivered on the occasion of the opening of the Assembly, and for his services generally, Rev Mr Beattie briefly returned thanks. CHURCH PROPERTY. The report of the Church Property Truatees was read by the Rev J. Paterson, in the absence of Mr J. McKerrow, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Trustees expressed regret that having devoted much time and attention in bringing the Church Property Act, 1885, into good working order, the Methven charge had placed their property under Trustees of their own choosing. This was entirely contrary to the purpose of the Act. As there was a considerable amount of property, originally given or purchased in good faith for the church, likely to be lost to it through imperfect dedication of trust, and being vested in private persons, now inert or hot-tile, who refused assent to transfer, the Trustees suggested that the Assembly should take the subject of trusteeship into careful consideration. The report also mentioned that as the ‘ Government had proposed aa amendment of

the Property Tax Act, a deputation of tho Trustees had waited upon the Premier to urge that the provident endowment funds ofi the Church should be totally exempt from taxation. The Premier had promised t-sy carefully consider the representations, but as the bill was withdrawn no relief had as yet been obtained. The tax last year on the endowment funds was £2B 2s sd„ After lengthy discussion, it wn3 decided, on the motion of Rev W. Gillies (Timaru)., seconded by G, Webster (Christchurch), “ That the Assembly adopt the report, and thank the Board, and especially its Chairman, for the trouble they have taken with the business entrusted to them ; and in reference to the special matter referred to the Assembly by the Board, ‘ That this Assembly being convinced that it is of the Utmost importance for the interests of congregations, aa well as of the Church at large, that all properties should be placed under the provisions off the Church Property Act, would strongly urge upon all presbyteries and congregations the loyal acceptance and carrying out of the provisions of the Act, and Snjoins presbyteries not to give their sanction to any dealings with properties placed under the Act/ 5 It was decided that the elork should correspond with the clerks of presbyteries or others with the view to ascertain the nature of title deeds of church properties in the hands of their respective presbyteries. AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS 5 FUND, The Committee of this fund reported with much regret? that the regulations snaking connection with the fund compulsory ora all ministers of tho Church had been complied with by only 22 ministers, while only 27 congregations had made their annual contributions. The total income for the year had been £279 14s 7d, and expenditure £75 17s, leaving a balance of £204 133 to be added to capital, which then stood ab £2006 93 7d. A former minister of tho Church, the Rev E. Mackintosh, now residing in Southland, had sent a donation of £l. The Rev Mr Gillies, who presented the report, complained of the want of loyalty on the part of ministers and congregations. Tho fund which had been opened for tlieiv prospective, benefit, had been almost en«tirely ignored* and he thought if they werenot going to prevs more loyal to it thesooueir it was dissolved the better. During the discussion which followed the W. Gillies stated that the real difficulty of the ministers was that of making the payments out of their small stipends, and he thought the elders would be doing a good service to> the church by seeing that these payments were provided for. The Rev J. Paterson thought that more influence should be brought to bear upon the congregations with regard to this matter. Eventually it was decided on the motion of Rev R. Erwin, seconded by Rev G, H. McKenzie (Lyttelton), that the report be adopted, and that the convener be requested to draw up a circular calling the attention of ministers and congregations to the regulations of the fund, and recommending compliance with the same ; and that in case of ministers joining the fund before the 31st December cl the current year, interest at tho rate of 7 i>sr cent on arrears be charged for the fines provided by the regulations ; and that the thanks of the Assembly be given to the Committee, and especially the convener-” A petition was received from the Auckland Presbytery requesting that the Rev J. Macky should be placed in full participation of the fund, but it was decided, on the motion of the Rev J. Treadwell, seconded by the Rov D. Gordon, that in the circumstances the Assembly did not see its way to allow the Rev J. Macky any increase to the grant annually made to him from the fund, WIDOW AND ORPHANS’ FUND. The Committee of this fund reported with regret that only three new contributors had connected themselves with the fund during the year, so that now there were only 21 of the present ministers of the Church who W6re connected with the fund. The income for the year was £359 10s 6d, and expenditure £134 Bs, of which £6 13s 4d was a refund to tho Bev D. Gordon, now in Victoria, who had ceased his connection with the fund. The sum of- £231 15a lOd had been added to the capital, which now stood at £4194 3s 7dToe report was adopted, and it was decided to instruct the clerks of presbyteries to carry out the regulations of the Assembly bearing upon the question.