METHODIST CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 11

METHODIST CONFERENCE

FRIDAY MORNING. At the Methodist Conference yesterday the following laymen were appointed to be members of the stationing committee - Auckland.—Messrs W. 5... McKay and W. S. Stone, with Revs. E. Drake and J. E. Parsons ; South Auckland, Messrs J. T. Bryant and F. West, Revs. A. 'Ashcroft and H. Cottom; Taranaki-Wanganui, Messrs E. Dixon and T. H. Werry and Revs. T. R. Richards.and W. W. Avery; Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu, Messrs R. Print and J. H. Dixon, Revs. M. A. R. Pratt and C. A. Foston; Wellington, Messrs H. P. Mourant and H. Mostyn, Revs. W. Greenslade and J. D. McArthur; Nelson, Messrs E. H. Penny and S. Gorman, Revs. W. Grigg and J. F Martin: North Canterbury, Messrs H. Holland and G. Sheat, Revs. W. A. Hav and E. D. Patchett: South Canterbury, Messrs W. T. Dill and F. fSrampton, Revs. A. E. Lawry and G. F. Stockwell; Otago-Southland, Messrs G. Askin and A. S. Froggatt, Revs. H. E. Be.llhouse, and W. H. Hosking; Solomon Islands, Rev. W. A. Sinclair and Mr J. Weale. The eleotion of an additional layman to balance the number of minister, resulted in the election of Mr H. Buttle.

The. Rev. G. F. Stockwell presented the report of the A Committee, dealing with the alteration and division of circuits. The committee reoomended that a committee consider the question of merging the Nelson district m the Wellington and North Canterbury district. This gave rise to some discussion, but was eventually carried. The following recomendations of the committee were, agreed to: .The name of the Cape Egmoni circuit to be changed to Ojranake; that the Home Mission Committee be requested to consider the necessity of an increased grant to the Richmond (Nelsifra) circuit; that Runanga be included in the Greymouth circuit; that a home missionary be stationed at Tuakau, with a suitable grant; that an agent be sent immediately to Hokianga; that the casdvof Taumarunui be referred back to the oommittee; that a married probationer be appointed to Ngaruawahia, and a single home missionary to Huntly, also to Waitara and Stratford circuit.

At this stage the Revs. A. T. Thompson and D. Calder Were received on behalf of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and received permission to address the oonference on behalf of the needs of the society. The Revs. H. Benny and A. H. Cropp were admitted as ministers in for connection. The following probationers were advanced a year m their probation: Revs. J. H. Allen, 1,. A. G. Brooks, T. H. Burton, J. F. Jack, A. Blakemore, E. W. Haines, H. E. Orchard, M. Ayrton, J. Bailey, E. H. Brooke, H. G. Brown, H. L. Fiebig, U. McGregor, O. S. Pearn, J. Reid, H.. Spencer, and C. R. Taylor. The following students were received on probation: Messrs G. R. B. Peterson, C L. Laurenson, arid F. G. Brown. Messrs J. H. Hall, C. R. Harris, A. H. Voyre, B. R. Homes, N. P. Larsen, A. R. Penn, I. M. Raynor, A. W. B. Silvester, and H. V. fitting are to remain iti college for another year. Mr Pangler, for health reasons, is allowed to. rest for twelve months- The following candidates for the ministry are to be admitted, to the college for training: Messrs J. D. Grocott, C. O. Hailwood, F. J. Hanty, F. H. Hayman, H. Jeffreys, and R. H. Miles. The Rev. S. Griffith presented the report on the Centenary Fund, which showed an .income of £39,000 which it is hoped will be raised to £42,000 before the fund is closed. The conference expressed its high appreciation of the splendid response to the centenary, when’ it was remembered that the appeal was made during most difficult years from a financial standpoint.