PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9041, 17 February 1891, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

(Feb United Press Association)

. CroiSTCHUiiCH, February 16. The Presbyterian Assembly resumed its sitting this morning.

The Maori Mission report,'which was of sa

encouraging nature, was read. The missionaries,

Messrs Honore and Wilson, have prosecuted their labours with great suocess. They are cordially received by the Natives, their meetings averaging 20 to 30, and sometimes 100. Reference was' made to the waning of Haubauism. Mr Wilson, on account of ill-health, resigned, and Mr Fletcher was appointed to succeed him. The committee recommend that Wilson receive an annuity of £20 for three years. An earnest appeal was therefore made for increased liberality on the part of the church. The treasurer's statement showed that the fund had increased, but more money was required.

The report of the Chinese Mission was read, and showed that £12 bad been expended on the purchase of Chinese tracts and testaments, and that 8000 different sheets and books hod been purchased; that a considerable portion had bsen distributed on the West Coast, and were largely and earefnlly read; and hoped ths cburch would soon sco its way to appoint a Chinese missionary.

A deputation from the Ministers' Association was cordially welcomed, and addressed the assembly.

The report of the Ssbbath School wa9 read. MrDoull regretted that so few schedules had been returned—only 49 out of 90. The report showed 98 schools, with 800 teachers and 8573 scholars. It proposed to have an examination of tha schools coonected with the church. There are 12,031 volumes in the libraries of the 49 schools. Tbe sum of £191 was raised for missions, and £867 was raised for the library and other school purposes.

The Scholarship Committee reported that Alexander Howison had secured the divinity Somerville scholarship after an excellent examination. An overture on scholarships from the Wellington presbytery was read and discussed. The overture urged the necessity for increasing the scholarships, so that young men of promise might bo encouraged to enter the churoh.

The assembly this afternoon instructed tho Scholarship Committee to endeavour to increase the scholarships offered by the church. A resolution was passed expressing appreciation of the efforts made by Mr J?. J. Mos9 to lessen tha evils of unlicensed drink selling at Raratonga, and urging that further power be given him to carry out the desire of the natives for total prohibition. The 'question of tho date of the assembly meetings was remitted to presbyteries for consideration. The next meeting of assembly was arranged for February 1892 in Auckland.