DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11182, 3 August 1898, Page 4

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

A'meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held in the hall •of First Church on Tuesday morning, when there were present: The Revs. D. Dutton (in the chair"), A. Greig, J. Kirkland, J. Christie, A. Cameron, J. Gibb, I. K. M'lntyre, .E. C. Tennent, and A. M. Finlayson • (ministers) ■; -Messrs G. Reid, AY. Button, J. Waddell, and D. Thomson (elders). . . AN ASSOCIATE... ■ . ' , The Rev. Mr Ktd, of, Kelso,., being present, was associated with the presbytery. THE NOItTH DUNKDIN CONGHESATIOX. Attention having been called to the destruction by fire of the North Dunedin Church building, The Rev. I. K.M'lnttee stated that the chtirch was insured for £1000.-It had been completely '.destroyed,'■ and 'the;' 'iilOOO^ ;wais available,' but the church was mortgaged to the extent of £500,' and the'inanse to the extent of £200. The liabilities of the con: giegation now amounted to £700. The members.of the congregation had been exerting themselves since the fire to raise subscriptions and he believed that very nearly £200 had been collected, although he was not in a position to speak with exactness in regard to the matter. There was to be a congregational meeting on Thursday to discuss the whole matter of the rebuilding of the church, and he desired to ask the presbytery unofficially if they could give them any advice or inform them what the synod would be likely to do to help them. He understood that the case was an exceptional one, and it was very satisfactory that it should be so. He thought that the rules with regard to the giving of grants scarcely applied to the case ot this congregation. They had in the past got grants to the extent of £766. It would be very helpful to the meeting on Thursday if the presbytery would give them any information about the likelihood of the synod helping the congregation. During the last three years something like £200 had been spent on improvements to the church, which was in a very comfortable condition prior to the fire, and it was thought that the church was good for 15 years to come. He intended to advise the congregation to be content with their own hall for some time rather than add greatly to their present debt.

] The Rev. J-. Gibb stated that the Deacons'. ] ' Court of First - Church had unanimously ' agre.ed to give the North Dunedin congregation ia collection in aid of the: building ; i fund; ' ' ' •" ..'•.. ' I The Rev. A. .CamEron.moved—"That, the i presbytery sympathise with the North Dun- ' edin congregation, recommend the congregations within the bounds to assist North Dunedin; by.collections or otherwise, and appoint a committee to examine the regulations for grants as they bear on this case, and report to the next meeting of presbytery."■■ ,| The Rev. J. Gibb seconded the motion, ; which was earned, and the Rev. Messrs B.or- ; rie, Cameron, Gibb, and M'lntyra were ap- ; pointed a committee to give effect to the t resolution.. ' . • j The Rev. Mr Ktd offered to give a lecture j in ; aid of the building'fund of the North Dun- j edin church. •■:(':. ■ ■■ ■■ { • : ' •'. ; ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES. • • ■ . 1 The Rey.: J- :Gf,BB, .convener of the committee appointed', to; report regarding the boundaries' of- Brighton, Kuri . Bush, and neighbouring" districts, gave- in a report on the matter to the effect that a joint ■ committee of the Dunedin and Clutha.-Presby-teries had resolved —(1) That in view of the information-laid before- the conference, it be recommen.ded)'to. Cl.Utha Presbytery' to have Milburn and adjoining ■districts declared -a mission charge. ~ (2) In view of' the. matter.l submitted' tp, this' conference, it is reconv- .: mended' that'fthe district lying to the north : of- the Taieri River'and Waihola:Lake be loosed from the Waihola charge. -{3) That. the committee recommend the -establishment of a church extension charge, to include Qta- ' kia, Henley, and Berwick. ;.•■■.•■. j On the motion of the Rev. J. Gibe, ! seconded by the, Rev. J. Cameron, it was resolved that the presbytery,, after hearing the report of the committee re; boundaries; of Waihola,' etc.,- agree to -recommend the synod to make the Taieri River and Waihola Lake the southern boundary of the Dunedin Presbytery. The presbytery further appoints a I committee to'visit West Taieri, Berwick, Hen.- ' ley, Otakia, etc., and to report to next meet- ' ! ing; the committee 'to consist of the Revs. ' ! Will, Borrie, Watt, Kirkland, Cameron, Gibb, j I and Messrs C.oiiston,and Reid. j . ;THE;MORNINOTON VACANCY. ' , { ! Messrs Alexander Watson and M. W. Scott, ] ■ commissioned by. the Mbrnington congrega- ! tion, waited on the presbytery, and asked i them to- moderate in a call, to the Rev. Dr j Irwin, :of North Belt, Christchur'ch. ' ' ! The Preisbyt'ety', after hearing the deputa- { tion, resolved, ;pn the'motion of the Rev. J. ;; Gibb—'' That the presbytery congratulate ' the Mprnih^ton congregation on the speedy and harmonious manner in which they tiave agreed to fill up vacancy in their pulpit, and that moderatibnVas asked for be granted in ti call tothe'Rey, Dr. Irwin ; the presbytery toineet "for this, purpose in Mornirigtop Church: on Wednesday,, 17th,'insi;,- at 7^30 ; ; p.m:, ~the moderator to preach and preside,. ':.'.. ■.'.;' .'/'WAIKQUAI.TI.' ': '','■. .^'.v-..^ ■'.■:..'. ' It ,\yas;:agreed;.,tp, recommend the synod tp graht/£SO for;repairs to the manse at Wai- ! kouaiti." ~ ''">, ".'■., ■'.■■ •■ ■ • '.■' ■-■'-'-,■ .- , j CHUROH' EXTENSION REGULATIONS;, ETC. ! Consideration of the church extension regu- : lations and the aged and infirm ministers' j •fund regulations ,was postponed, until -.next i meeting of presbytery, on the first Thursday | j in September. : i