METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14156, 7 March 1908, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. /FSOM OUB OWH COEBESPONDENT.)

AUCKLAND, March 6. Tho Conference, resuming in representative session this morning, the president (Rev. C..K Bceeroft) presiding, «.t once unanimously carried a motion—" That on behalf of tlio Methodist Church of New Zealand wo convey through' the American Consul our profound sympathy with tho American pecplo in the overwhelming sorrow which has befallen tlw.ii in tho heartrending tragedy of Cleveland, by which so many litle ones have lost their lives Mid so many homes been plunged into gnet. Rev. W. Slade brought forward a proposal to erect a Central Mission hall in mfV)?! 1 mvolve » coit Of ali,W. J. he following resolution was hoaruly carried-" Tho Conference rejoices io know that a site has been secured for tho erection of promises for the Uuncdin Central Mission, and that immediate steps are to be tabm to inaugurate a building campaign, and it commends the enterprise to the generous consideration of tho whole Methodist-Church of this Dominion." A report on. the Auckland Methodist Mission was brought forward by the convener of the Conference. This was sympathetically received. The erection of the proposed mission hall was heartily commended by the Conference to the" liberal support of the Methodists of Auckland It was decided, however, that no commencement be made until at least £700 is .in hand, and that when a total of £2000 is'raised the erection be sanctioned, either in brick or wood, with a preference for brick. A committee was appointed ,to raiso the required sum. • The trustees in the Probert estate, in submitting their annual statement of

accounts, stated that the 10 brick shops which they had been authorised to build .on th> Great North road,' Auckland, had been completed, at a cost of about £11,700. This amount exceeded the estimate. Tho shops were all leased to good lerants and ai' rentals considerably higher than was estimated when tho plans were madcj The total rentals accruing to tho trust were now £1612, being an increase of £324 on tho previous income, or an increase of £559 on the average gross income for the past live years. After making adequate provision for repairs, rates and taxes, insurance and management, there should be a net income of about. £1250'. There had necessarily been some loss of income during the building of the shops, the past year's net income having been £605. To provide for the building scheme, the Wcl-Ic-alcy street property had lwcn sold, and the mortgages released. This had left a balance of about £4000 to bo raised on loan. It would bo necessary to devoto the surplus income to the repayment of the advance. It would be necessary before very long to deal with the Opper Queen street land by erecting new shops thereon, 88 the,present building oould not last many years longer, and was very much out-of-date. The trustees regreted that, owing to the large appropriations of past years towards the training of students, owing to no help being forthcoming fro many oilier sources, they had been unable to accumulate funds for the purpose of purchasing a site for the theological hall. They did not see their way to the appropriation of more than £500 for the training of studonts for the'current year, the remainder of the income being required for the payment of interest and sinking fund and for the overdraft. The present market valuo of. the estate was estimated at £25,000. The report was adopted, and Air J. H. Giuison was appointed as one of tho trustees, vice the Rev. W. K. Lee, resigned. Regarding the Theological and Training Institution, the 'Conference expressed satisfaction at the good work done by tho institution during the past year, especial reference* being made to the high marks gained by the students for their trial sermons; and to the fact that six out of seven men in residence had successfully passed university examinations. It. was decided to limit the lectures given by the divinity lecturers to certain subjects, 'so that students might avail themselves more fully of attending lectures at the university colldgo; to require all students who could possibly do so to take mental science and economies in the university course, and to direct the governors to make the beet arrangements possible for tuition in Greek, which all students will be required to take. It was' also resolved•- to appeal to the Methodist people for donations and bequests towards founding a theological hall, a sum of from £8000 to £10,000 being aimed at as an endowment additional, to the Probert . trust; to open- subscription' lists forthwith, and to take no steps toward founding the hall until funds have been Contributed or accumulated for the purpose. Mr G. A. Buttlo, treasurer of the institution, was thanked for his past services and reappointed to the position.

Deputations were received from the Temperance Committee of the Presbyterian Church and the Auckland Ministers' Association. Rev. Mr Miller spoke on behalf cf the former and Eev. R. L. Walker for the latter. These were replied to by Revs. W. J. 'Willianis and C. H. Garland.

The following notices of motion were tabled by Eev. P. W. fniroloiigh:—(l) " This Conference, thanks and congratulates the , Prime Minister, Sir Joseph (i. Ward, upon the Gaming Act, which ho courageously carried through Parliament. Conference .hopes and believes that the act will bo an effective engine of social improvement." 'The following report of the Foreign Misaidn? Committee wasadopted; — "Theresults of the year's work show a steadily increasing interest in this department. The financial returns .indicate a buoyancy 'which is most encouraging. It is evident the Church has not yet touched high water mark in regard to its missionary income. The contributions in circuits are gradually improving! each, district showing an advance on the previous year, whilst the receipts from legacies and other sourcas brine; up a total of £2601 19s sd, an increase of £624 7s< 3d over 1906. Eight additional Native agents have been allotted to supporters in New Zealand. The total number on the register is 57. The list requires - revision, and the secretary'is in correspondence with J the head office on the matter. Miss Florence Thompson, from Dannevirke, has just joined the European staff at Übuia Training Institution, New Guinea. She enters upon her work with exceptional qualifications, having had eight years' experience in the Education Department of the Dominion. Her support has been undertaken by the New South Wales Ladies' iiuxiliary. Urgent requests for additional workers come from all the mission fields. Several young missionaries should be sent immediately. The death by drowning of the Rev. Colin Blanzard is the first from lhis cause during the. long history of the Fiji. Mission—a remarkable testimony to the prwerving care of the Father of us all. The Olago Ladiea' Auxiliary deserves special recognition for the work it has done during the year. Its contributions to the fund have been nearly double those of the previous year. The* Rev. George Brown, D.D.. general secretary of foreign missions, retires frori active service immediately. His splendid services to the cause of missions will always be remembered with appreciation by New Zealanders. Throe legacies have been received during the year, amounting to £426 6s 6d. Tho execiitrices of the late J as. Wilkinson, of Wellington, prefer a strong and urgent request that the amount of the legacy under his will (£300) be invested in New Zealand."

It was decided that in future moro attention should be given to the smaller outstations, and that for the purpose of quickening greater interest in the foroign mission work in the district a deputation be ecrit to the West Coast during 1908. Hearty appreciation was expressed of the work of the Otago Ladies' Auxiliary, and a vote of thanks to the ex-president of the Conference for his efficient services informing la<lie3 missionary auxiliaries was carried. Thanks were also expressed to the Rev. R. M. Layerty for his deputation work, and to the secretary (the Rev. J. Newman Buttle). The Rev. \V. E. and Mrs Brownlow, of New Guinea, are to be invited to como to New Zealand and hold a 6ories of conventions in the various centres.

The President informed the Conference that ho had that day received a draft from an anonymous donor for £100—£50 to be handed to the Foreign Missions and £50 for Home Missions.

The affairs of Prince Albert College were discussed in committee. The lease of the college property wae reported and approved.

The greater part of the afternoon was taken up with the consideration of home mission affairs, and eventually it was remitted back to the committee, and in all probability will como beforo Conference to-morrow.

Business concerning the Outlook was completed. The Rev. J. Ward received the best thanks of the Conference for his services' as editor, and unanimous reappointment. The President referred to the skilful manner in which the convener of the committee (Mr E. Rosevear) had conducted the business before tho Conference yesterday, and, amidst applause, the convener wa? accorded the thanks of thc'Conierencg

Tho Royal Albert Hall in tho ovoning was crowded when the Conference wus invited to a promenade convorea2iono. It was a inost i successful function. The president presided. ' Tho speakers were tho Rov. William Ready and Mr J. P. Arnold, M.P.