THE METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14461, 2 March 1909, Page 5

THE METHODIST CHURCH

annual conference. (From Our Special Correspondent.) ( f'-U.IXOTOX. March 1. -l-lie Conference met in representaliva session this morning. A letter of svmpatliy was. directed to be sent to lie\\ F W. Hoys, who is absent, through ill-health.' By a hearty and unanimous vote, it was decided to authorise the establishment, of a central mission in the Empire City. Negotiations are proceeding with the Victorian Umfereneo t 0 securp the service.* of the Maries Irego-ir, of Melbourne, as miwionw. The financing of tlio scheme is receiving the attention of the Conference, jiild much enthusiasm is being shown Of,iti (he project, it large and inlluen- ! . eomnuttee of ministers and' laymen liu-ving the matter in hand. the Mamikitti and MalniMiigi circuits vrore each divithxl into two. and the Upper limine* circuit. -nto three.

A committee of the chairmen of the districts, lln; secretary of the Conference, and Messrs ,1. Vcal'l (Auckland), l« J),x ™ (Wanganui), G. Tiller (WelJimrton), A. A. Lue.is (Nelson). J. A. Fleshcr (Canterbury), and E. Royc-vear (Otago) was up i 0 meet, during the ve'ir to consider llie rc-adjustmeni of the boundaries of the various church districts throughout the Dominion, and to report to synods. it WW decided to iipitoinf. a home llli;--sionary 1-0 l'ictoii, mid to withdraw the o-gont from lyumara. the latter becoming part nf the (Jreymoiith circuit. °

The general secretin}- of church properties presented his annual report. It showed, as compared with tlw rehires of ISO 7, considerable increases, the principal of which were as follow:—Church and parsonage sites, £3712 19s; erection and enlargement of churches, £3026 0s 8d; erection and enlargement of fchoolrooms and parsonages, £1396 6s 6d; other buildings, £3008 3s 6d total increase. £11,573 9s Bd. The total value of church and parsonage properties in the Dominion was £580,860 9s 3d.

J lie Connexior.al Fire Insurance Fund was shown to !.-■> ai a healthy condition. J.lie. total in<i;:niila value of church property on wiiiuh levies are levied' is £151,855.

Tin; I inircli Building- and Loan Fund granted loans amounting to £1890 durina the year. d

The Rev. If. Bull was re-appointed connexioiMl secretary, and was especially thanked for the etticient maimer iiv wliioh lie- had discharged his duties.

Messrs W. 1). Buttler (Auckland), W. T. liowan (Fielding), T. H. CorkiJl (Wellington), J. Boon (Nelson), C. E. Salter (Christcllurch), E. Rosevea-r (Dunedin) were re-appointed secretaries of church properties in tJieir '-espective districts, 'llie Rev. 11. Bull was re-appointed- as the authorised representative, and Mr G. H. Blackwell as lay treasurer of the Clmroi Building aJid Loan Fund. Friendly greetings were exchanged] -witlr tlie New South Wales Conference.

The Conference met in pastoral session at 5 p.m.

The Revs. F. Copetand, A, 0. Sanderson, M.A., and R. Richards irero received into full connexion. The Revs. J. R. Cbii-, P. R. Paris, C. Roberts, W, H. E, Abbey, w. E. Avery, C. Blair, H. Aj G. Keek, W. G. Mas'lin, W. B. Scott, G. Scadden, R. H, Wylie, E. T. Cox, 0. B. Jordan, 8.A., J. F. Martin, F. Rands, W. 11. Speer, R. B. Tinsley, and J. B. Beeehe were passed in their respective years of nrobation, Messrs A. F. Burchell ailrl N. Turner were received 06 probationers for immediate emploj'inent in circuit work. Messrs A. Allen, W., A. liurley. J. D. M'Arthur, J. Richards, C. H. Olds, and 11. L. Richards, students in; training, are to continue for another year. Messrs C. L. Carr, M. J. F.vans, B. GoSnell, G. B. Hinton, W. Lea, A. : H. Striven, and \V. A. Watson wero received as candidates for the ministry. The Rev. A. J. Sea-mer, who has for four years beer engaged in work among the Maoris, is to resume European work. The Revs. W. C. Oliver, D. M'NicoU, and S, J. (iarlick were made permanent .supernumeraries, and the Rev. T. E„ Thomas, M.A., a supernumerary for one vear.

In the evening a Methodist men's banquet was held in the concert room of the Town Hall, and was attended by 330 men. It was a unique gathering—the'first of its kind held in New Zealand. The Rev. C'., IT. Ga.rlan<l presided, and after the toast of "The King " had been honoured, three stirring addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr Slade {" The' Contribution of Methodism to Modern Life"), Mr 11. N. Holmes ('"Hie Call of the Methodist; Church to its T/iymw "). and the Rev. C. 11. Laws, B.A. ("Oar Programme for'the Next.Five Years"). The meeting was an unqualified succsw, and one of the most memorable ever he'd in connection witli the Church for many years.