METHODIST SYNOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17502, 19 December 1918, Page 5

METHODIST SYNOD

EVENING SESSION. THE PEOHEBITION ISSUE.

"Temperance and Public Morals" was the first item on the agenda at last nigit'a session.

Upon the motion of the Rev. C. Eaten, a resolution was adopted expressing the " strong conviction " of the Synod that the abolition of the manufacture and sale of spirituous liquors would confer an incalculable beneiit upon the community, andY urging upon Methodists in the Otago dis-"" trict the duty of seizing the opportunity afforded by the approaching licensing poll of ridding tho dominion of its "chiefest, enemy to progress and prosperity." The Synod was addressed by the Rev. R. * S. Gray (president of the New Zealand Alliance and dominion organiser of the present prohibition campaign) upon the matter of tho approaching licensing poll, a strong appeal being made to tho Methodist Church to provide workers for the campaign. A committee was appointed! to endeavour to make arrangements for ministerial assistance beiDg given from. Dunedia to the Oamaru circuit, in the event of the Rev. A. O. Lochore being liberated for three months for organising work in coanection with the prohibition campaign. CHURCH PROPERTIES. The report on church properties in tho district was presented by Mr E. Rosevear. Under the head of current income and expenditure the total income was reported at £5085, and the expenditure £5566. The credit balances carried forward totalled! £1093 9s 9d, and tho debts £1574- 3s lid. The insurance on buildings totals £35,555. Among improvements effected' during the year were included the enlargement and) alteration of Trinity's circuit property in Stuart street, where a primary department and two Bible class rooms had been built at a cost of £397 3s sd. At Waikouaiti a new parsonage and land had been secured n.t an outlay of £405. The Roxburgh circuit had benefited during the year to the extent of £771 17s in bequests. Considerable sums of money are held by different trusts for new erections when prices become normal, Milton trust havinfr £592 16s 3d in hand, and Port Chalmers £290 8s 3d. The secretary in his report congratulated the district on being in a much healthier financial condition than in the previous year. The Synod received! with deep regret the resignation of Mr E. Rosevear from the , district secretaryship of church properties after a tonure of the office extending over 13 years, and on the motion of the Rev. W. Greenslade. seconded by Mr J. B. Shacklociv, a minute was adopted expressing , high appreciation of the admirable and capable way' in which Mr Roscveax had served the church in this capacity. It was decided to recommend to conference the appointment of Mr D. G. Cameron,, jun., as a successor to Mr Rosevear, DENOITDfATIbITAL SCHOOLS. A Conference Committee recommended the establishment at any early date of a secondary school in each island of the dominion tinder the auspices of Methodist Church, and that committees be set up in Auckland and Christchurch to consider the best means of establishing such schools. . It wos decided to Tecommcnd conference to defer consideration of this matter for a year.