PRESBYTERY OF DUNSTAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17727, 11 September 1919, Page 2

PRESBYTERY OF DUNSTAN

The Dunstan Presbytery met on Monday at Ranfurly, the- Moderator (Rev. J. Standring) presiding. There was a good attendance, and Mr A. H. Lennox, of Waipiata, being present, was welcomed by the Moderator. It was decided to postpone decision concerning the alteration of the namo of Proshytery to "Central Otago" till tho nest meeting. Application for grant for manse repairs from tile Lauder charge was received and approved, and an application from the Cromwell charge was referred to the commissioners visiting that charge. Similar action was taken in connection with tho Sustentation Fund of tho Cromwell charge. A letter from tho Rev. Dr Gibb was received requesting tho Presbytery to raise £10 as its quota towards sending an itinerminister through tho back-blocks of tho South Island, and it was decided to request sanctioned charges to contribute £1 5s and homo mission stations £1. A letter was read from tho clerk of tho Timaru Presbytery intimating that tho Rev. J. T. Gunn had been inducted to the Pleasant Point charge. A report of Mr Gunn's tragic death having been given, tho Moderator and clerk stated that a telegram and letter of sympathy had been sent to the widow. A lengthy and sympathetic memorial minute relating to the character and work of tho Rev. J. T. Gunn was proposed by tho Rev. A.- V. G. Chandler, seconded by the Rev. G. D. Falconer, and carried by an upstanding vote. A circular and petition form were received on behalf of State assistance for the blind, and it was decided to commend tho effort to the various congregations. Tho Row A. V. G. Chandler was appointed Presbytery representative on thx> Chaplains' Committee. The following representatives were appointed for General Assembly, to meet in November at Invei-eargill:—Revs. Standring, Falconer, Bloomfield, Rankin, and Chandler, with Messrs M'Lean and M'Kellar and elders to he appointed from Teviot, Patcaroa, and Strath-Taieri charges. Tho Rev. D. Dutton and Rev. S. W. Currio were proposed for Moderator of General Assembly, and on the casting vote of tho chairman Mr Currio was nominated. Reports of tho vacant charges of Patearoa, Teviot, and Ida Valley having been submitted by their respective Moderators, it wa3 decided to congratulate tho various who wore endeavouring to supply j their ministers with up-to-dato means of con- | veyanco. j The Moderator of tho Ida Valley home mission charge was instructed to ascertain j tho mind of tho congregation concerning the future of the charge. 'Die Roys, standring and Falconer were j appointed a commission to make an official visit to the Cromwell and Wanaka charges, and the Revs. Bloomfield and Falconer were appointed to a similar duty in the Lauder charge. I The Rev. W. Grav Dixon, Moderator of General Assembly, having agreed to tour the Presbytery during the first weeks of October, tho matter of itinerary was left in the hands of Presbytery clerk. Tho Presbytery having adjourned and met again at 7.30, the Moderator introduced Mr Lochore, organiser for tho forthcoming prohibition campaign, who addressed the Presbytery at some'length. Various arrangements were made, and the speaker was thanked for his address.

Circulars from the Rev. G. Budd were read regarding redectication mission, and it was decided to leave the arrangement of missions in the hapds of tho respective ministers and kirk sessions. An application was received from Mr A. H. Lennox for a- license. ' Tho interimModerator of the Patearoa charge (Rev. Falconer), where Mr Lennox is successfully labouring, proposed, and the Rev. Mr Chandler seconded, that tho application bo recommended, and this -was unanimously adopted. Sister Nora's visit on behalf of the P.S.S.A. was left with the individual ministers to arrange. The interim acts to be presented at Synod in Invercargill wero discussed, and the Revs. Falconer and Bloomfield moved and seconded—"That, while agreeing with tho appointments to the vacant chairs, we consider it inadvisable to make appointments to new professorial chairs until tho need is greater and tho financial position is assured." The matter of tho sale of the old Kyeburn Church was left with the minister and session of tho Mount Ida charge.