DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18787, 14 February 1923, Page 3

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

The first meeting of the year of the Dunedin Presbytery was held at First Church yesterday morning. The Moderator, the Rev. W. R. Hutchison presided.

The Rev. T. E. Riddle, missionary from the Punjab, India, was welcomed to the Presbytery. Professor Davies was welcomed back from the Old Land. LEAVT OF ABSENCE.

The Rev. E. Adams, of Cltalmers Church, reported that his attempt to resume work at the end of last year had proved unsuccessful, and that ho was at present unfit to carry out his duties. He had intended to resign, but the congregation had urged him to delay for a period of six months, lie therefore asked that six months’ leave of absence bo granted him. Mr Mathioson, session dork of Chalmers Church, further explained the position, and said that for some time Mr Adams had been unfit for vigorous work. Nevertheless, ho had succeeded in increasing the congregation from a mere handful to a satisfactory number. Air Adams hud expressed his intention of resigning, but the doctor had assured him that there was good hope of his making satisfactory recovery. Every individual in the congregation had been anxious that Mr Addnis should continue to bo associated with them, and so they asked that six months’ leave should be • grantor) him so that he might have opportunity to recover.—On the motion of the Rev. Professor Gumming it was decided to grant the application and express earnest hopes for Air Adams’s recovery.—The Rev. J. Kilpatrick paid a tribute to Chalmers congregation for its exemplary loyalty to and consideration of its minister. —Dr Gumming was appointed moderator of the charge. REV. G. 11. BALFOUR’S RESIGNA-

TTON. Tho following letter was received from tlio Rev. G. H. Balfour: '‘l hereby hand in my resignation of the pastoral charge of First Church to the Presbytery. After 12 years of work here, covering tho whole period of the war, I have become somewhat 'run down,’’ and my medical advisers in Dunedin and in Melbourne both agree that I must have rest, and change during the greater part of this year. I take this step with groat regret. My relations with the congregation of First Church have been of the happiest kind, and 1 am assured that there has never been more loyalty or unity than there is to-day. I also much regret severing my connection with the Presbytery of Dunedin. During all the time that I have been associated with tho Presbytery 1 have much appreciated tho brotherly spirit which has been invariably manifested towards me. If this time is suitable to the Presbytery and the congregation, I should like the resignation to take effect at tho end of March. I am thankful to say that I am assured by tho doctors that with mno months rest and change my health will bo completely restored, and I shall bo able to undertake whatever work may offer.” Tho Rev. J. Kilatrick said it was with the greatest regret that tho Presbytery received this document. That was not the timo for discussion, except in regard to matters of order. Ho moved that the Presbytery receive the resignation, and that the following bo appointed a committee to consult the minister, office-bearers, and congregation and report,: The ' Rovs. W. Trotter (convener), Jupp, and J. Kilpatrick, and Messrs W. Govv and P. L. Clark. Tho motion was carried.

FINANCE. A report from the Finance Committee was submitted by Mr W. Cow. The committee recommended the approval of the application from Kensington lor a grunt for church repairs; the renewal of the grant for manse repairs at Purakanui; the approval of the application for a grant for painting and church repairs at Pukehiki, and the declining of an application for a grant towards alteration of church vestry; the declining of an application for a further grant from Cavcrsham; the declining of an application for a grant of illOO from West Harbour; and the approval of applications for grants from the Seacliff-Warrington charge.—The report was adopted.

The application from St. Stephen’s for the quinquennial grant for upkeep was granted. GENERAL. An invitation from St. Andrew’s Session to bo present at a gathering in celebration of its diamond jubilee on March 12 was received with thanks, and (lie present Moderator, the Rev. W. R. Hutchison, was appointed to represent the Presbytery on that occasion.

The committee on the appointment of committees repotted, and committees were appointed with the following conveners: Finance, Mr \V Gow; Kvongelistic, Rev. T. Yuillo; Ecclesiastical, Rev. \V. Trotter; Youth, Rev. A. M. Beattie; Chaplains, Rev. W. R. Hutchison; Public Questions, Rev. Dr Cameron; Licensing of Students, Rev. J. J. Cairncy; Tem’poranoe, Rev. T. Yuille; Seaside Resorts, Rev. W. Scorgie. Brief reports were received from the moderators of (ho following vacant charges and homo mission .stations: —Maori Hill, Warrington-Soacl iff. South Taieri, North Taiori, Sawyers’ Bay, Brighton, Opoho, and Hindoo.

The Rev. J. Collie, of North Invercargill, was nominated as moderator of tiro Synod of Otago and Southland, Tho moderator and clerk and Mr P. E. Clark were appointed to represent tho Presbytery in convoying greeting and felicitations to tho Methodist Conference shortly to assemble in Dunedin. Messrs G. A. Naylor, \V. Kinmont, R. T. Dodds, and J. M. Bates were granted presbyterial certificates on entering on their theological studies.