CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20901, 16 December 1929, Page 6

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

MONTHLY MEETING. A meeting of the Clutba Presbytery was held at Balclutha on Friday last. The Rev. W. J. Bevis presided over a good attendance. The Rev. A. V. G. Chandler referred to the severe loss the Moderator (the Rev F. M‘Donahl, Kaitangata) had suffered in the death of his wife, and moved a vote of sympathy. This was seconded by the Rev. W. F. Evans, who intimated the arrangements made to fill the pulpit at Kaitangata till the ea 1 ’ of the year. The clerk referred to the deaths of Messrs W. Smaill and G. Aitchison, ciders, of Kaitangata, and moved that a vote of sympathy be accorded to the relatives. These motions having been adopted, the Rev. H. H. Barton led the Presbytery in prayer. * The clerk read a letter from the Assembly’s Theological Committee in regard to the vacant chair in the Theological Hall, and it was agreed that the Presbytery cordially recommend the name of Rev. J. Collie, M.A., Queenstown, for the position. The clerk reported on behalf of the committee appointed for budget allocation, and it was' agreed to accept the allocations made to congregations, and instruct the clerk to notify the treasurers of the allocations ns reported. Mr Ciime reported on the quarter million fund, and it was unanimously agreed that no steps be taken in regard to it in the meantime. It was agreed to recommend a grant of £2O to the Gatlins Home Mission Station, and one of £2O to Lovell’s Flat for student supply. It was also agreed to recommend to the Home Mission Committee, that Mr J. N. Reid, home missionary in the Catlins district, be ordained at the first opportunity. Thu following recommendations were made in regard to sustentation fund assessments:—Lovell’s Plat £?BS, Clutha Valley and Owaka £275, Waiwera £270, and Clutha-Wnrepa £255. In the case of Milburn it was agreed that the assessment for the meantime remain at £240. It was also agreed to recommend that if th. equal dividend be advanced to £3OO the assessment for Waitahuna should stand at £295. The following recommendations for synod grants were passedMilbum. Bluespur, and Kaka Point for church repairs, and Kaitangata, Waihola, and Waiwera for manse repairs. The Rev. H. H. Barton and Mr P. Bishop (elder) were appoint d a commission to deal with the question of the boundaries of Waihola and Milburn, and to report to next presbytery. T’ e Rev. W. R. Hume (interim moderator) laid on the table a call from the Clutha Valley congregation to Mr H. A. Mitchell, 8.A., a probationer. The cab was signed by 58 communicants and 48 adherents. Messrs E, Hayman and W. R. Benny testified to the heartiness and unanimity of the call, and affirmed that the charge was eagerly awaiting the coming of Mr MitchelL It was a new charge, and an extensive one, and required a young and vigorous minister. It was agreed that the call b.e sustained, and presented to .Mr Mitchell for his acceptance. The clerk intimated that in the event of the call being ustained he was authorised to accept on Mr Mitchell’s behalf. The ordination and induction were fixed for Thursday, February 27, the Rev. W. F. Evans to preach, the Rev. H. H. Barton to addres., the mi ister, and the Rev. A. M’Neur to address the people, while the Rev. W. R, Hume was to preside and induct. It was agreed that the cordial thanks of the presbytery be accorded to Mr John Reid, of Balclutha, for the services he had rendered to Clutha Valley charge. Mr Parlane, editor of the O.KP, in the Outlook, introduced Miss Edna Moffat, of Te Houkn, .o the presbytery. Miss Moffat has for the second time won the Nellie Clcghorn prize. Last year she received a medal, and this year a gold-mounted pencil, which was presented to her by Mr Parlane on behalf of the donor. The moderator conveyed to Miss Moffat the hearty congratulations and good wishes of the presbytery. The Rev. Roy Alley reported on*Sunday school examinations, and gave the names of those who headed the lists in the presbytery:—Division A; Beverley King, Lawrence. Division B: Myra Flett, Waitahuna. Intermediate C: Inn Murdoch, Waitahuna. Junior C: Marion Ponder, Lawrence. Junior D : Ruby Carruthers, Lovell’s Flat. Division F; Reba Grigg, Lawrence. Division G: Alexandrian Ponder, Lawrence. Special mention was made of Beverley King, who was second in the division throughout the church, and of Alexandrina Ponder, who was third. The, Rev. H. H. Barton reported that Mr D. Walker, of Lawrence, had completed 50 years of service as a Sunday school teacher, and asked that his name be forwarded for a long-service diploma. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr M'Neur, that the cle.! - be asked to write a letter of thanks to Mr J, Hamilton Thomson, Milton, who is retiring from the office of church treasurer in Toko mairiro, for the long and valuable ser vices he has rendered to the church. Mr Barton moved a vote of congratula tion to the congregations of Tokomairiro. luchclutha, Warcpa, Puerna, and South Molyneux on the great success that had attended the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the first services for worship held in these districts which formed the earliest preaching centres of the Rev. W, Bannerman, the pioneer minister in the region south of Waihola.