CENTRAL OTAGO PRESBYTERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 11

CENTRAL OTAGO PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery o£ Central Otago mes at Alexandra on Tuesday last, the Rev, A. R. Chisholm acting as moderator. Motions of sympathy ■with the relatives of the late Rev. W. T. Todd, and of Mr T. Ramsay were passed, members standing in silent tribute. The Rev. J. Robertson reported having allocated to congregations their proportion of the budget requirements for 1929-30. He also read a statement from the general treasurer showing that the contributions from Central Otago Presbytery to the budget schemes for the, 16 months ended October 31 had been highly satisfactory. A call from Cashmere Hills to the Rev. J, Robertson was read along with documents from the Christchurch Presbytery. The call was signed by S 3 communicants and 15 non-communicants. A stipend of £350 per annum was offered, with house allowance, and annual holiday of one month, and removal expenses np to £25. The Revs. J. Collie and J. S. Young supported the call on behalf of Christchurch Presbytery, and Messrs J. Smart, W. R. Mechaelis, F. Bould, and William Bringans expressed the view of* the Alesandra-Clyde congregation. On behalf of the congregation, Mr Smart submitted a resolution, which was passed at a recent meeting of the congregation, presided over by the Rev. A, R. Chisholm, Mr J. Robertson said he had earnestly considered the call, and had decided to accept it, if placed in his hShds by the presbytery. The Rev. J. Collie led in prayer, andthereafter ,it was moved, seconded and agreed to that the call he placed in Mr Robertson's hands. ’ Mr Robertson formally accepted the call, and it was agreed that the pastoral tie be dissolved as from the date of induction to Cashmere. The Rev. A. R. Chisholm was appointed interim moderator of the Alexandra-Clyde congregation, and the Revs. A. Don and J. S. Young were appointed to prepare a minute of appreciation of Mr Robertson’s services. Mr Young was appointed clerk of presbytery in place of Mr Robertson. The clerk read a statement from the Sustentation Fund Committee giving the assessments for the year. The presbytery , agreed to request the committee to increase the grant to Lauder by £ls for one year. The Revs. J. Collie, A. H. Whelldon, and'A. Don were appointed to examine congregational balance sheets. At a later stage of the meeting they presented a satisfactory report. - The Rev. H. Graham reported, on. presbytery statistics, intimating that it wasdifficult to make comparisons, owing to , the fact that the last period was for 16 months.—The report was received. The Rev. J. Robertson read the report of a commission appointed to conduct a Presbyterial visitation to The

Eev. A. E. Chisholm, the other member of the commission, also spoke, and the following finding was adopted by presbytery:—"Having heard the report of the commission which visited Arrowtown parish <on December 12, 1929, the presbytery expresses its high appreciation of the capable, earnest, and faithful service being rendered to the congregation by Mr M. Jackson. It is pleased to note that work among the young people of the con-: gregation is being carried on with vigour and enthusiasm, there being two Bible classes, a Young Worshippers’ League, a Hive of Busy Bees, and a Sunday School,including a kindergarten department, l i ■ presbytery is glad to learn that the missionary work of the' church is kept prominently before the congregation, and that there is an active branch of the P.W.M.U., which meets , monthly,. and which makes itself responsible for the collection of funds for ’ the missionary schemes of the church. While regretting that owing to removals from the district, the ordinary revenue tends to decrease, the presbytery congratulates the officebearers on the present financial position, and suggests that the £IOO, which was derived from a recent, legacy, be not used for ordinary church purposes, but be set aside, as a nucleus of a manse building fund. The presbytery agrees to the resolution of the congregation that the parish be recognised as a regular home mission station, and that it be assessed accordingly. The presbytery desires to thank the Rev. Collie, moderator, for the keen interest he takes in the affairs of the parish. The presbytery is pleased to learn that Mr Jackson is pursuing his studies in connection with the Otago University, and commends him, his wife, and all workers to God, and prays that they may be encouraged in the work. It calls upon the congregation to go forward with expectancy and hopel” The Eev. J. Collie was appointed to read the finding to the. congregation. The Rev. A. M*Neur .was nominated as moderator of the synod and the Eev. A, B. Todd as moderator of the General Assembly. The following ministers were elected to represent the prelbytery at the General Assembly:—The Revs. S. D. Baird, J. Collie, A. R. Chisholm, A. Don, J. Robertson, and Mr James Smith (Mount Ida session).

The Rev. S. D. Baird was appointed to the committee on records, and the Rev, A. R. Chisholm to the committee on standing committee. An application from. the Ida Valley parish for a septennial grant for church repairs (Poolburn) was approved. An application from the Mount Ida parish for a septennial grant for church repairs (Ranfurly), was approved. An application from the Earnscleugh Committee of the Alexandra-Clyde parish for the renewal of a grant for a new church at Earnscleugh, sanctioned by the synod on March 27, 1929, was approved. An application from Arrowtown re* questing a grant of £3O from the Home Mission Committee was approved. The clerk read a letter from the Supply and Appointments Committee agreeing to the appointment of the Rev. S. D, Baird to Patearoa-Waipiata for three years from November 12, 1929.

The clerk intimated chat the tejm of Mr Chisholm’s appointment to Cromwell, which began on December 21, 1926, had now expired.—lt was agreed that the consideration of a reappointment be deferred to the next ordinary meeting, and that in the meantime the Rev. C. M. Sullivan be asked to consult with the Cromwell congregation. The clerk read a letter from the Alexandra Committee stating that October 31 was unsuitable as a date for ending the financial year of the congregation, and asking that the former date, June 30, be reverted to. —It was agreed to forward the letter to the assembly. It was agreed to forward to tlfc general treasurer a letter from the Ida Valley Committee concerning the insurance of church motor cars, asking him to bring the letter under the notice of the committee concerned. The Rev, J. Robertson intimated that the Rev. G. Budd (the new moderator of the General Assembly) was a native of Drybread in the Lauder parish, and suggested that the presbytery should invite Mr Budd to visit the parishes in the presbytery his term or oi as moderator. Mr Robertson said he wa» sure the people of Central Otago would welcome Mr Budd, and would feel honoured in the honour that had come to him; and that his visit would be a means of inspiration to the parishes in the presbytery.—lt was agreed that the suggestion be adopted. Mrs J. Young was appointed to represent the presbytery at the Dominion Council of Sunday School Teachers. - The Rev. A. R, Chisholm reported on the missionary work of the church.—Th» report was received and Mr Chisholufc thanked. It was agreed that the next ordinary 1 meeting he held at Alexandra on May 20f