PRESBYTERY OF CLUTHA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24850, 25 February 1942, Page 7

PRESBYTERY OF CLUTHA

The Clutha Presbytery met in Balclutha on Friday last, the moderator, the Rev. A. R. Harper, presiding. Presbytery visitations were arranged lor the year to the parishes of Kaitangata, Uwaka, Tokomairiro, and WaiweraWarepa. The Rev. F. W. Winton advised the presbytery that Mr Ron McNeur, a son of the Rev. William McNeur, of Tuapeka Mouth, and an acknowledged student for the ministry, had recently completed his M.A, The moderator extended the presbytery's congratulations to Mr McNeur. Mr Winton was elected moderator of presbytery for the ensuing six months. The retiring moderator expressed his appreciation of the co-operation he had received from members of presbytery during his term of office, and welcomed the new moderator. Correspondence was received from the Centenary Fund Board, stating that in order to discourage congregations from accumulating debt In the future, loans of £IOO. or more must receive the approval of the board, and that at least 50 per cent, of the proposed amount must be raised by the congregations before permission would be given. The consent of the board must be obtained througls presbytery. The director of missions wrote informing the presbytery that, in response to the appeal of the moderator of the General Assembly for full-time lay workers during the war period, several men had offered their services. Congregations were asked to communicate 'with the missions office should assistance of this kind be required. A commission to the Waihola-Milburn Home Mission Station reported that the position was satisfactory at present, and that the existing arrangements would stand until the end of the financial year, when a review of the work there might be necessary. Reports on the vacancies at Popotunoa. South Clutha and the Catlins showed that, although a satisfactory supply had been available in the past, the return of the divinity students to their year's work next month would create some difficulty in carrying on the work. In view of the shortage of ministers during the war period, It was recommended that the parishes concerned should consider temporary measures in the way of lay supply or amalgamation where possible as a means of easing the increasingly difficult problem of staffing the many vacant charges in New Zealand. Special mention was made of the good work which had been done in two of the vacant parishes by Messrs J. G. Gardiner and D. Steedman. The Rev. A. R. Harper, convener ol the Life and Work Committee, reported on the campaign for Christian order, and outlined the course the campaign would take during the year.