PRESBYTERY MEETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 3

PRESBYTERY MEETING

NEW HOSPITAL DISCUSSED Messrs T. Somerville (convener) and A. M. Elliffe (superintendent) were present at the Oamaru Presbytery meeting yesterday morning to give an indication to the members of the progress made with the proposed new ’ Presbyterian Social Service Association hospital in Oamaru. The Rev, L. W. Rothwell (moderator) was in Ihe chair. The estimated cost of the hospital, Mr Somerville said, was approximately £40,000, and mainly as the result of generous bequests, half of this amount was in sight. The Dunedin committee was very optimistic about the building programme, and it was hoped to have the structure under construction by next March. The Rev. G. H. Jupp said that it was more than a possibility, but a probability that the building would be in an advanced stage of construction by this time next year. 'Mr Elliffe paid a tribute to the generosity of the North Otago people who had made contributions to the fund. He and the mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) had interviewed many church people in Oamaru and had met with an excellent response. The Rev. A. Murdoch’s Call A minute of appreciation of the services given by the Rev. A. Murdoch to the Presbytery of Oamaru was recorded. Mr Murdoch, who has accepted a call to Woodlands, was ordained in 1939 to be assistant to the late Dr T. Paterson at St. Paul's After two years’ experience there he was called to the parish of Herbert-Hampden. where, the minute stated, he proved himself an able minister and won the affection of his people. As a member of the Presbytery he gladly undertook any work assigned to him, and was commended for his skilful handling of a difficult interim-moderatorship.