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Otago Witness, Issue 1598, 8 July 1882, Page 20

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held on Wednesday morning in the First Church. Present-Tho Moderator (Professor Salmond), Rev. Dr Stuart, Dr Copland, Rev. Messrs W. Will, M. Watt, Sutherland, J. M. Fraser, A. Gray, Michie, Ryley, and Kirkland, and Elders Barr and Martin. ELECTION OF MODERATOR Professor Salmond's term of office having expired, the Rev. J. M. Frascr was appointed Moderator for the ensuing year. GENERAL. Dr Stuart laid upon the table a rumber or copies of a work entitled "The Land and the Book," which had been sent as an anonymous gift by the author. A vote of thanks was passed to the donor. The Rev. Mr Watt applied for moderation in a call at South Dunedin, stating that there was every prospect of a harmonious settlement. Messrs D. Caddie and J. Cameron supported the application. On the motion of Dr Stuart 'it was agreed to grant the application ; the Presbytery to ' meet in the South Dunedin Church for the purpose on the evening of the 19th inst., when the Rev. Mr Michie will preside and preach a Bermon. , The Rev. Mr Watt was authorised to form a kirk session at Saddles Hill. The Rev. 0. S. Ross, of Anderson's Bay, -applied for leave of absence on account of ill health, which was unanimously granted, and it was decided to furnish occasional supply to his charge during his absence. Mr D. Wright was introduced to the Presbytery by the Rev. Dr Stuart ; and the Rev. A. Todd, of Oamaru, who was present, was associated with the Presbytery. FINANCIAL. It was resolved to raise the amount of tho Presbytery's bursary in tho same way as last year— the clerk being instructed to send notice to the Deacons' Courts. Some discussion took place on a remit on the ' present regulations of the Sustontatipn Fund. The Rev. Mr Will moved, and the Rev. Mr Kikkland seconded— "That the minimum amount to be contributed by each congregation be £175 instead of £150." This was met by an amendment moved by Dr Stuart and seconded by Professor Salmoxd, to the effect that the amount stand at £150. At this juncture the discussion of the matter was adjourned to tho meeting of the Presbytery to bo held on tho first Wednesday in ' August. . ' The total earnings of tho people of Great Bri'tian increased from £901,000,000 in 1870 to £1,150,000,000 in 1880, an increase of nearly £200,000,000, which equals nearly £6 por head of the entire population. The sardine has disappeared from the coast of Brittany, where it used to bring the fishermen an annual revenue of 15,000,000f. M. Blavier thinks that some change in the direction of the Gulf Stream may account for the fact. During the twelve years since the University of Minnessota was founded, the average attendance in the Department of Agriculture is said not to have exceeded one student a year, although a majority of the several hundred young men and women pursuing other courses in the institution have been the sons and daughters of farmers,