DUNSTAN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 8

DUNSTAN PRESBYTERY.

The regular quarterly meeting of this presbytery was held at Alexandra on the 27th June, the Rev. Mr Cumming, moderator. The Rev. Mr Gellie was appointed moderator for the ensuing term.

HOME MISSIONARIES. It was unanimously resolved on the motion of the Rev. Mr Cumming — "That this presbytery stroDgly disapproves of and protests against the proposed scheme of the Church Extension Committee regarding the employment and training of home missionaries as unnecessary and inexpedient."

It wan agreed to consider the following motion, of which notice was given by the Rev. Mr Lothian, at the September meeting : — "That while a onion of incorporation between the northern and southern Presbyterian Churches of New Zealand may be desirable, the time is not yet ripe for the consummation of such a union."

OVERTURE RH MARRIAGE DECEASBD WIFE'S SISTER. The Rev. Mr Cumming gave notice of the following overture :— " Whereas the opinion and practice of this church regarding marriage with a deceased's wife's sister, as set forth in her standards and embodied in her constitution, accord with the" opinion and practice of all the leading churoheu in Christendom ; and whereas certain P" 4 ? 6 . 8 , are now questioning the Scripturalness ot this law, it is respectfully overtured by the Presbytery of Dunstan to the Synod of Otago and Southland to take these premises into consideration and appoint a committee of synod to investigate this whole subject and consult with the other churches as to the desirability and possibility of effecting a change in this law."

GENERAL. After appointing assessors to form a kirk session for Wanaka the presbytery adjourned, to meet at Ophir on the third Wednesday of Sentember next.

Seme of the whisky from the recenfclyoaptured illicit still is said to have been traced to certain liconsed houses in Wellington and suburbs.

The Wellington Post of Thursdy says it has been shown a private letter from a London firm offering to undertake an English agency for the sale of Wanganui wines, in which the writers express the opinion that New Zealand wines are decidedly superior in quality to Australian, adding that they have taken experts' opinions, which confirm their own.

According to the statistics just to hand the population of the colony as at December 31, 1892 (exclusive of Maoris), was 345,146 malea and 305,287 females ;— total, 650,433. During 1893 there was an increase of births, 18,187, and by immigration 26,135; but we lost by death 6767 and by emigration 15,730. Thua the net gain 1 during 1893 was 21,832, and at the end of that year we had 357,635 males and 314,630 females ;— total, 672,265 Bouls.

The Woodville prohibitionists want to have the cost of defending actions against licensing committees placed on the consolidated revenue. In a will put in for probate at Chrißtchvrch the testator by a curious mix-up directed that his children should be deposited in the bank at interest until the youngest; attained the age of 21 years,