DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 9

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary quarterly meeting of tho Dunedin Presbytery was held on the sth ; present — The Roy. I. K. M'lntyre (moderator), the Revs. Gibb, Scorgie, Will, Paulin, Borrie, Cameron, Tennent, Hewitson, Greig. and Christie, and Messrs Reid. Couston, Wise, W. Button, A. Fleming, W. Grant, and the Rev. Mr Finlaygon (clerk to the presbytery).

HAVEXBBOURNE

After formal business, a deputation was received from Ravensbourne asking for a retention of the services of the Rev. Dr Nicolson. Mes3rs Rose, Duff, and Wipe spoke in favour of the application, referring to the valuable nature of the work done by Dr Nicolson. The Rer. Mr Will moved a motion in the direction of acceding to the request, and the Rev. W. Hewityon moved an amendment to the effect that the petition lie on the table for three months ; but after some discussion both these were withdrawn in favour of the following motion by the Roy. Mr Cameron: — "That the presbytery meet the congregation of Rprensbourne with respect to the matter of the petition." This was carried, and it was decided to hold the meeting on Monday, December 18, at Ravensbourne, at 7 p.m.

HINDOX AND I,EK STREAM.

A petition was received from the Committee of Management at Middlemarch and the Session of Strath'-Taieri requesting that Hindon and Lee Stream be transferred from the oversight of the minister and session, StrathToieri and aesigned to one of the Taieri ministers.

The Rev. Mr Borrie moved, and the Rev. Mr Tennent seconded, and it was agreed, that a deputation visit the Hindon and Lee Stream districts and report to next meeting — the deputation to consist of the Rev. Mr Kirkland and the Rev. Mr Pnulin.

It was reported that attention had been directed to the fact that a large number of men are employed on tho Otago Central railway.

It was moved by the R«v. Mr Cameron, and seconded by Mr Reid, that the Rev. Mr Waters be requested to go up for a month and report to. the presbytery through the Rev. Mr Borrie.

AX IHRISGULARITT.

Tho Clerk reported as to having received a letter from Mr F. Wilkinson, and as the matter had not been cent through the session, it was decided to draw the attention of the writer to th© necessity of this being done.

LICENSING A STUDENT. Mr David N. Pryor appeared and gave in the prescribed discourses which were reported on by the R«v. Messrs Jolly, Gibb, M'Kerrow, and Hewitson. Mr Pryor read a portion of the trial dincourses. — The presbytery having taken a conjoint view of tho trials, agreed heartily to sustain the same. The prescribed questions were th«n put to Mr Pryor, and he gave liatiefactory answers to the sanoo and signed the formula. The Moderator suitably addressed the candidate for license, and Mr Cameron having led the presbytery in prayer, the Moderator, according to the usual form and by the authority of the presbytery, licensed a*xl authorised Mr Pryor to preach the Gospel. The brethren then gave him the right hund of fellowship. The Rev. Mr Hewitson moved, and Mr Reid seconded, that the Theological College Committee be asked ip consider the licensing of students, with a view to the offering of suggestions, so as to make it a more impressive service. The Rev. Mr Borrie introduced the Rev. Mr Gray, lately arrived from Scotland, bearing a commission from the Free Church Colonial Committee. He was duly welcomed by the moderator and brethren. The presbytery adjourned till the 18th in»t., at Ravensbourne.