Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 2410, 10 May 1900, Page 9

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held on the Ist, and attended by the Moderator (the Rev. T. Paulin), and the Revs. W. "Will, J. M. M'Kerrow, A. M. Finlayson (clerk), I. Jolly, D. Borrie, W. Scorgie, I. K. M'lntyre, D. Dutton, J. Gibb, E. C. Tennent, A. Cameron, A. Greig, J. Kirkland, W. Hewitson (ministers), Messrs D. Thomson, J. Waugh, W. Couston, G. Reid, W. Hutton, H. Wise, W. Grant, T. Edmiston, and A. Cameron (elders).

EOSLYN SEEVICES,

The Rev. Mr Jolly introduced a deputation from a committee of Roslyn people appointed by the presbytery in connection with church services at Roslyn. The deputation consisted of Messrs ."W. Gow, A. C. Begg, and A. Matheson. The Rev. Mr Jolly added that after the last meeting of presbytery the committee met and took steps to secure a site. They had been considering another site, but it was not available. They also prepared plans for the proposed church, and the building would be of a character suita^e for a church or Sunday school.

Mr Gow 'said that, so far as indications went, there was every prospect of a satisfactory congregation being established. The collections had been sufficient to pay expenses, and the attendance had been even better than the collections. The district was growing rapidly, and' within the past two or three yearri 40 or 50 houses had been built in the immediate vicinity of the proposed church. The Wesleyans had already got their church built, and were in full possession of the field, and the committee felt that, the eomnnmity -being more largely Presbyterian than anything else, they should set to work to establish, a church also. The site was* church nro-

. perty, and was in a good position. It comprised about three-quarters of an acre. The "building was estimated to cost about £500, and would be built of wood.

The plans were approved of, and it was decided to recommend the synod to make the necessary grants.

THE CHINESE CHURCH.

It was agreed,- on the application of the Rev. A. Don, to appoint the Revs. I. Jolly and W. Scorgie and Mr G. Reid additional assessors in connection with the Chinese church.

THE BEY. OT. BANNEEJIAN\

On the Motion of the Rev. Mr Finlayson, seconded by the- Rev. Mr Jolly, it was resolved as follows: — "The presbytery hear with pleasure that the University of Edinburgh has conferred the degree of p.D. on the Rev. "William Bannerman, one of the pioneer ministers of this church ; congratulate X)r Bannerman on this recognition of his /work and of his public usefulness, and trust that the church may long enjoy the benefit of this counsel and of such measure of work as ■his strength will enable him to perform."

HOME MISSIONS,

The remit on home missionaries was taken tip, and the committee appointed to consider the regulations reported and recommended /various amendments. The clause giving grower to missionaries of four years' standing to celebrate marriages and administer ithe eacrament of baptism, was, on the suggestion of the committee referred back for further consideration. \ The Rev. Messrs Gi'bb, Hewitson, Jolly, and fifcorgie were added to the committee, which WBB instructed to report to next meeting.

STfIATH-TAIEEI.

The Rev. Mr M'Kerrow reported on the proposed division of Strath-Taieri, and recommended that Hyde, Kokonga, and Lower Kyeburn should be formed into a mission station, and that Hukinga and Sutton should be united with Middlemarch. He stated that the deputation appointed to deal with the matter found the feeling at Hyde was very strongly against separating from Middlemarch till they could toll what would become of them. At Middlemarch there was a large meeting, and they were very strongly in favour of separation from Hyde. At the same time, he thought the deputation was of opinion that it was not absolute refusal on the part of the Hyde people to do as was suggested, but they wished to know how they would be supplied with services. It was resolved that the facts be laid before the synod's commission on boundaries, and that they be invited to take action.

THE BEY. MR» FAIEMAID's CALL.

"With regard to the Rev. Mr Fairmaid's call to South Taieri, it was reported that the call was signed by 59 members of the congregation and the concurrence by 47 adherents. On the motion of the Clerk, it was agreed to sustain the call and forward it to the presBytory of Clutha for presentation to Mr Fairmaid.

Messrs Paulin, M'Kerrow. and Mr Fleury were appointed .a commission to draw up reasons for the translation, anH to prosecute the call before the Presbytery of Clutha.