PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 28

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Fourth Day. TUe Presbyterian Synod remmed their sitting on Thursday morning-, the Moderator (the Rev. J. M. M'Kerrow) presiding. CHURCH ERECTION AND FIVANCE. Mr A. C. Begg, convener, bi ought forward the report of the Church Erection and Property Committee, recommending that certain grants bo approved of. The grants for church repairs at Mertoii, Biueskin, Waikouaiti, Maungatua, Papakaio, Port Molyneux, and Stirling were also approved ; also grants for new churches al Makarewa and Thornbury ; also additions to manses at Coromandel and South Taieri. The South Taieri claim cauped some criticism, chiefly directed to the question of whether South Taieri had not received a similar grant recently; but the claim was eventually passed. Cromwell's application for leave to sell sections was also approved. An application by Waikiwi for payment of a sum equal to an absolute giant of £300 for a. new mans© was met in the report by a recommendation that £12 10s, half the architect's fee, he granted, the committee holding that Waikiwi was not entitled to more.— This led to a lengthy discussion, the outcome of which was the carrying of a motion by the Rev. P. B. Frsser that Waikiwi receive £300 in addition to the value of the property sold. Mr Begg said that he felt very much tempted to say, in view of that resolution, that the synod would "have to get a new convener for the committee, because it meant that the whole thing would come to a standstill in a very short time. After this rcpoit was finished with he would resign, and leave the convenership m the hand*! of someone whose views would be treated with more respect. It would be well for members of synod to be more particular about this fund. He had heard of cases where the money granted had been 2iut into the bank and not used for the purpose for which it was voted. The Rev. W. Hewjtson called attention to this statement, and said that it should receive immediate consideration The <-ynod determined to tiuibh the re port firut. The nc\t item of tiie report was the committee's recommendation that, in view of the necessity for retrenchment, the quinquennial grant for manse repairs be reduced from £50 to £40. — Mr Begg moved this pro forma, but said that he thought the sum should be reduced to £25. — After discussion the report was approved, and the synod set up a committee to inquire into tho subject of grants for manse repairs. Un begg's resignation-. The Rev. W. Will said he wa- sure the synod as a whole had e\ory confidence in Mr Begg, and he (Mr Will) felt positive that there was not another msui in Dunedin or out of it who could so well discharge the duties that Mr Begg had undertaken.— (Appplauso.) He hoped that Mr Begg woul 1 continue to act for many years to come. — (Hear, hear.) Mr Bohr = aicl that ho was much obliged t<> Mr Will pud otliei members, but he miiat adhere to what lie had paid. He wished to he ielie\cd, becau=o he could s-te tiifit if things went on as they had been going they would Ret more and more in arrear. Some members of synod did not .seem to fe^l their responsibilities in tin* matter, and he was sorry to that it v, a> moro than hinted that some indulged in a little 'og-ro'lintj. The Rev. W. Hewitson directed attention l-o Mr Bejrg's statement. As he understood, Mr Bpffg said that lie had heard on good authority that there had been miappropriation of manse rrant fund-. lie would move — " That tl-e Finance Commit tee be instructed to investigate the tiuth of tin- statement, making u.quiiir 9 through the presbyteries rnnceriud, and leport to the i-ynod." It was not a hit of <ioad their ontimung n- a Chi Mian Church if that --ort of thing were to ho allowed to f>o nn. The charge fnr.jily amounted to a charge of Mealing. So tL\t there should !>e no misunderstanding, he would ask Mr Hogg whether he (Mr Hcwu on) h:,d fairly interpreted In* remark Mr Beg,? said that what he did sty «,hiliat in certain ea^es the ftianse grant "fund* had been used for other purport The. Rev. P. B. Fiu,e: =aid that Mi Recwa- shifting his groun.l Fn-t he said that he knew of this going on. the" ihnt lie had heard of 'f Mr Bcqq -Vii'rl h" ;tskcd to make a definite statement in wruincr fie (Mr Fraser) did not beh"\ <.> th< io> wa- an Ac'nan abroad in Otigo, a:;d he did ih>i warn to *-re a 'ovmt; conimissioi' looking f.n st .indal Tip Re. J. Ciii-h"!ri thought I hut Mi Her. ii-cn \* n 'j milking too i: ne-h of what wi= ail . It \va c ul! a question of wlnt inisajLUP.liC&Uaa, ' }'" "n^ Sltf£i&. 4 _ IBPIiPV

voted for a manse was partly spent on a washhouse or stable, that could not be called a wrong. Most likely the rumour originated in something like that. He would move that the discussion now cease. The Rev. Mr Dalrymple, who seconded the amendment, thought it would be unfortunate to appoint a committee. The Rev. Mr Clarke said there was no misappropriation at all. Some congregations might ha\e to put money in the bank for six months before they used it, but there was nothing wrong in that. The Rev. A. Cameron thought the synod would act very unwisely if, having Keara the statement of the convener of the committee, that there had been serious misapplication of fund?, they should now accept the statement of on© or two members that there was nothing at all in the matter. To shut their eyes to statements of the kind made by Mr Begg would result in conveners refusing to act in that capacity. The Rev. D. Borrie opposed Air Hewitson's motion. A committee would be set up to inquire into p. matter that would result in nothing Were there any ca<es to go to? Wore they to go round and insult their Deacons' Courts? Mr A. Chisholm supported Mr Hewitson's motion. The Rev. Dr Bannerman scarcely thought that any minister of the Church would be a party to the misapplying of the fund intended for the manse and the surroundings of the manse. He would move — " That Mr Begg's words be referred to the Finance Committee for inquiry." This motion was not seconded. The Rev. P. B. Fraser asked if Mr Begg was prepared to state a specific charge for investigation by the committee? Mr Begg Raid h© was rather astonished at all the talk that had taken place. — (Applause ) When he was speaking he was arguing that the amounts now given for repairs to manses were too large, and in some cases were not needed. He also said he believed that in some cases the money had not all been used for repairs to the manse. It might have been used for a stable, but that was not right. The money was intended to keep the manse buildings in order, and he believed it was not always applied to that purpose. He had not used the word " misappropriation," and had no specific cKarge to bring forward. After further discussion the Rev. Mr Hewitson replied, and a vote was taken on his motion, the Rev. Mr Chisholm'a amendment being ruled unnecessary. The motion was rejected by 30 votes to 24 The Rev. Mr Hewitson said tho matter seemed so serious to him that he wished to record his dissent from the decision. The Rev. Mr Cumming, the Rev Mr Cameron, and the Rev. Mr Scorgie also entered their dissent. UEXEKAI.. Gore's application for £25 for an additional site was granted. The Rev. Mr Hewitson intimated that he had received from " a friend " the sum of £25 as a donation towards the aged and infirm ministPiV fund. The donation was iceeived with thanks.