CALLS TO WELLINGTON CHURCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2569, 10 June 1903, Page 14

CALLS TO WELLINGTON CHURCHES.

CALL TO THE REV. DR GIBB. • (From Our Own Correspondent.) "WELLINGTON, June 2. At a meeting of St. John's Presbyterian congregation to-night the Rev. Dr Jamea Gibb was propcs&d in connection with the filling r>f the vacancy in the pastorate con* sequent upon the Rev J. Paterson's resignation. Indsed, Dr Gibb's wmo was the only one mentioned in connection with tho matter, and tho congregation were unanimous in thoir decision to secure his services. A large number of signatures were append-edi to tho call, hut as over 300 signatures are required, or throe-fifths of tho congregation, tho call will now he in the oliurch for signature for the mat fort-night, arid when tho requisite number of signatures aro secured it will bo forwarded to the Dunedin Presbytery. There can bo no doubt that tho extra signatures needed will bo quickly secured, for it is recognised on all hainda that Dr Gibb would be a very valuable addition to tho ranks of tho Presbyterians here. The congregation of Ft. Andrew's Presbyterian Church mot last night to choose a name to bo inserted in tho call to fill 'the vacancy ciused by tho resignation of the Rc-v. C. S. Ogg. The Roy. W. Shirer presided. The names of two candidates were presented to the mooting, these being tho Rev. J. Gibson Smith, M.A., of Invercargill. and the Rev. A. W. Kinmont, recently of Burnt I?land, Firth of Forth. The voting was 30 for Mr Gibson Smith, and 29 for Mr Kinmont. After the voting tho ufiual pppeaJ was made to the minority to fall in with tho majority. The "call" for Mr Gibson Smith wao then left in tho hands of tho session for further signatures, and! will bo placed before the presbytery at a meeting to be held on tho 16th iiwt Ifc will then be the duty of tho presbytery to decide, in view of the number of sijjfjiaturea and other circumstances, whether the call will be sustained and transmitted.