DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Otago Witness, Issue 2610, 23 March 1904, Page 12

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

An adjourned' meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held on Monday, 14th inst., First Church Hall, the Rev. Pv. Mackie being appointed moderator for the meeting. Those attending in addition to Mr Mackie •were the Revs, W. Wiil, D. Borrie, J. Chisholm, A. W. Kinmont, W. Scorgie, E. C. Teanent, R. Fairmaid, I. K. M'lntyre, R!

R. M. Sutherland, Dr Watt, the Rev. A» M. Finlaysoa (clerk), Messrs D. Thomson, A. Chishclm, R. Chisholm, A. Begg, G. Reid, J. T. Johnson, W. H. Adams, and R. Bagrie.

THE ALL ANTON* CHTTRCH.

I Consideration, of an application from the Committee of Management at Allanton for a grant in aid of the removal and re-erection of the church, there was resumed. The Rev. A. W. Kinmont stated that the Presbyteryhad sent a strong practical deputation to visit the locality, who were unanimously of the opinion that it would be a decided j improvement to have the church removed to an available site in the neighbourhood. Tba application asked for a grant of halt" cost, the estimated cost of the removal of the church being £120. and the oos>t of the new sito £40. It being a matter of doubt as to what the regulations allow-ed in the matter of the opyhcation, it was rcoolvcd that the Revs. ~YV. Scorgio and D. Borrie be appointed to examine the regulations and report to an adjourned meeting of the Presbytery

HIDDLEMAHCH CHT7KCH.

Application was received from Middlemarch with reference to last year's grant, the letter stating that at a meeting of the Church Committee re the church repairs, not being able to get the work in hand before the Synod met owing to diversity of opinion (expert opinion being difficult to obtain), it was resolved to apply to the Presbytery to recommend the Synod to let the last yeai*'s grant stand over without its being put back into next year's list. They would try and get an expert's report in time. — The Rev. Mr Scorgie eaid the grant last year had been made ou an entirely different footing, and now it was wanted to change the purpose of the grant and secure tha building of a room which would not strengthen the church in the way desired. — On the motion of the Rev. Mr Borrie consideration of the spplication was adjourned till an expert's opinion had been received as promised.

GENERAL

The Her. James Chisholm moved that in future members of Presbytery who wore unable to be present it meetings notify the fact of their absence, with reasons, to the clerk of Presbytery. If this was clone they would be complying witb the usages of other public bodies. At the present time some sent apologies and some did not, and he thought the motion would bring about uniformity. Another reason for passing 1 the motion was that members were sometimes absent owing to ill-health, and no one knew an3*thing abotit it, and there was therefore no opportunity of showing sympathy with those membor.o. The Rev. Mr Kininont seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr R. Ohisholm moved — " That a motion previously passed by the Pi'Pi-bytery be rescinded, and that in future members of Piesbytery be notified by post-card Vrhen meetings are to be held." The Rev. W. Scorgie seco3ided the motion, and after discussion, Mr Chisholm said h& would alter the motion to read — "That in addition to the present method of advertising meetings, postcards be tent to each member of Presbytery." The Rev. Mr Scorgie decided to move an amendment — '" That ordinary meetings be called by post-card and the others by post-card and advertisement," but it was pointed out that as seconder of the motion he could not do so. Mr Scorgie contended that he had not seconded the notion, and after some further slight dis-cus-ion the Rev. Mr Fairnraid moved an amendment — '" That the existing arrangement continue."

On a vot© being taken, Mr Chi=holin's amended motion was carried.

A letter wa? received (through the Pcrb Chalmers Church Session) from Mr Alexander Lock suggesting that the resident Presbyterian minister at each port in the colony should be appointed honorary Aarjlain to the Presbyterian section of the crews of visiting warships. — It was resolved that the letter be sent to the Assembly, with a recommendation as to the desirability of its being put into effect. Application was received from Mr E. H. Buckingham for admission as a home mis-

sionary, and a small committee was appointed to deal with thei Circulars were received from the convener of the Missions Committee rc-lating to mission contributions. The Rev. D. Borrie said there were a great many errors in tho statistics compiled (those for NorthEast Valley being about £20 at fault). It vas mentioned 1 that the matter was in the hands of a committee, and discussion was not continued.

The Clerk of Presbyt&ry mentioned that the- Presbytery if it thought fit could nominate a moderator for the Synod of 1905. He would nominato the Rev. R. J. Poiter as moderator for next Synod. He did this partly because Mr Portor would fill the office with dignity and credit, and partly because the Presbytery of Oarnaru had been somewhat overlooked in the matter of this particular honour for a g-ood many year?. The Jast moderator from the Presbytery of OamaTU was Mr Steven, iv 1891. All ths other Presbyteries had been, he thought, represented, some repeatedly, since thattime. Clutha had been nominated, but had been represented again and again. The nomination of Mr Porter was agreed

to. It was resolved that the. Roy. Mr M'lnnis bo recommended to be authorised to celebrate marriages in the Brighton distiict, on. the motion of the Rev. D. Borrie, who mentioned that he supposed he had power to allow Mr M'lnnis to baptise and dispense the Sacrament.

The Rev. Mr Tennent mentioned that owing to severe indisposition Dr Nicolson was unable to attend the meeting of Presbytery.