CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 30

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The Presbytery of Clutha met at Balclutha on Wednesday, when there were present — The Rev. Mr Ramsay (moderator), and Messrs Currie, Dalrymple, Reid,' Miller, Fraser, Howes, Allan, B:air, iSudci, Orr, and Cinsholin (ministeis), and -Messrs M'Hattie, Biaikie, Johnston, Lewis, Taylor, Edwards, Tait, and Lamond (elders). Mr Macallistcr wrote explaining his. inability j to attend. j It w«s agreed on the motion of Mr Fraser, seconded by Mr Miller — '" That, in . ihe mind of the Presbyterj r , students should, be licensed by the Presbytery to which they naturally beiong, unless special circumstances justify a different course." i Mr Chishokn, Moderator of the Ratanui , Mission Station, reported that under Mr Robertson, the new home missionary, matters were progressing most satisfactorily. , — The Presbytery expressed its very great j pleasure at the report. J Mr Dulrymple, as Moderator Of Ahuriri ; Mission Station, reported that Mr Weir I was now in charge. — It was agreed to receive the report, and to confirm the appointment. | The ca 7 l from Lawrence congregation to i the Rev. R. S. Allan, of Kaitangata, was • next considered. Mr fieid, as Moderator, and Messrs M'BTattie and Anderson urged r the ijjaims of La-tvrence, and in • doing so spoke of the strong desire of the people to ; secure Mr Allan as their minister. — Mr Currie reported that he had held a coagrej gational meeting at Kaitangata- on Monday I lastj when it was carried unanimously that I a strong effort be made to retain Mr Allan's I services. In support of this desire, a strong deputation, consisting of Messrs Kelly, Blaekie, Johnston, Brown, and' Carson, were ' also heard, oaeh and all of them testifying" to the good work done by Mr Allan in Kaitangata. — In giving his own decision, ' Mr Allan referred at some length, to the> , difficulty in which- lie felt himself. His : dpsire, however, after careful consideration,was to accept the call from Lawrence. — - Thereafter, on the motion of Mr Fraser, seconded by Mr Dalrymple, the call wa3 j put into Mr Allan's hands and' by him forma-lly accepted. Several members of the Presbytery spoke feelingly of the- good ' work that Mr Allan had done in Kaitanj gata. The induction was fixed' for Wedi nesday, the 11th prox., at 3 o'clock — the j Rev. Mr Reid to induct, Mr Orr to preach, and Messrs Fraser and Dalrymple to ad- ! dress the minister and people respectively. j Applications were received from Milton and Balclutha for the usual quinquennial , grant for the manse repairs, and agreed to in terms of the regulations. 1 The usual certificate of character and of fitness for the Christian ministry was, on : the motion of Mr Fraser, 'seconded by Mr f Ghisholm, granted to Air James Lowry, ! student, of Lovell's Flat. Mr Chisholin gave notice that at tho ' next meeting of Presbytery he would move that when the Presbytery meets at iialclutha the day of meeting be Friday. The records of the Kirk Sessions and Deacons' Courts (or managing committees) of Waihola, Balcluyha, Waitaliuna. KaiI tangata, Owaka. Milton, Clutha, Popotunoa, Milbum, Waiwera, and Inehclutha, were examined, and, with a few exeep- , tions and criticisms, reported well and i regularly kept, and as such were signed. by the Moderator. I Messrs Currie and Ramsay were apj pointed to examine the sermons of M-essrs j John M'Caw and G. Crawford, and there1 after to forward them to Dr Erwin, conI vener of the Home Mission Examination Board. j Mr J. M'Caw forwarded a report re the position of Beaumont Home Mission Sta- ! tion. Mr Adams had been appointed home missionary, and 1 the work was now well under • waj*. — It was agreed to thank Messrs Reid and M'Caw for the wort they . had done in connection with the newmission charge, and to confirm the appointment of Mr Adams. Through Mr M'Ca-w, Mrs J. A. Will thanked the ministerial members of PresI bytery for the assistance rendered her in | the supply of the Lawrence pulpit, and for i their very great sympathy with her in her ; bereavement. j Leave was given to Rae's Junction to inj fcroduee instrumental music in the Sabbath j services. j It was agreed to give help, as far as pos- ; sible, in the- carrying on of Sabbath even■mg services in Reomoaua School, Port 1 Molyneux. during the summer months. Mr Currie, as correspondent member ; under the Assembly's Sunday School examination scheme, brought the scheme bej fore the Presbytery with the view of gefc- ! ting more of the children to enter for the j examinations. ■ The question of a new adjustment of 1 Presbytery Expenses" was introduced by : the clerk, when Mr Allan moved, and Mr . Fraser seconded, that Messrs Currie, Ramfay, and Fraser, with their Presbytery elders, be a committee to consider the : matter and report to next meeting of Presj bytery. — Mi" Taylor moved aa an amendment, and Mr Chisholm seconded, that the present scale of assessment be continued. — 'Motion carried. On the motion of Mr Blair, seconded by Mr Tait, Mr Currie was re-elected clerk for | the ensuing three years. 1 It was agreed to adjourn to meet at Law- . roncc. f- )• }'-£ X '-€■/ iVi of iJr A'laa '„-> 'k9 11th ijfox., al o e'-'ocv:. s.-,:\ ;ife' Milter, for ordinary business on the second "Wednesday of March, at 10 o'clock.

It is stated that a tohunga paid a visit to the Piako Settlements the other day, bufc met with such a warm reception that h© .was glad tp turn his back on the district.