CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 13

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

The Clutha Presbytery met at Balciutha on the> sth inst., when there were present — ihe Rev. W. T. Currie (Moderator), and Messrs S. W. Currie. Fraser, Howes, Allan, Blair, and Grr, ministers ; and Messrs MHattie, Taylor, M'Eee, Dutf, Kiigour, Mitchell. M'Lean, Anderson, and Sutherland, elders Messrs Miller. Chisholm, and Tobin wrote stating their inability to attend.

It was agreed to nominate the Rev. Jas. Chisholm, of Roslyn, as Mcderator of the General Assembly for the year 1907. Tl'e remit on assembly representatives, travelling expenses, and voting powers/ was considered at some length. Mr Fraser, as eomener of the committee, explained the Position, when Mr Currie moved that tho proposal submitted by the committee be agreed to— viz., ti.at the representation and voting powers, with travelling expensee, bo reduced to one-third of the ministers and one-third of the elders on each presbytery roll, still maintaining the right of all other non-voting members of assembly a3 heretofore. Seconded by Mr' Allan. — Mr Taylor moved as an amendment, and Mr M'Hattie seconded, that the Presbytery agrees to r-ocommend that the matter remains as it is — Votion carried. Mr B'air moved rhat the Presbytery » of opinion that tho present law with regard to file voting members bo adhered to. — fierondnl by Mr Allan and agieed to. The following ministers were appointed! ropre-sontati'.es to tho General Assembly— viz.. Revs. W. T. Currie, Chi-holm, Fra^r. Allan, and Blair. It was. further, agr«vd that the following elders be appointed— viz., Messrs Dunlop, Duff, Andt-rson, Sutherland, Kilgour, and M'Lean, and that the Waitahuna Session (without a rep ■"• sentative in the Assembly) be a&ked to appoint one of their number. The Lawrence Managing Committee forwarded a request for an additional gr;mfc of £12 10s, on the X' oUn< l'^ or -P o und basi*. for mane repairs. It was agreed to accrdo to the request, and to forward it to the Otago Church Board of Property as in accordance with the regulations. Mr Fraser reported re vacancy at Stirling, and Mr Allan re the vacancies ai Tuapeka West and Waitahuna.

Mr Fra-er move!— '* That the Presbytery is of opinion that the present method of nominating and electing moderators^f or tho General Assembly is unsatisfactory, and tends to deprive the Central Assembly of that freedom of election which is its proper right."— Seconded by Mr Howes, and agreed to. Mr Fraser gave notice of the following motion for next Presbytery. — "That a. committee of Presbytery be appointed to report on the feasibility of establishing a Presbyterian Orphanage in Milton for Otago children." The Clerk reported that the home mission stations of Rataaui and Glenomaru had been settled— the former by the appointment of Mr Rowclls (late of Fiji), and the latter by that of Mr Raff, of Palm^rston North. Mr Fra?er, as convener, submitted tho report for the General Aeeembly on statistics (the Presbytery being the committee), and moved therewith the adoption of several recommendations. — After sama discussion the report "and tho recommendations were agreed to. The Clerk called attention to the- fact that Sunday, October 14, had been appointed by the Assembly ah Children's Day. It was agreed to adjourn to meet at Milton on Monday, the 22nd inst.. at 9 o'clock, to deal with calls from tho Stirling and Waitahuna congregations, and for ordinary business at Milton on Friday, December 14, at half-nast 12 o'clock.