NEW ZEALAND METHODISM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND METHODISM.

LOCAL PREACHERS' MUTUAL AII>ASSOCIATION. The annual meetings of the above asso« ciation wore commenced m Trinity Methodist Church on the 19th when there were delegates present from Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Ashburton, and Dunedin. , Mr W. Watson, of Brookside (the general secretary), read the annual report, which 6howed that there were oyer 100 members; the funds m the central body amounted to- £165 10s 7d, whilst the branches had m hand the Bum of £178 4s Id. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mr W. Watson (Brookside) ; vice-president, Mr G. W. Andrews (Ashburton) ; general secretary, ,Mr Wm. Dobbs (Christchurch) ; general treasurer, Mr B. Gott (Christchurch); trustees — Hon. C. M. Luke, Messrs J. Lomas and E. W. Hall; auditors — Messrs J. Voss and C. Parkin; editor of L.P. column m Outlook, Mr S. F. Benton (Dunodin). It was reported that the Primitive Methodist Conference had recommended circuits to grant one collection a year to the funds of the sooiety. At 5.30 a welcome tea was given, the tables being presided over by Sister Annie and Mesdaznes Martin, Benton, Rainsford, and M'lndo'e. After, the refreshments had been disposed of Mr Benton took charge, and an experience meeting was held, when a number of delegates spoke on the work of our local preachers. At 7.30 a public meeting was. held m the church. Th© President occupied tha chair, and gave a short 1 address. Adi dresses were also given by . Messrs E. Armstrong ~ (Christohurch), W. Dobbs ■ (Christchurch), and S. F. Benton (Dunedin). Musical items were given by Mrs S. Lawn and Mr Benton, Mr Lawn presiding at the organ. To-morrow all thei Methodist and Primitive Methodist pulpits will be occupied by the visiting delegates. ; The meetings were resumed at ,9.30, on : Saturday morning, the . president m the chair. After Bible-reading by the seoretary and prayer by Mr Martin, the Secretary read a report from the N.Z. Methodist Conference recommending to/ circuits that a Local Preachers'. Sunday .be^ held annually, and thai a retiring collection ba given to the association. It was resolved that a grant of pound for " pound up to £10 be given, to branches, forming libraries. y- -\: } : A long discussion took place on the subject of paying delegates' expenses, and it was resolved that the matter remain as at present, each delegate to pay his own expenses. X ■ \ In the afternoon the delegates were the guests of Mr R. .Glendining- at " Nofth-Easfc Valley, when a very pleasant afternoon was spent. On resuming business a discussion took place on " How Can we Improve the Status of the ■ Local Preacher?" and it was resolved that circuits be asked to try as much ; as possible to relieve local preachers from all other work. Appreciative reference was made to the " work of the late Mr J. T. Smith, the founder and the first president of the association, who up to the time of his death continued to take a prominent part m the work of the association. The secretary read a suitable minute, which was ordered to be sent to the relatives. . Mr W. Watson, who has been general secretary for the last seven years, having now been elected president, the following '• resolution was carried: — "That we recordour appreciation of the services rendered to the association by our late general secretary; that a suitable minute be prepared and forwarded to Bro. Watson." Votes of thanks were accorded to the . quarterly meetings for collections, to the Dunedin ministers, to the trustees of the . Trinity Church, and to the hosts andi • hostesses. It was decided that the next Conference shall be held m Christohurch next Easter, and a very successful Conference was brought, to a close by the president leading m prayer and the singing of the doxology.