PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 42

P RIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

The conference extended a cordial welcome to the five ministers who recently arrived from Home—Revs. G. Knowles Smith, J. B. Suckling, E. Bandy, H. Gotham, and A. H. Fowlas. It was decided to grant the request of the Christchurch station for a division in constituting and making Cambridge Terrace and Edgeware Road the first station, and Sydenham and Lin wood the second station; a married minister to be appointed to tbs second station. The request of the Dunedin station for division was granted. This constitutes the three churches in the south of the city tbs second station, the first circuit having five churches; each station to have two ministers. Leave of absence to visit England was granted to Rev. W. S. Potter, Wellington, and Rev. J. Guy, New Plymouth. The request of the Taranaki Synod for an extra, agent at East Egmont was granted. It was agreed to employ Mr Charteris (the boy preacher) as a home missionary, with a view to his qualifying for the Primitive Methodist Ministry. Various reports were dealt with. That on missions showed that the average contribution per church member for the past year was os The Fire Insurance Fund was shown to be in a healthy con; dition, being £IBOO in credit, which sum was lent out on church properties. The profit for the year was £157. The total claims for losses during the year amounted to £5 ss. The Rev. R. Raine delivered the address as retiring president, and the visiting delegates were welcomed to town, by the Mayor and different local institutions. Tanuary 17. The conference to-day decided to take no action with regard to the suggested grant of £SO towards the payment of New Zealand delegates at the English Conference, the circuits having voted against such grant. The report dealing with Church membership snowed that this now stands at 3154, an increase of 170 for the year. Strong objection wss taken ”to the acticju of the Building Committee in having sold a- 4ft right-of-way at Eoxton without consulting the conference. The objection was based on the ground that the right-of-way would facilitate the business of a billiard saloon on the adjoining section. The question of the sale of the Timaru Church property, and the removal of the church at Richmond, Auckland, was referred to a committee. jhe Loan Fund showed a credit balance, of £75, advances during the year having amounted to £2OO. and repayments to £228. The Jubilee Loan bund stands at 1485. lire report on church properties •movsed that the number of churches was (7, and their value £51,500; houses 44 and their value £23,400; musical instruments, £3000; land not built upon £5400; present debt. £20,800; paid off daring the year, £llOO. The gross in£64B° Wa “ £6747j and th,a expenditure The report of the Publishing Committee showed that a profit of £65 was ma® during the year on the church paper, the Primitive Methodist, said to be the only denominational paper which had made to pay. ~ T , he Examining Committee reported that all candidates had passed as. follows : Revs H. Daniel, H. White, A. Armstrong (fourth year), H. Daniel, D. B. Carlisle, t. A. Thompson (third year), F ; f Tompson, -A 1 ’ J - Da ™ (W Hmr S A I T? w m ’l R ® J * B - SuckS A A ; T H ‘. Fow le«Jfi«>t year); Messrs A. O. Hams and H. A., Sharp passed the candidates exaipination, and will become ministers in the first vear of probation. " . To-night a musical festival 'was held m connection with the confereiio®.