DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 14

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The Dunedin Presbytery met on the Ist the Rev. D. K. Fisher (Moderator) presiding over 35 ministers and elders. Five commissions were sustained. Mr W. S. Fitzgerald (chairman of committee) brought forward a proposal for the better training of Sabbath school teachers. The matter was referred to the Revs. A. Cameron and R. R. M. Sutherland, and Mr W. S. Fitzgerald (convener), which committee- will report to next meet-, ing of the Presbytery. Forty men employed at Waipori and no services, was the position set forth by the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, convener of a committee of inquiry. He urged that, although there were only four members of the Presbyterian denomination in Waipori township proper, some provision should be mad© for 6ervice at the works. It was resolved—- " That the matter of holding week day services at Waipori be left to Taieri ministers." The Rev. Mr Spence volunteered for the first turn.

St. Clair applied for a manse site and e cottage manse. The Rev. W. Scorgie submitted a plan of the surroundings, showing how the new buildings at Forbury Park and the new township -would be tapped. Mr Scorgie reminded the Presbytery how St. Clair was carrying all the financial burden it could stand. The site had cost £135. Two members of the Church Committee had bought it at an auction sale. He hoped nothing would be done to damp the enthusiasm which prevailed at St. Clair. Mr J. B. Waters set forth that financially the people of St. Clair had gone just about as far as they were able. It was necessary with the growth of the suburb to have a minister so situated as to be in touch with the people." If the Presbytery gave them this grant he believed the people would still manage so to supplement the fund that it would be possible to erect a modest building, which could be added to- from time to time. Mr Duucan supported MiWaters, and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Scorgie, seconded by the Rev. J. Chisholm—" That this request be agreed to, and the site accepted, and the grant to be passed." The Revs. Scorgie, Sutherland, and Borrie were appointed a committee to examine the plane of the manse. An application from North-East Valley for a church at Opoho was granted. An addenda by the Rev. W. Borrie —"That this grant rank with those of last year and that £SO be allowed for the site," was disallowed, as running counter to the new regulations. A request for a grant to assist in the rebuilding of the church at Waitati was agreed to. * It was resolved on the motion of the Rev. R. Chisholm—" That the Presbytery expresses its gratification at the hearty manner the people of Waitati have set about replacing- their church." .The new township of Concord applied for a church and manse sites under regulation.

The Rev. Mr Scorgie: The township of Discord ? The Clerk: No! Concord! Concord!

The request; was agreed to. In regard to an application from Port, Chalmers, the Revs. Dutton and Sutherland were appointed to confer with the Port Chalmers Deacons' Court re a manse site, and to report at the next meeting of the Precbj-tery. The question of a manse for Purikanui was advanced a etep further. It was agreed that Purikanui was the place where the manse should be built. A site was available for £75.

A deputation was appointed to convey fraternal greetings to the Methodist Conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The Rev. James Chisholm sent in his resignation on the ground of impaired physical energy.—On the motion of Mr Borrie it was resolved—" That the Presbytery confer with the congregation of Roslyn on the matter, the mover to represent the Presbytery." The Rev. W. Scorgie, of Mornington, was nominated Moderator of the Presbyterian Synod. It was resolved—" That date and arrangements for the induction of Professor Dickie (the new professor for the Theological College) by the Synod be left to a committee."

The usual routie husinees was transacted and reports read. Several lengthy discussions, important perhaps in themselves,- but of no interest to the tmblic, took place, and the Presbytery adjourned till 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22.