FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 6

FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. Tho Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, 14-th inst. Professor Hewitson presided, and there were 13 members present; also tho Rev. G. H. M‘Neur, who attended by invitation. It was resolved that a minute be put into a form suitable for presentation to Mr.P. L. Clark, recording sincere appreciation and deep gratitude toward Mr P. L. Clark. THE NEW HEBRIDES. The Rev. W. V. Milne wrote from Sydney that Mrs Milne had made a good recovery, and they expected to sail for the Islands on July 1. The Rev. F. G. Bowie wrote thanking the committee for its grant of £65 towards the Tangoa Native Teachers’ Training Institution. ' A number of donations, one all the way from Scotland, were reported toward the Ambrim Hospital fund. The Rev. P. Milne sent £lO3 from the sale of arrowroot made by the natives for tho payment of books used in the mission. The question of a retiring allowance for missionaries was raised, and it was resolved to bring the matter again before the convener of the aged and infirm ministers’ fund; also to call his attention to the necessity for a similar fund for women missionaries and deaconesses. REPORTS i’P-OiX INDIA. Dr Robertson wrote glowingly of the great change in conditions from their old “stable-hospital” to tho newly-built one. He says: “It is such a treat to shut out the babel of sounds, and be able to examine a patient in a big airy, clean , consulting room. Then I purchased recently an operating table for £l2 from Bombay, and that—set in our lovely big operating theatre with its cement floor and accessory cupboards and shelves —is really too luxurious to be enjoyed all at once. We are purchasing furniture by degrees with money received in fees, but it is a slow process, and only suitable for very cheap and desperately necessary things.” There wbre only 80 to 90 patients per day when Dr Robertson wrote, but the total for the year is over 30,000. AFFAIRS IN CHINA. Messrs H. White and A. L. Miller reported on the work of the Chinese Church in Walker street for the half-year. The Convener reported that plans for the new hospital at Ko Tong had been prepared in Wellington, sent to Canton, then on to Edinburgh to Dr John Kirk, so that considerable delay had occurred in their getting into the hands of the committee. Mr M’Neur anticipates that they will soon bo to hand. It is intended that the buildings supervisor, who is at present in Melbourne, may delay his leaving for Canton so that ho can consult Professor Hewitson when on his way to India in October. .Dr Paterson wrote that, with the Rev. W. Mawson, ho paid a visit to Ying Tak, 100 miles up tho line, to see the new hospital being built there for tho American Baptist Mission. The material is reinforced concrete. Mr H. L. Watt reported having collected over £76 through C.Y.M. collecting boxes. He had also despatched 1274 copies of the annual report, of which the dominion branch of Laymen’s Missionary movement had bought 400. . GENERAL. The Rev. G. H. M’Neur will go on deputation work this week to Canterbury, Wanganui, and Wairarapa for 10 weeks in all. He will also meet tho various presbyteries and L.M.M. branches in conference. Mrs M’Neur and Dr Bowie also had been doing a little deputation work. It was reported that the Wairarapa, Presbytery was almost certain to /undertake the support of the Rev. T. E. Riddle (India) as its own -missionary representative; while there is also a strong probability that St. John’s, Wellington, will adopt the Rev. G. H. M’Neur (China). East Taieri congregation sent a special contribution towards the support of Nurse Prentice (China), whom they are hoping" to support fully before long. Mr J. K. Venables, at present In Edinburgh, wrote that he expected to obtain his medical degree this month. Ho applies to be sent abroad. The, secretary was instructed to prepare a complete list of all the men and women who have applied, ( to the committee, with tho dates when they will bo ready ■to go out. A full discussion took, place about the deputation to India and China. Professor Hewitson gave October 11 as the suitable date to leave for India. Owing to the inability of Mr J. G. W. Aitkcn. Rev. W. J. Oomrio had been nominated in his place, and ho w r as willing to go to China after the Assembly meeting, if the Assembly so desired. The L.M.M. had nominated Mr W. H. Johnston, and hoped to gather sufficient funds to enable him to visit India as well as China. The secretary intimated that it was extremely unlikely that he would be able to visit either India or China.