THE METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3183, 17 March 1915, Page 54

THE METHODIST CHURCH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, March 8. The Methodist Conference sa - as, am toThe Secrotarv of the church building a.nd lean fund reported that during the year there had been/ considerable activity m the acquisiton of property and bunding. The freehold sites acquired numbered 8, new churches 7, new parsonages 7, new sunday school halls 5, Bible class hall L The current trust account income was £51.151, and the expenditure £53,359. _ The headquarters of the Foreign Missions Committee was transferred from Chnstthurch to Wellington. ... Reference was made to four ministers yho had died during the year— Messrs Redgone, Pendray,' Newman Buttle, and Bowie. Mr Buttle, who was tne son ot one of the old missionaries, has many relatives in the dominion, and will specially bo remembered by his work for foreign missions. , It was decided to publish various pamphlets on various subjects for the education of the people with special reference to tne “ °it Tl °was agreed to appoint the Rev. W. Walker as chaplain to the Trcntham camp for a year. Arrangements were made to give better attention to the military camps, and a special grant of £IOO was made from the ijome mission fund to secure this. Each church was recommended to secure li roll of honour, on which the names of men belonging to the churches who have gone to the front shall bo enrolled. FINAL DRAFT OF STATIONS. The final draft of stations is as follows: AUCKLAND. ‘Auckland Central—C. H. Laws Colin C. Harrison, J. B. Suckling, H. A. Sharp, J. B. Smalley (supernumerary), Jas. Thomas (supernumerary), Cornelius Griffin (supernumerary). T. G. Carr (supernumerary), J. J. Mather (supernumerary), J. A. Luxtorct (chaplain with the Expeditionary f orces), Auckland West—A. C. Lawry, VV A. BurJoy, and a home missionary; Auckland East, James Wrigloy, E. R. Blamires; Avondale— Lewis Hudson. R. B. Gcsnell, a home raistionarv, and Joseph Blight (supernumerary), Auckland Central Mission, E. T. Cox and Jas. Wilson (without pastoral charge); North Shore —G. H. Mann and one wanted, J. b. Rishworth (supernumerary), D. M'Nicoll (supernumerary); Birkenhead, T. F. Jones, J. D. Jorv (supernumerary); Onehunga, John Dukes"; Otahuhn, J. E. Parsons; Papahira, William S. Potter; Takapuna, one Van tod; Pukckoho, George F rost and a Jome missionary; Mahnrangi, J. Southern; tVaiuku, J. Clover; Paparoa, W. W. Avery; y or them Wairoa, W. H. Speer and a home nissionary; Whangarei, H. Daniel; Coronandel, Hclensvillo, Bay of Islands, Hokiinga (Rawone), Hokianga (Kohukohu), Wnangaroa, Maungarnu, Hikirangi, home missionaries; Port Albert, one wanted; Northern Maori mission, William Gittos (superintendent); Whangaroa, Parairi R. Paikea; Paparore. a homo missionary; Bay of Islands. Davis Wilcox; Hokianga Mangam ga). Piripi Rakena; Hokianga (Whirinaki), Te Tnki Heretini; Eaipara, Eru Te Tuhi.; Otorohanga, Iloni M. Hare; To Kopua, Hapota Renata; Kawhia, Hori KakuSODTH AUCKLAND. Thames, G. W. J. Spence and a home missionary; Upper Thames, T. N. Griffin tnd P. R. Paris; Waihi, P. J. Ccssum; t’aero-a, C. B. Jordan; Cambridge, T. Trestrai! and a homo missionary; Hamilton, T. J. Wallace and C. Roberts; bluntly, W. A. Watson; Rotorua, li. T. Peat; Tauranga, G. B, Hinton; Opotiki, Percy Battey; To Kuiti, M. J. Evans; Taumarunui, H. J. Odell ; To Awamutu, John Olphert; Whakatang, To Puki; Matamata, Ahara, Ngaruawahia. Marakcpa. Waitniha, home missionaries. TARANAKI-WANGANUI. New Plymouth, A. B. Chappell, C. H. Olds, a homo missionary, William Connell (supernumerary); Waitara, John W. Griffin pnd a homo missionary; Inglewood. Jacob Featherston; Stratford, Amos Reader, D. Archer, 0. Harris; Eltham. Hcdley White: liawera. E. O. Blamires, T. G. Hammond {supernumerary); Manaia, .VV. S. Neal; Cape Egmout. R. B. Tinsley and a homo missionary; Kaponga, C. Blair; Wanganui. H. L. Bkmirea (chaplain with Expeditionary Forces), H. A. Marshall (supply), E. Bandy, jind a homo missionary; Aramoho, O. A. pirns; Rangitikci, F. Rands; Taihapo, J. A. L. Miniffie; Wnimarino, P. J. *Cook; East Egmont. Mokau. Patea. homo missionaries: Normnnby, R. T. P. Haddon: Rahotn. N. H- Papakakura; Okaiawa, a deaconess; iome mission secretary, T. G. Brooke. HAW KE’ S B A Y-MA NAWATU. Napier, T. R. Richards and a homo mislionary; Hastings, Mr A. R, Pratt; Gisborne, Robert Raino and one wanted; VVaipawa, Arthur Harding; Dannevirke, J. A. Husking; - Woodvillo,- Christopher Abernathy ; Pahintaa. Raymond Richards; Palmerston North (Broad Street), F. W. Boys and one wanted; Palmerston North (Cuba Street). J. 11. Ilnslam; Feilding, D. J. Murray and T. (,’oatslcy, a homo missionary, and P. W. Jones (supernumerary); Sanson and 'Bongotee, R. P. Kca'l; Foxton, W. Rowe and a home missionary; Kimbolton and Norse wood, homo missionaries. WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Wellington (Taranaki Street), J. G, Chapman ann a homo missionary; Wellington Central Mis don, G. K. Smith; Wellington (Thorndon), G. S, Cook, (J. A. (Sims, and John Dumbci 1 (supernumerary); Wellington South, W. Slade, J. Richards, J. Dawson (president of conference), W. H. Beck (supernumerary); Johnsonville, 3. H. D. Pcryman, Oswald A. Bonnet; Hutt, William Bockct, Samuel J. Garliclc (snpernurnerai-y); Petone, J. J. Lewis, William Kirk (supernumerary); South Wairnrapa, Leslie B. Neal: Garter ton, J. Ward ; Master-ton, S. J. Serpell and one wanted; Eketahuua, Angus M : Bean; Otaki, Horry Cottom, a home missionary ; chaplain to forces at Trentharn, W. Walker; Levin, W. H. E. Abbey; Paraparauxna, a homo missionary. NELSON. Nelson, William Baumber; Richmond, A. Ashcroft and a home missionary; Blenheim, B. F. Roth well, T. R. B. Wooloxall, and a home missionary; Hokitika, H. L. Richards; Greymonth, E. D. Patchett; Motueka, Chas. A. Foston; Rccfton, C. Penney; Westport, B. P. Dudley; Havelock, Murchison, ißunanga, Granity, Dcnniston, Tapawera, and Dovedalc, home missionaries. NORTH CANTERBURY. Christchurch (Durham Street), P. N. Knight, Henry Bull (supernumerary), con-

nectional secretary and authorised representative, S, Lawry; Christchurch Central Mission, J. Cocker; Christchurch East, W. A. Sinclair, A. Liversedge, F T. Harris, and a home missionary, John Smith (supernumerary). Robert Taylor (supernumerary), W. C. Oliver (supernumerary), R. Wilson (without pastoral charge); Cambridge Terrace, B. Metson, C. E. Ward (supernumerary}, J. Nixon (supernumerary); Woolston, William Laycock, William Lee (supernumerary), W. J. Williams (supernumerary); Sydenham, A. N. Scotter; Addington, T. W. Vealio and a home missionary; St. Albans, H. E. Bcllhcmso, A. A. Benslcy, Thomas Fee (supernumerary); Papanui, A. Peters and a home missionary for Riccarton; Lyttelton, A. Mitchell; South (Springston, W. B. Scott; Tai Tapu, H. R.anston; Leeston, W. Grigg; Kaiapoi, P. W. Fa.rclough; Ohoka, J. F. Martin; Rangiora, William Wills, James R. Clark; Greondalo and Malvern, John Harris and a home missionary; Amberloy and Oxford, homo missionaries. SOUTH CANTERBURY. Timaru (Bank Street) —T. A. Jougnin, R. B. Spiers, J. R. Sullivan (with Expeditionary Forces); Timaru (VV oodlands Street), R. J. Liddell; Waimate, G. F. Stockwell, and one wanted; Temuka (King Street, Jas. Guy; Temuka (Denmark Street), one wanted; Geraldine, G. J. Hunt; Ashburton—VV r . J. Elliott, J. D. M‘Arthur; Wallow by, VV. J. Oxbrow; Oamaru, J. A. Lochore and a home missionary; Mayfield, homo missionary. OTAGO. Dunedin (Trinity) —W. A. Hay, F. W. Is fit (supernumerary), T. W. Newbold (supernumerary); Central Mission, Clarence Eaton; Dundas Street —S. Griffith, A. R. Gordon; Cargill Road, F. T. Rccd; St. Kilda, A. J. Seamer; Cavorsham, Edward Drake and VV 7 . H. Hocking; Mornington, Win. Greenslade; Roslyn, T. A. P*ybus; Mosgicl. J. T. Pinfold, Port Chalmers, G. T. Marshall; Waikouaiti and Palmerston, Alexander Allen and a home missionary; Balclutha, B. J, James; Kaitangata, a homo missionary; Milton. A. Hopper; Roxburgh, Job Benning; Lawrence and Cromwell, a homo missionary. SOUTHLAND. Invercargill (Leet Street), William Ready and William Lee; Invercargill (Don Street) —S. Henderson, F. B. Lawrence; Invercargill (Ellis Road), G. Clement; Bluff, A. H. Fowles; Gore, Nicholas Turner; Otautau, Samuel Bailey; Nightcaps, home missionary; Edendale, F. Frost; Riverton, Winton, and Tuatapcre, home missionaries. South Island Maori Mission, Rakene Piripi. The Stationing Committee recommended that Waiuku be made a married minister’s station. —The recommendation was adopted. DISTRICT CHAIRMEN. The following ministers were elected chairmen of their respective synodical districts: —Auckland, Rev. C. H. Laws; South Auckland, Rev. G. J. Spence; TaranakiWanganui, Rev. T. G. Hammond; Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu, Rov. D. J. Murray; Wellington, Rev. J. Dawson; Nelson, Rov. W. Baumber; North Canterbury, Rev. VV 7 . A. Sinclair; South Canterbury, Rev. T. A. Joughin; Otago, Rev. E. Drake; Southland, Rev. VV 7 . Ready. In the reports and balance sheets of the various mission properties ■'ested in the Methodist Church a unique and interesting item of income occurs in the Grey Institute balance sheet, New Plymouth —viz., £lO 11s royalty on oil. The famous Taranaki oil wells are situated on this mission property, and for the first time royalties have been received. The Rev. W. G. Maslin has tendered his resignation as a minister from the Methodist Church, and the resignation has been accepted. March 9. The annual conference of the New Zealand Methodist Church was concluded today. It was decided to hold a self-denial week during the first week in July, the proceeds to bo devoted to wiping out the deficiency on the Foreign Mission Fund caused by the war and the hurricanes of last year. The Conference decided to accept the offer of the Rev. Val Triggs to visit the dominion in 1916 for evangelistic missions, and that all arrangements be made by the Welfare of the Church Committee. It was resolved to .add to the secretarial staff a press agent, who would be responsible far supplying press reports and other information. The report of the Committee on Temperance and Public Morals was brought down before a minority of members. Resolutions were passed deploring the increase of gambling. Sabbath desecration, and the growing practice of people taking week-end trips. The Temperance Committee had also prepared a recommendation on the Bible in Schools question, but when the resolution came up for discussion ’the argument was raised against it that there was not a largo enough attendance of members of Conference to pass a sufficiently weighty resolution on such an important question. “The previous question” was moved, and was carried by 23 votes to 22. The Rov G. H. Bans brought up the subject later in the debate on the report, and the following resolution was passed by a fairly large majority;—“That this Conference regrets that the important question of tlie Bible in schools was introduced at so late an hour, and in so thin a conference that a vote on the question would have carried no weight. In carrying “the previous question” tho Conference desires it to bo known that such a vote is not to bo regarded as a reversal of its own policy on this question.” The Conference reaffirmed a resolution passed at last year’s conference: —“That this Conference views with deep concern the largo number of serious offences against girls and young women in the dominion, and urges the Government to have the law so altered as to provide: (a), that the age of consent be raised to 18 years; (b), that criminal proceedings in respect of such offences may bo instituted within 12 months of their occurrence! (o), that the defence of apparent age shall bo no longer available to an accused person.” It was agreed to hold n. special foreign mission demonstration at the next conference, in order to prepare to occupy a special independent field of work in foreign missions. The following resolutions were passed on tho motion of the Rev. VV. J. Williams:— “ That in the interests of public morality the Conference strongly protests against permits being granted for any form of gambling in connection with tho efforts made for patriotic or relief funds”; “That, the attention of tho Conference having been called to grave liquor scandals in tho King Country, it calls upon the Govern-

ment to take the most effective steps possible to enforce the prohibitory laws, as_ it lias been shown that loading representative chiefs of the King Country are most emphatic in 1 heir demand that the sale, of liquor shall be prohibited in accordance with the original proclamation, and the Government will be guilty of a serious dereliction of duty if the demand is not attended to.” Copies of the resolutions are to bo sent to the Prime Minister. The committee on matters connected with the No Temero decree reported that during the year the committee had _ conferred with similar committees appointed by other Protestant bodies for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a Protestant association or alliance representative of all Churches, through which united action might ho taken, if necessary, to safeguard Protestant liberties, and for the promulgation of Protestant principles. It was agreed that such an association was desirable, and the following was suggested as a tentative platform:—Education—lnstruction of young people in Protestant principles by the delivery of lectures, addresses. etc., and the distribution of suitable literature. Electoral—To promote the candidature of Protestants who would pledge themselves to support Protestant measures which might bo brought before them for legislative adjustment for all educational, civic, and national elections and appointments. State aid —To oppose the granting of State aid and the holding of State scholarships in denominational schools and colleges. The Presbyterian General Assembly had at it sessions in November, considered the above proposals, approved of the formation of an association, and appointed its representatives. The committee recommended the Conference to approve of the formation of a. Protestant association on the lines indicated, and to appoint four representatives. The report was adopted without discussion.