DUNSTAN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3347, 8 May 1918, Page 25

DUNSTAN PRESBYTERY.

A meeting of the Dunstan Presbytery was held at Ranfurly on the 30th, the Moderator (Rev. G. D. Falconer) presiding. The Rev. T. G. Butler, minister of Patearoa-Wai-piata charge, forwarded his resignation, on account of ill-health. Being present, Mr Butler stated that, acting on medical .advice, he had reluctantly decided to resign his charge as, owing to the result of an accident and a subsequent operation, he would be quite unable to do the work of his wide parish during the winter. Tht> clerk (Rev. A. Y. G. Chandler) read a letter from the session clerk of the Patearoa charge, conveying the sympathy of the congregations and their appreciation of Mr Butler's work, and acquiescing in his decision with deep regret. The Rev. G. D. Falconer moved, and Mr Forrester seconded, that the resignation be accepted with regret, and that the pastoral tie bo dissolved from May 31. The Rev. G. D. Falconer was appointed interim Moderator, and was requested to declare the charge vacant on the first Sunday in: June. The clerk was instructed to ascertain when Mr Bissett, the Assembly Evangelist, would be free to visit Central Otago. Communications were received from the Rev. Dr Gibb Concerning Home Missions and Church Union, the latter being deferred till the next meeting of Presbytery. It %vas decided to recommend the Chaplains' Committee to appoint the Rev. W. P. Rankin, of Cromwell, as a chaplain for the front. The Interim-moderator of the Strath Taieri charge stated that the charge was still vacant, and reported concerning the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. A letter was read regarding the collection of funds for the Old Peoples' Home in Dunedin, and on the motion of the Rev. Mr Chandler, seconded by the Rev. Mr Butler, it was resolved to commend this enterprise of the Church as a worthy object of generous support. The minister of the Mount Ida charge stated that the Superintendent of the -P.S.SI.A. (Rev. E. A. Axeisen) and the Rev. R. E. Bavies would shortly visit his charge, with tho object of raising £l2O, and they were willing to visit the other charges of the Presbytery with the same object.