DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3765, 11 May 1926, Page 18

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Tbe regular meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery waa held in First Church Hall on Tuesday evening. The Moderator (the Hev. li, J. Tipler) presided over a good attendance. MOTIONS OF SYMPATHY. On the motion of the Clerk, the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, the Presbytery agreed to express its deepest sympathy with the Rev. R. L. Walker in the deatJb of his son, and with the Rev. W. Trotter in the death of his brother, who was one of the most distinguished veterinary surgeons in Britain. REV. R. L. WALKER CALLED TO MATAWHERO. A call was received in favour of the Rev. R. L. Walker, of Ravensbourne, from Matawhero, Hawke’s Bay. The call was signed by 64 communicant members out of roll of 70, with the concurrence of “85 adherents. The stipend offered was £275, with £SO ear allowance. The Rev. J. M. Simpson said he had attended a representative meeting of the Ravensbourne and S. Leonards congregations ,he previous evening. The session agreed that they would not put any obstacle ln-'the way of Mr Walker going, but they were unanimous with the congregation in very deeply regretting the possibility of Mr Walker leaving them. A deputation consisting of Messrs C. M’Kinnon, A. Campbell, and T. Ross, and Mesdames Macdonald and Dicklson, waited on the Presbytery from the congregation. Mr Ross expressed their great regret at the prospect of losing Mr Walker, who was a man of outstanding ability, both in the pulpit and in pastoral work. His departure would be a great loss to Ravensbourne.

Mr A. Campbell confirmed what had been said, and added that in the circumstances in which Mr Walker found himself they felt it was really a duty to let him go. Mr M’Kinnon (St. Leonards) endorsed what had been said. Though the change might be to Mr Walker's advantage, they parted from him with great regret. Tbe lady members of the deputation expressed their regret at losing Mr and Mrs Walker.

Mr Walker said it was four years since he was inducted to the charge of Ravensbourne. and referred to the work of the congregation during that time. The call had been quite unsought by himself, and at first he had rejected It, but it had come back in the form of a unanimous call from people who had neither seen nor heard him. He bellevod it was providential in the circumstances, JUKI his mind was to accept it though he would be very sorry to leave his people and his fellow Presbyters. Mr Kilpatrick moved that the call be placed In Mr Walker's hands, and this was unanimously carried.

The call was placed in Mr Walker’s hands and accepted.

Professor Davies was appointed interim moderator of the Ravensbourne charge. The Rev. J. M’Kenzie was appointed moderator of Sawyers’ Bay. THE BENEFICIARY FUND. The Rev. Dr Cumming reported on beneiciarv fund regulations. One of the proposed amendments was to increase tbe annual contributions of beneficiaries from 410 to m.

Mr Kilpatrick said that actuarially the fund was £50,000 short.

On the motion of the Rev. H. Maclean it was decided to postpone consideration of the proposed amendments until next meeting, copies of the proposals to be forwarded to members of Presbytery in the meantime

ST. MARGARET’S COLLEGE. The report of St. Margaret’s College was presented by the Rev. J. Kilpatrick. The report stated, inter alia:—The college was fully occupied, 97 students having been in residence and by reason of occasional changes, altogether 104 have oasaed through during the three terms Financially the position is satisfactory, although the margin to credit is somewhat less than for the previous year. The policy of the council, how ever is to maintain the charges as low a& possible consistent with the giving of efficient service. All that it desires is to keep the finance in a sound condition, so as to provide for upkeep and other contingencies. If iurthei extension becomes necessary, the funds will have to be provided by friends of tbe college. The students for the year represented the following faculties:—Medical 24, arts and science 16, dentistry 6, massage 11, education, Training College 46, law 1. nursing I—total 104; and these were of the following denominations Presbyterian 57, Church of England 33, Methodist 10, Baptist 1. Plymouth Brethern l, Lutheran 1, Roman Catholic I—total 104.

Of the medical students, eight, who were in their final year, have row left us. Five of these having fully qualified for the practice of their profession as doctors. In the arts faculty two students obtained the M.A degree, one the BA., and M.Sc., and six the B.A. This iB considered" to be very satisfactory. Two students of massage fully qualified, and are now at work in the Christchurch Hospital. One dentistry 6tudent gained her certificate of proficiency, which qualifies her to enter upon the practice of her profession. Mr Kilpatrick moved that the report be adopted, and this was carried. The following members of the College Council who retired by rotation were reelected :—Professor Davies, the Rev. Tulloch Yuille, Messrs D. Barron, W. Gow, and James Dick. The Revs. Dr Merrlngton, G. Miller, and A. C. W. Standage were appointed to fill vacancies. YOUTH COMMITTEE. The Rev. A. C. W. Standage presented the report of the Presbytery’s Youth Com. mittee. On his recommendation the Revs. W. W M'Arthur, D. J. Albert, and D. Heggie were appointed examiners for the Assembly's Sunday school examinations. Mr Standage referred to the work of the District Committee controlling 43 young men’s Bible classes In the Presbytery. They hoped to introduce something in the nature of the Big Brother movement for boys leaving the orphanages. They took part in an interBible Class Council. They had raised £175 for missions as against £55 raised the previous year.

Mr Standage read a letter received from the Rev. R. M. Ryburn, director of the Assembly’s youth work, urging that sessions take a keener and more direct Interest In the Sunday schools. Mr Standage said they recognised the help that Mseions gave, but

there was room for further interest and assistance. He had noted that religious education was one of the things that bulked largely in Dr Mott’s mind. It was agreed to forward a copy of Mr Ryburn’s letter to all sessions. GENERAL. It was decided to direct the Moderator of Seacliff (the Rev. J. J. Cairney) to proceed to the settlement of the Seacliff-Warrington charge by way of a call. The Rev. Dr Merrington reported regarding the card which it i 9 proposed to distribute from house to house during church rally month next month. The form of the card was approved. The Presbytery agreed to forward a resolution of congratulation to the West Taierl congregation on the attainment of its diamond Jubilee. The Rev. H. H. Barton said that the ladles of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union had been raising funds for a missionary rest home, and were about to purchase a property at Opoho. The question of how this property should be held was referred to the Presbytery’! Finance Committee.