THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3374, 26 January 1884, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

[By Telegraph. J Wellington, Jan. 25. The Conference has been in Committee during the greater part of the day upon the subject of home missions. During the past year the income has been £2482 6s lOd, and the expenditure £2552 17s Bd. The Eev. A. Eeid and F. L. Prime were thanked for their services during the past year, and were reappointed. The balance sheets of connexional properties were read by Messrs R. Hobbs and George. A grant was made to enable the Rev. Mr Gittos to travel among the Maoris of the northern districts. The Cambridge and Patea circuits were reported to tho Conference as having fallen short of the amounts required for the mission fund. The Secretary of the Conference reported that a donation of £3OO had been bequeathed to the fund, payable next year. THIS DAY. The subject of Methodist union occupied the attention of the Wesleyan Conference during last night. The debate lasted tour hours and was of a most spirited character. Resolutions in favor of the union were moved by the Rev. Bairn. The first resolution that the Union Committee’s report be received and the second expressing thankfulness that so large a proportion of the quarterly meetings had agreed, were carried unanimously. On the third resolution, which committed Conference to accept the general principles of the proposed union basis, a long debate look place. The Rev. J. Berry moved an amendment—‘’That while the Union is desirable the proposal for the present union is premature.” Seventeen ministers and eleven laymen addressed the Conference, and shortly before midnight the question was put and lost. There being no amendment, the original motion was put and carried, amid loud cheers, by 38 to 9.