THE PRESBYTERY

Southland Times, Issue 19655, 4 October 1922, Page 7

THE PRESBYTERY

MONTHLY MEETING. The Presbytery of Southland held its monthly meeting in the Firet. Church Hall yesterday, Rev. H. G. Gilbert, Moderator, presiding. Mr A. Scott, commissioned by Knox Church, and Mr John Brodie, a Knox College student appointed for six months’ work at Colac Bay, were welcomed. The Clerk intimated that Rev. W. McUhatton had been duly inducted to the Arrowtown parish on September 7. Rev. John Chisholm, in accordance with notice of motion, moved that the Presbytery meetings should be held on the first Tuesday of each month, but alternately at 10.15 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. He maintained that his would add to the efficiency of the Presbytery, as at present the attendance of elders was regrettably erratic and poor, the reason of this being that the hours of meeting did not suit a great majority of elders. It was most desirable that they should have a large attendance of elders, especially of the younger brethren, who were men of affairs and in touch with the people and conversant, with social questions. Rev. D. K. Fisher seconded, although the motion, if carried, would hit some of the country elders. The matter should be put to the test, and he supported it especially in the hope that it. would bring the younger elders to take their share in Presbytery work.

Rev. John Collie, in the interests of country ministers and elders, could not support the motion, and could not see that the change would result in more effective work. Many members took part in the discussion, mainly taking the negative side, and the motion when put to the vote was lost on the voices.

Rev. C. A. Gray stated that his deacons’ court, were very pleased to fall-in line with the Presbytery’s desires rc services at the Rocks. Mr Macfarlane, Riverton Session representative, endorsed Mr Gray’s remarks. After some discussion Rev. R. Francis moved that Mr Gray and Mr Macfarlane having been heard, the matter should be remitted to the Riverton Commission for further consideration.—Agreed. Rev. John Collie, for the No-License Committee, reported anent a suggestion that Mr R. C. Boyd should be released from his

charge at Orepuki for a term to help in the Prohibition campaign. The matter was referred back to the committee with power to act. Rev. John Collie distributed among the members a circular and order forms drawing the attention of Deacons’ Courts to the urgent necessity of increasing the circulation of the church's official paper, The Outlook, the circulation of which was far short of what was required to meet the cost of publication, and of what is necessary for its usefulness as the church paper. He strongly recommended that an effort should be made to have The Outlook in every household. The Clerk announced that the following ministers were the representatives for the approaching meeting of Assembly:—Revs. A. Macdonald, C. A. Gray, A. K. Ross, F. J. Tylee, J. H. Robertson, A. McNeur, G. F. Cox, G. H. Crockett, H. G. Gilbert, E. Gardiner, R. Francis, and D. K. Fisher. Revs. W. J. Robertson and J. L. Robinson were appointed substitutes, and Revs. Baird, Chisholm, Heggie and Morgan emergencies. The following Sessions were requested to appoint representative elders:—Arrowtown, Centre Bush, Fort rose, First Church, Knox, North Invercargill, Limestone Plains, Oter a - mika, Waianawa, Waikiwi, and Wallacetown. Rev. John Collie intimated that. Mr D. P. Campbell, .Orawia, had been appointed by the Social Service Association as superintendent of .social service work in Southland. Mr Campbell’s resignation as home missionary at Orawia was accepted to enable him to accept the appointment. Messrs Collie and Robinson were appointed to set exercises for Mr J. A. Riley 7, student at Knox College. South Invercargill Outfields were constituted a Home Mission charge under the St. Andrew’s Session, with Rev. E. Gardiner as Moderator and Mr C. C. Harris missionary. Riverton Deacons’ Court applied for a grant of £22 10/- for manse upkeep and repairs. The application was sustained and forwarded to Synod. Garston applied for a special grant for a new church. The plans were laid on the table, and the Moderator and Clerk were appointed to examine them. Rev. W. J. Robertson, for the Youth Committee, outlined the programme for services leading up to a Bible-class Rally in Invercargill on Labour Day, October 23, and a conference at Gore at Christmas. Rev. R. Francis proposed that Messrs Haining, R. Officer, and G. D. Macindoe should be appointed an interim session for Stewart Island.

Rev. D. K. Fisher and A. W. Smaill reported on a visitation of Waikiwi parish. They met with nearly 20 office-bearers, who reported on six preaching places, and several, Sunday schools and Bible-classes. They found every 7 organisation in good order and heart, and that the congregation was making substantial progress. They had been specially impressed by the development at Kennington. The Presbytery congratulated Rev. W. J. Robertson, and his office-bearers, and appointed Revs. Collie, Gardiner, and Chisholm a committee to meet- with them and take steps towards forming Kennington into a separate charge. Rev. A. McNeur referred to the good work that had been done by ministers in visiting the hospitals, but moved that Revs. Collie, Gilbert and Mr A. Scott be appointed to consider what steps might be taken to cany on this work more efficiently. Rev. J. L. Robinson seconded, and the motion was carried,