MATAURA PRESBYTERY

Southland Times, Issue 20148, 7 April 1927, Page 4

MATAURA PRESBYTERY

DISTRICT BUSINESS. TUESDAY’S MEETING. The ordinary bi-monthly meeting of the Mataura Presbytery was held on Tuesday and attended by the Revs. R. D. McEwan (moderator), S. E. Hill (clerk), R. Mackie, F. M. Beattie, W. F. Falconer, J. Cawley, A. W. Smaill, W. J. Cooling, D. 11. Hay, W. Hjiin, J. Bates, Messrs Jardine and Wells (home missionaries), and Messrs R. L. Byars, W. Stark, W. B. Johnston, W. Reid, J. A. Johnston, W. Hall, W. J. Shaw and J. D. Hopkins (elders). The moderator extended a cordial welcome to Messrs Morton (supply Kelso) anil Wells (missionary in charge at Redan). It was resolved that the Rev. J. Pringle, M.A., Dunedin, be nominated as moderator of Synod for 1928. The Rev. J. E. Lopdell wrote acknowledging receipt of the Presbytery’s letter of appreciation of his services while under the jurisdiction of the Mataura Presbytery. —The letter was received. The Rev. R. D. McEwan wrote tendering his resignation as reporter to the Outlook. —The resignation was accepted with regret. The Rev. W. F. Falconer was appointed reporter to the Outlook. The Rev. D. McLean, Oamaru, forwarded a list of dates available for evangelistic services within the bounds of the Presbytery from August to October. The following places and dates were agreed to: Mataura, August 14 to 28; Edendaie, September 4 to 18; Waikaka Valley, September 25 to October 9; Knapdale, October 16 to 30. The Rev. Bissett would be the Assembly’s evangelist. The Rev. W. Comrie, treasurer of the Assembly’s funds, forwarded a list of levies on parishes for the various activities of the church. • These were now due, and he asked for the Presbytery’s co-operation and assistance in having the matter attended to. — The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. A lengthy letter was read from the Rev. H. Barton relative to the visitation of several ministers and foreign field missionaries. These would include the Revs. G. McNeur, Gray, Millar and Asher, together with several lady missionaries. The' idea was to carry on an intensive campaign within the bounds of the Presbytery. The party would give two days in Mat aura and two days within the Clutha Presbytery. May 8 and 10 were set down for Gore and 11 and 12 for Clutha. The Rev. R. D. McEwan enlarged upon the matter. There were eight speakers in the party, and 15 charges to be visited. It was also suggested that two or three Bible class rallies be held. A luncheon would be held on the Tuesday. This would embrace church officials and their wives and the leaders of various activities. There would also be open public meetings. The ideal was to give an impetus to church officials and their work, as well as an incentive to their young people. After a discussion on the aims and objects of the party it was resolved that the Revs. R. D. McEwan (moderator), Beattie, Falconer, Hay and the clerk be the Presbytery’s committee to make arrangements for the visit of the party, with power to add representatives of other church activities to the committee. The following itinerary was fixed for the Sunday services, one speaker being set apart for the places named: Gore morning, Mataura evening, Bible class rallies in the afternoon. Waikaka Valley morning, Knapdale afternoon, Pukerau evening. Kelso, Tapanui and Crookston to arrange their hours of service. Wyndham morning. Bible class afternoon, Edendaie evening. Waikaia, Riversdale and Waikaka to arrange hours of service. Brydone and Redan to be visited by the Rev. Budd. It was also decided to arrange for Bible class rallies at Gore, Wyndham and Tapanui. Several matters of detail in the arrangements were also referred to the committee. The Rev. A. W. Smaill forwarded report on the condition of the Riversdale Church building which required repairs. He considered the need was urgent, and recommended accordingly.—The recommendation was approved and the claim ordered to be sent to Synod. An application for a grant of £5O for manse and church repairs in addition to the ordinary grants at Waikaia was also considered. The Rev. J. Bates had visited the buildings, and recommend that the repairs were necessary.—lt was decided to recommend the application to Synod. Mr W. B. Johnston said that in 1916 the Gore congregation sold its East Gore property. The property had since fallen I back on to its hands and was resold. A rule of Synod was that a certain proportion of the proceeds should go to the Synod, but the Gore session desired the whole of the proceeds.—Mr Hill said the Presbytery’ could not override the Synod’s regulations. —Mr Beattie stated that the site of the property was a gift to the Gore church. The Synod only helped to erect the manse.—Mr Johnston moved “That the Synod be re-

quested to direct that the total proceeds of the sale of the East Gore property (manse and glebe) be paid to the Gore Church.”—The motion was carried. The following visitations were decided upon, to be held as early as possible: Gore, the Revs. Mackie and Hay and their elders; Edendaie, the Revs. Beattie and Mackie and their elders; Waikaka, the Revs. J. Bates and W. J. Couling. The Rev. S. E. Hill reminded the Presbytery of the Bible class camp at Tapanui at Easter time. The Revs. Beattie and Mackie would be the speakers ,and a hearty invitation was extended to all. He could assure all visitors of a very hearty welcome. It was decided to hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 19, in order to deal with a call to the Rev. J. E. Adams to the Wyndham Church. The Rev. F. M. Beattie gave notice of motion that in future the Presbytery meet monthly instead of bi-monthly as at pre-

sent. Mackie would be the speakers, and a hearty After dealing with some, routine business the meeting adjourned.