SYNOD MEETS

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 8

SYNOD MEETS

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND DISTRICTS REV. A. C. WEDDERSPOON MODERATOR (Special to the Times.) Oamaru, August 29. The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland was commenced in St. Paul’s Church this afternoon. There was a representative gathering of ministers and church elders present, the Moderator, the Rev. A. McNeur, presiding. The Synod was opened with prayer by the Moderator. The Rev. McNeur then vacated the chair and the Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon was elected Moderator of Synod for 1933. The clerk of the Synod (Dr J. Cumming) announced changes in ministerial positions in Otago and Southland during the year and the Moderator received ministers attending Synod for the first time, the Revs. S. C. Francis, J. T. V. Steele, J. Badcock, J. Anderson, T. A. Speer and W. G. Hannah being introduced and welcomed to Synod. Motions of condolence with the relatives of the Rev. A. M. Finlayson, Professor W. Hewitson, the Rev. W. Scorgie, the Rev. J. C. Patterson, the Rev. G. Lindsay and Mr J. M. McNaughton (church elder), who had passed away during the year, were carried in the usual manner.

It was decided to convey greetings to the Rev. A. Greig, senior member of the Synod, congratulating him on attaining his 95th birthday on August 10. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring Moderator, the Rev. A. McNeur, for his services during the year. The following committee was appointed to examine Presbytery records: The Revs. R. G. McDowall (convener), R. N. Alley, J. H. Thomson, H. Hogg, J. S. Murray and D. McNeur. A letter was received from the Otago branch of the Council of Religious Education requesting that a grant of £2OO be made by the Synod to employ an organizer to inaugurate the Nelson system of religious instruction in State schools in Otago and Southland. After very full discussion it was decided on the motion of Dr Cumming, that the Synod, although sympathizing with the council’s request, had no funds from which the grant lawfully could be made. Nomination of Professor. The Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property wrote asking the Synod to concur in its nomination for Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the Otago University in succession to the late Professor Dunlop. The following committee was appointed to go into the question and to report to a later meeting of the Synod: The Revs. D. C. Herron (convener), Drs J. Cumming, J. Dickie and Merrington, the Revs. W. Trotter, H. H. Barton, J. D. Smith, J. Chisholm, W. A. Gardiner, W. Mac Lean, J. I. V. Steele, J. S. Murray and R. D. McEwan, Messrs J. B. Grant, D. M. Greig, W. A. McCaw and A. Gray. The report of the finance committee, presented by Mr J. M. Dick, was adopted and the following finance committee for the ensuing year was appointed: The Rev. John Kilpatrick and Mr J. M. Dick (joint conveners), Drs J. Cumming and Merrington, the Revs. W. Trotter, R. G. McDowall, J. D. Smith, A. Watson and G. L. Taylor, Messrs W. H. Adams, J. Russell, R. Miller and A. A. Campbell. It was decided to pay from the available surplus from the educational fund for the year ending December 31, 1933, half the amount to the Otago Presbyterian College Board of Governors towards the salaries of the principal and staff of the John McGlashan College, and half to the board of the Columba College towards salaries. Grants Sanctioned. The finance committee reported on grants made during the year and it was resolved that the following grants be sanctioned:— Presbytery of Dunedin:—Church maintenance at Chinese Church, Opoho and Purakanui. Presbytery of Clutha: Church maintenance at Owaka, Tahatika, Purekireki and Kaitangata. Presbytery of Southland: Church maintenance at Bluff, Woodend and to Waikivi from the present date, the previous one on April 18 to be cancelled; new manse and site for First Church (Invercargill). Presbytery of Central Otago: Addition to the Queenstown Church; church maintenance at Tarras, Luggate, Pembroke and Queenstown. Presbytery of Mataura: Church maintenance at East Gore and Kelso. It was decided that a special grant should be made for extensive church repairs for First Church, Dunedin, up to £5OO at the rate of £1 for every £2 contributed by the congregation. Under an interim act to be taken up with a view to its final adoption at the next Synod meeting, it was decided, contrary to the recommendation of the finance committee, that a special grant should also be made for church repairs at St. Paul’s Church (Oamaru) on a £1 to £2 subsidy. It was resolved that the application be granted from Alexandra for the balance from the sale of glebe sections to be expended for manse purposes as agreed to by the Presbytery, and the the Church Board of Properties be authorized to pay over to the congregation accordingly. The finance committee was invested with full Synodical povzers to deal with applications for grants that might arise. After the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Moderator the adjournment was taken.