THE METHODIST CONFERENCE

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12475, 27 February 1909, Page 4

THE METHODIST CONFERENCE

[United Pbess Association.] ' , Wellington, Feb. 26. The annual conference of the Me- , thodist Church was continued to-day at the Taranaki Street .Church. - The ■- Rev. Thomas Fee, who was elected President last night, occupied jfoo chair. The business .of the morning was the election of the committee.s The -following laymen were elected ■to the Stationing Committee :— Aucicland District: Messrs E. WmstOne and L Wheeler; Wanganui District. Messrs E. Dixon and G. H. Bennett; Wellington District. Messrs J . <*. . Harkness and G. Tiller; • Nelson Dis- , trict, Messrs E. H. Penny and A. A. Lucas; Canterbury District: Messrs G. H Blackwell, R. Turner, and J. A. Flesher; Otago District : Messrs J. i . Arnold, M.P., and E. Rosvere. A special committee met. this afternoon to consider the proposal to establish a central mission in Wellington. The first business to-morrow morning will be the • consideration of the balance-sheet by the Stationing Committee., i , '. ' ' _ • ■ , • The Rev Thomas Fee, who was elected President of the Conference, was born in Ireland in 1850. After a brief experience in business, he entered the teaching profession; and taught for some years in Ireland. He came out to New Zealand in 1873, and caf--ried on for a while his profession as teacher until he was called into the ministry. He was trained for his newwork at the Methodist institution at the Three Kings, in Auckland. r Since then ' he J has worked in the Ministry. Last year he devoted himself to prompting the no license movement, of which he is a strong and staunch advocate. Mr Fee is a- very witty and fluent speaker. ■'■•■-. The Rev. F. Lawry . the secretary, has had much previous experience in coiinection with the Conference \york Four years ago he was President of the Conference, and. for two years prior to that was secretary. Last year he was also secretary of the Conference. Mr Lawry is a well-known minister ¥ having ocupied some of the most prominent circuits in New Zealand. The practically unanimous vote that reelected him as secretary was a recognition of his strong character - and sound judgment. .. ' A conversaziqhe, with a record at-tendance-Hvas held in :Wesley. Hall this evening The Rev. Si J. Serpell gave an address of welcome to the delegates'. A programme of vocal and liocutionary items was contributed. The Rev, H.E. Bellhouse delivered ar admirable address, relating to the responsibilities of the younger members i,i connection with the Church, which had given them a splendid heritage,, of which they should be most proud.