TARANAKI PRESBYTERY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1931, Page 8

TARANAKI PRESBYTERY

PROGRESS IN THE DISTRICT. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S VISIT. A meeting of the Taranaki Presbytery was held at Stratford on Wednesday, the Moderator (the Rev. H. E. Stuart) presiding over a good attendance. The Presbytery passed a resolution of sympathy with ■ the Manaia elder, Mr. T. A. Bridge, in the loss of a son and brother. ( ■ ■, The New Plymouth congregation reported that .the foundation stone of the new church would be laid by the Gov-ernor-General towards the end of July, and extended an invitation to the Presbytery to be present. The invitation was accepted. The Rev. J. A. Ryburn reported that Mr. J. B. Wheatley, Qpunake, had been ordained. He also reported upon the tri--ennial visitation of Opunake. This charge was improving, and increased interest was manifested in all phases of the work. .: , ■ -. The Rev. R. E. Evans reported on.the work of the Normanby charge. “Never,” said Mr. Evans, “in my eight years of contact with Normanby have I found if so optimistic. The charge has taken a new lease of life, so much so that it asked for a commission of the Presbytery to devise means of giving to Normanby more territory. : ; The Presbytery appointed the ministers and elders of Patea and Waverley a commission.

The Rev. J. A. Ryburn, on behalf of the plans and finance committee, reported approval of the plans and specifications for the New Plymouth church. Steps were ordered to be taken in reference to the ordination of Mr. C. C. Sedgwick. The progress of the Religious Instruction in Primary Schools Enabling Bill was noted with satisfaction and approval, and the clerk was instructed to circularise M.’sP. for Taranaki asking for their support of the Bill. Mr. G. B. Stephenson, superintendent of the Social Service Association, Wellington, addressed the Presbytery on his work, and was thanked for information given. The Presbytery passed a resolution congratulating Mr. T. A. Bridge on completing 30 years of his eldership in the Manaia congregation, and also upon almost 30 years as a member /of the Presbytery, and wishing him many years more of service.