CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3253, 28 February 1885, Page 3

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

(By Telegraph.) Auckland, Feb. 27. At the resumed sittings of the Congregational Union the question of the Pastors' Betiring Fund was brought up for consideration. Its desirability was admitted, and the Executive Committee was instructed to considerthe ■ matter during the coming year, and present at the next annual meeting code rules for the society for providing a Pastors' Retiring Fund. Ralph Martini Begg, Bobort Smith, both of Bulls ;J. Handy, New Plymouth ; John T. C. Cook, Dr Keyworth, both of Napier ; James Townsend, Wanganui ; Edwards, Waverley (Patea) ; Eeynolds, Hastings ; Neil, Napier; Abbostson, Invercargill ; W. J. L. Cross, pastor-elect of Mount Eden Church ; J. Mandun, Waikato ; J. Pearlly, Boasy, and E. Walker, Dunedin ; were admitted as associates of the Union. It was resolved that all amounts raised in the various distriots be passed through the hands of the Union Treasurer, and any amounts • contributed by any Church only on condition that they will be in support of a specific mission bo so applied. It was also decided to instroct the Executive Committee to consider the question of a jubilee of Congregationalism in New Zealand, and to report at the next annual meeting us to the best manner of celebrating it. The following resolutions, adopted at last annual meeting were re-affirmed: — "That tliis Assembly records its disapproval of any attempt to alter the present Education system of the c6lony in the direction of a return to denominationalism ; " " That it be ; referred to tho Executive Committee to take such action as they may think necessary to carry out the spirit of the foregoing resolu- • tion." ! The Bill of Incorporation was finally passed and special subscriptions are to be raised to defray the expenses of carrying it through Parliament. Mr W. L. Rowe was elected an associato of * the Union, and the Bev J. F. Mandon, T. Hanmer, J. Pearlly and E. Walker were elected on the Council of tho Union. The reports of the Finance Committee ' showed applications for grants as follows : — Great King street, Dunedin, £50 ; Linwood, ■! £50 ; Eavensbourne, £25 ; Oaraaru, £20 ; Leßon's Bay, £15. The following grants were made :— Great King street, £35; Linwood, £35 ; Oamaru, £20 ; Bavensbourne, £20. The Leßon's Bay application to the Colonial Missionary Society was also granted. The following were commended—Great King street, £50 ; Linwood, £50 ; Mount Eden, £60; Mangaroto, £30. It was, however, understood, in case the two former grants were obtained from the Society, tho Union grants should not be made, and if tho funds allowed the other grants should be increased to the amounts applied for. i The Rev. J. F. Robinson and the Rev. J. - Beckingham were instructed to arrange for the introduction to the Churches of the question of the augmentation of the site funds. The Rev. J. Thomas Roseby, LL.D., was unanimously elected Chairman of the Union for the next year.