METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12911, 28 February 1906, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association. DUNKDIN. February 27. At the Methodist Conference to-day. it was decided to iclieve the Hawera. circuit frcm taking a second m a tried minister for another year. Prince Albert C< llcgc muter* were dealt with, so also were these connected with the Supernumerary Fund. In the latter fund several ministeis were reported to be in arreats in their piyment«. It was decided that in future aYi such cases be dealt with. . ' * The Contingent Fund income was reported to be £llß4. ar.d the balance left for future contingencies was. £552. Several compassionate allowances to retiring ministers were voted.

Considerable discussion took pl.ice ever mission woik in Fiji, and a resolution waspassed recommending the New South W.des conference to suspend the legislation <>{ the last general conference in regard j« Fiji until the next general conference. . The report of Connexional Sunday schools was considered, and the Rev. T. N. Griffin appointed general sectetary for the coming year.

. The report .en the " Outiotik" was adepfed. and : hearty thanks were given to the retiring editor and. president. A considerable portion of the afternoon was taken up with a con>ider;«t:aa of the young men's forward movement. Gratification was expressed ,it the work done by the organising sectetary. and :t was unanimously resolved to c»i::t:nu-. the office. The appointment of secitary for the coming year was deferred.

On "naval and military matters it was decided that the Minister of Defence 02 vraiud upon re chaplain*** appointment* to volunteers, and urged that :n each hat-taliun-staff there fee rw- " ar.A that'they shall - i j«*r both Or of the sums denomination. . • " ;; .' • . •... A committee was set up in watch ard foster the appointment.'- <■;" de-u-or;ssses throughput the church hi Now "?e-iur.<:. In future there is to" be ii teim of tw>'- years' tiaining before any sifter i« to ha cmployed. At present there ire dei ccnesse« wvrfcing for the Ciurch ::i :':e volony. ~ A iinaufial difficulty m Cw-nnar.del w«s deriritcJy <\»\iU with with :::? ■"•-i*'..v.» re of the church !o <;j *m:.\. Provision wv-s imdv <•■■ '?.•* '. <y member- <! i-:e -1 a«j«.:•"?■;;;• ■■.T.;:.:"te •« sit on thai i-'ina-jttee \:i f:r.v:e dy:h.j ai" j ,its session. A reninr '0:1 (»-• J:]\>'- ,•":? > :.r< —;.,. leceived. and a cenii;;! c<c;:niitoe appointed. At the pastoral session the following 1 nvobatitners wcii- p.Tve.l in their year: M. A. R. Pratt and A. J. »>eaaien. who have travelled, three veurs : K. O. Hlamires-. A. Mcßean. ft. 1\ "Stwrkweii. .J. \Vi:-,n. who have'travelled two years; F. Copeland. A. C. Randcrson, M. A. and R. iF, Williams, who have travelled one- year.

Several were received for theological traini»g. A. M. Piper was received as a native teacher on trial, with permission to spend two years in Canterbury College, where he his secured a scholarship. The applications of the Rev. Messrs W. Keall and W. B. Marten to 3>ecoroe supernumeraries were granted, and the resignation from the ministry through ill-health'of the Rev. J. Behon was .accepted. Very high testimony was born* to the work t'i these men. In the evening a missjon.irv deiaon>;ration was held.