TIMARU PRESBYTERY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14363, 8 February 1911, Page 2

TIMARU PRESBYTERY.

81-MONTHLY MEETING. Tho bi-monthly meeting of tho TinraruP resbytcry, held m Trinity Hull ycnterdav, wa.s attended by: Kevs. Dr IMack (Moderator), A. 15. Todd (Clerk), i Stin.-sou, O. Macdonaid, i.'. Wilson, (; ivmg, A. M.Caldwell, Messrs W. Howaunf C.' L. Murray, and O. T. Uorroll, ijlders. Tho Kev. King movxl to the efleut tjiat member .should receive notice of tho chief items ol business to be dealt with at Presbytery meetings, to enable them all to take an intelligent part in the business. Speaking for himself, he could not do that unless ho knew what was to como up. He did not wish to place any moro work on their worthy clerk, but printed forms could be procured to lecseu tho work. A good deal of discussion ensued on tho question, several speakers objectto giving extra work to the clerk, Mho only received a small lionorsiri-um. "Where such work was dono the clerks received salaries ranging from £25 to £3O. On being put to lite meeting, the voting was equal, xind the chairman said I bat according to the unwritten rule he would give his casting vote for the amendment that no change b> made. s Mr King said he would give notice t'> move ngsin at next meeting. Tlio T?«ev. Mr Wilson nl.*o gave notice of a motion to ascertain whether the finances would permit the Presbytery to give the clerk a permanent salfirv. ST. ANDREWS. In reply to a question in regard to the absence of any report concerning the St. Andrews charge, it was stated that the Rev. Mr Morrison had been prevented from attending tho meeting owing to bis wife's illness. One memboi said the congregation had decided t> give a-call to Mr Jeffries, a Divinity Student, and that a meeting theroatent is to bo held nort Sunday. The clerk aaid that the Church Extension Committee had granted £SO for the St. Andrews outfield.—Members expressed satisfaction on hearing this. GENERAL. Mr W. M. Robertson, a visiting evangelist, wroto from Wellington that lie would bo free from March next, 1 and he would bo pleased to hoar if there were any openings in the Timaru Prosbytery. Ho mndo no financial stipulation, and if hospitality wore provided ho would leave the rest with tlio goodwill of the people, and pay his own expenses.—Tho letter was received, members not desiring to take any action as a Presbytery. Mr McCully, clerk to tho Wanganui Presbytery, wroto asking whether the Presbytery would sanction his visiting tlio congregations in tho district about March, in tho interests of tho Maori hoys' farm.—lt was decided to refor the request to the individual ministers and congregations for their favourable consideration. Several members, however. said that March would not bo a suitable date for such a visit, and they were opposed to tho Prosbytery giving its sanction to the visit.

A • return of members' expenses for the year showed that the % total exceeded tho amount set aside. * A share of the expenses would therefore have to be paid l»v members themselves..— Tho clerk said this was no unusual thing, it occurred year after year. Their assessment for expenses was only r>s ner £IOO of the minister's salary, whilst other congregations were charged 10s. e The Rev. Mr Caldwell gave notice ot motion for next meeting that the assessment of congregations for presbytery expenses be doubled, a notice that met "with a good deal of support. Tho Rev. Mr Kins moved that *he Presbvterv welcome the visit of Ur Henrv and Mr Farquhar to labour m the Gospel within its hounds, and commends them both to tho loving care of their common Master, and prays tbat these honoured brethren may see riucft fruit to their labours 111 Timarn. Thci P."v Mr Todd seconded the rrotion which was carried unanimously. On tho suggestion tho Rev. ill Caldwell, a committee consisting or Messrs Macdonald, Stinson. MoKenzie r.nd Caldwell was set up to. take steps to mark tho occasion of the .Rev. Mr Todd's semi-jtifbdleo, he having been ordained as a minister on j 25 years ago. Messrs Oaldw eFI and. Stinscm, in speaking to tho motion, Eaid that Mr Todd's services as cierK tj the Presbytery were preatly appreciated, and it is proposed ts celebrate the occasion ia connection with the visitation of the Presbytery to Goral-

<nne. Elders' oomnasri'oTJs were received end sustained as follows: Messrs V. Hev.-son, Trinity: G. L. Murray, Albury; C. T. Unrrell, Geraldinelt. Irvine, Chalmers: D. C:iin, Temuka, O.ild J. Gnklie, Pleasant Point. The Jloderator announced that- the cnli'vtions for the Church Kxtension I'und were to be taken up ;n March. It was resolved that the Piesbj-tery a. a whole should visit Gcraldine, I'ieasant Point, and Aibury durincrthe y+ar. "beinsi the only concrregfvtiens wliirh had not been visited during the post three years. The Presbytery then adjourned to meet a?ain at 11.15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11th, in Timnni. In the eveniuc. of tluit dny they will visit the Aibury congregation.