TIMARU PRESBYTERY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18491, 5 February 1930, Page 9

TIMARU PRESBYTERY.

, MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Timant Presbytery, was held yesterday. Present—Revs. H. R. Fell (Moderator), T. Stinson, P. G. Hughes, C. G. Wilcox, W. F. Findlay, A. Alexander, W. F. Nichol, W. McNeur, W. J. Couling, J. O. Harkness. A. Begg (clerk), Elders. Messrs R. Taylor, J. G. Gow, J. W. Sangster, J. Crawford, E. R. Kingsbury, J. Henderson. The Moderator extended a welcome to the meeting to the Rev. J. S. Pate (Oreti), the Rev. W. G. Hannah (Southbridge), and A. NcNeur (Milton). > Before commencing the business, the clerk (Rev. A. Begg), intimated that the term of office of their Moderator had now expired. He had much pleasure in moving that the Rev. A. Alexander, of Albury, who was next in order, be elected to the position. This was unanimously agreed to, and Mr Alexander took the chair. Correspondence was received from the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Taverner) and the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), In reply to a resolution forwarded by the Presbyters’, protesting against the running of Sunday trains by the Railway Department. The first named writer, in his letter, informed the Presbytery that the matter had been carefully considered by the Government, and the conclusion reached was that the Government was unable to see how the Railway Department could justifiably refuse to meet the public demand for the transport facilities that were provided through the medium of the trains referred to. , In his reply, dated December 17, Sir Joseph Ward said that he had noted the reprsentations contained in the resolution, and would be glad to arrange for them to receive careful consideration. The reading of the second letter caused general laughter, but this letter, as well as the first, was received without discussion. The Rev. C. G. Wilcox (Fairlle), wrote, tendering his resignation of the Mackenzie County charge, in order to take up the charge of Opoho, Dunedin, under the Home Missions Committee. The step had been decided upon after considerable thought, and Mr Wilcox said that he severed his connection with Timaru with regret, after six and a half years’ service, during which time there had been nothing but the happiest of fellowship and co-opera-tion. He would depart for Dunedin towards the end of February. The resignation was accepted with regret, and the Moderator was appointed interim Moderator at Fairlie. General. The Rev. H. R. Fell spoke of the arrangements being made for the jubilee of the church in Temuka. which would commence on Monday, March 31st. A tender had now been accepted for the erection of the new Bible Class rooms, which would be dedicated during the celebrations. While the Temuka parish would be pleased to see as many members of the Presbytery as possible present, he would like a representative to be appointed. It was decided to nominate the Rev. A. B. Todd, of Wellington, formerly of Geraldine, as Moderator for the next General Assembly. The Presbytery accorded best thanks to the Rev. C. Wilcox for the excellent work he had done in the matter ol preparing church statistics.