Wesleyan Conference.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8606, 10 March 1897, Page 4

Wesleyan Conference.

Wellington, March 9. At the Wesleyan Conference the balance-sheet of the Contingent fund showed the income to be£l2O7 and the expenditure £831. The levy for the year will be 3£ per cent, the same as last year. The Rev. Mr McNicoll *nd Mr Harrison were re-elected Treasurers. The report from the Theological Hall was read. The Rev. Mr Siramonds made a powerful appeal for all students to remain at the Prince Albert College for at least three years He thought the revelations connected with the examination of probationers was disheartening. The latter were on the down grade, and he urged the Conference to absolutely decline to call out men from the College before the expiration of the term unless under exceptional circumstances. It was resolved to keep students at the College for the time stated. The Rev. Morley moved that any candidate now received be passed on the reserve list with a view to entrance to the College on a vacancy occurring. This was carried and Messrs J. H* Haslam and ,P. Keall were received on these conditions. The Rev J. C, Chapman received permission to retire from his circuit at Balclutha and leave New Zealand for England within a month. The Rev, I). A. Jourdin and W.^Cannell received permission to reside in England for a year and the Eev. "W. B. Marten was granted leave to visit England; next year if suitable arrangements can be made with his circuit, The income of the Home Mission was * Auckland, £528; Wangamri, £147 ; Wellington, £248; Nelson, £115; Canterbury, £453; OUgo, £185} Birthday League, £93 ; rents and interest, £690; total, £24,555. The expenditure was :— Maori mission, £931; Home Mission stations, £400 ; Home Mission circuit, £1022; special, £202 ; general, £17 ; debit last year,-' £122; total, £2694, Thirty circuits had exceeded their assessment, twenty-two raised the exact amount while forty-seven were under;

Later. Daring thediscussion of the Home Missiop fund at the Wesleyan Conference the proposal for a continuance of a grant to the Maori West Coast mission of the North Island elicited an snimated'debate. The Rev. MrLawry referred to the paucity of results, and the Rev. Mr Lee suggested that the mission be withdrawn unless the Maoris provided half the sum supplied. The ReV. F. W. Isitt defended the mission, declaring that the natives had improved in the face of disadvantages the missionary had to contend with in the shape of the close proximity of European evil influences. Other speakers advocated that there would be no need to curtail the expenditure if a better method was adopted in collecting the mission moneys. A self-denial was suggested, and ultimately it was decided that in order to meet the deficiency andtoprovide funds for aggressive work the Conference agrees to a week of self-denial. The proposed grants were therefore referred back t;> the Committee.

A motion expressing condolence with the family of the Rev. Mr Munro, who died suddenly while cycling in Christchurch, was carried.