WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4546, 18 November 1882, Page 3

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Baiineßß was resumed at 10 o'olock yssterday morning. Under the question of what divieioa or alterations of oirouits do wo recommend, it was proposed — " (That the District Meeting be asked to recommend Oonferenoe to ao adjust the boundaries of Bangiora oirouit as to in* olude Ohoka in the Woodend oirouit." Mr Little, the mover of the resolution, strongly urged the readjustment upon the ground of finance and expedience. Mr Graham, the representative from Bangiora, opposed the resolution, as giving an unfair advantage to Woodend. The motion was negatived. Tho Bey J. Bishworth was elected to attend the Conference in company with the Chairman, as representative of the district. In reply, Mr Bishworth thanked the gentlemen for the honour of his appointment, and would aßßura them that it should be his aim to deserve the confidence which they had reposed in him. No report on book affairs was presented, but the Ohairman informed the meeting that Messrs (Turner and Harris would give a full statement to the ensuing Conference. A statement re the '''New Zealand Wesleyan" wag read by the Ohairman, showing that the amount of £256 15s 4d was owing to the book-room. The number of monthly issue was over 1400 oopies ; the circulation gradually improving. It was resolved — " That the thanks of this meeting are due to the Bey V 7. Morley for the very able manner in which he hat discharged the duties of editor of the 'Wesleyan 1 during the past year, and would recommend that ho be re-appointed. Tho Ohairman strongly urgod that an attempt bo made to securo a weekly issue of the paper. He believed that the circulation would be largely inoroaeed if it could be made » weekly instead of monthly. At present many matters relating to cirotiita were either ourtailod or excluded altogether. In many oases oirouit intelligence was so long delay ed that it ceased to be interesting. (The farthest parts of the Colony were now within easy communication, so that information could be rapidly oonveyed. Tho Bey J. Bishworth and others spoke in favour of the suggestion of a weekly issue of the paper. Mr Smith would like to see a weekly papor among them, but he oould see difficulties in the way. A weekly issuo would necessitate the sotting apart of a minister for the purpose, for no one could edit a weekly paper and conduct the ordinary work of a circuit. The Bey W. Marten read report of tho Committeo appointed to consider the question of establishing a " Loan Fund," by whioh to assist burdened churches, and to carry on Church extension in New Zealand. On the motion of the Boy J. Simmonds, seconded by the Bey E. Beat, it was resolved to recommend the report to Conference for its adoption. Mr Manoheßter proposed— "That when a minister be removed from a cirouit against tho wishes of himself and circuit, the exponßOß of such removal shall be a charge on tho Contingent Fund." The Bey J. Bishworth apoko against the motion. It conflicted with the ruleß and usages of the connoxion, and would lead to results which all present would doprecato. The motion was lost. It was resolved, on tho motion of the Bey E.Best, seconded by the Boy W.Keall—" That tho Conference be requested to appoint a minister or suitable agont to act as general missionary or evangelist in tho district. His duties to be defined by Conference, and performed under the direction of tho Ohairman of the district." It was reported that a new church and parsonage on tho East Belt had been erectod, cost £3300 ; new ohurch at Tai Tapu, cost £750; new churoh at Willoughby, cost £192. The ohuroh at Soafield in the Ashburton cirouit had been removed to Wakanui, whore a village oettlemont is springing up, and whnro a Rite of land had been given by Mr Edward Thomas. The Durham street circuit made an application for permission to sell the old ohurch sito in Woolston, a new site having boon Becured in a moro eligible position. The Colombo road oirouit asked permission to erect a Sunday school. Tho St Albans cirouit i ought permission to . sell churoh site at Shirley and aoouro one in a bolter position. . Leoston cirouit appliod for permission to erect n paraonago. Kaiapoi circuit proforrod a request to sell the old school building for tho purpose of i erecting a more commodious structure s All thoRO applications having duly received :. t!jo sanotion of tho Cirouit Quarterly Boards, wero recommended for the approval of Conn feronce. o The Chairman stated that the St Albani

, quarterly meeting' was of opinion that an , attempt ehould bo made to cell the present '• ohuroh site at Papanui, so as to obtain another in that populous and growing locality. He waß, however, sorry to cay that the trustees of the church did not seem inclined to take any step? in the matter, consequently they could not present an application. After some discussion on the desirability of something being done to further the interests of the Church in the district of Papanui, it was resolved — "lhat Messrs Dawson, Marten, and Mouldey be v deputation, to confer with tho trustees on the matter." The atatiitical returns showed that there are in the district, 48 ohurohes, 30 other preaohing places, 17 ministers, 2 Home Mission agents, 88 lay preachers, 58 claes leader*, 1602 Ohuroh members, with 122 on trial for membership, 220 communicants, 227 catechumens, 48 Sabbath schools, 466 teachers, 6130 Sunday school scholars, and 13,365 attendants on public worship. Aftor discussing several questions of a miscellaneous character, Tho Her IS. Best proposed, and the Eev J. Smith seconded — "That a vole of thanks be accordod to the Hey W. Morley for the able and courtoous manner with which, as Chairman, he had conduoted the buainoss of the session." Carriod. Votes of thanks were also tendered to the Bora J. Aldred and W. Marten as Secretaries, to the Kovs 0. H. Btandage and W. Xinaley as reporters to the Prosa. The session olosed at half-past four by tho Chairman pronouncing tho Benediction.