THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7062, 14 January 1891, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY.

An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch ; Preabytery was opened at eleven o'clock ; this morning in St Paul's schoolroom ; ; present— Revs P. E. Monro (Moderator), I Dr ELmslie, A. Blake, Icwin (Clerk), A. M. ! Beattie, Gordon Webster, J. H. Mac- i kenzie, J. Sniellie, Findlayson, Rodger, E. j Tout, N. M'Calluin, P. J. Eiddell, H. , Adamson, E. Erwin, W. West, and Messrs ' Bitchie, Boag, Young, Allison, Parr, : Thompson and N. M'Callum (Elders). j On the motion of the Rev Gordon | Webster, seconded by the Eev H. Irwin, • the Eev H. Adamson was elected Moderator i for tho present year. The Eev Moderator, in taking his seat, said he hoped that the sympathy and i assistance that had been extended to the J lait Moderator would be extended to him, j so that the work that came before the j Presbytery should be despatched with that smoothness and regularity which invariably ' marked its work. The Eev T. Jolly, ' of Clutha, was associated with the Presbytery during the meeting and took his seat. The minutes of the last meeting of the Presbytery , and the changes made during the pabt year in the list of elderß and ! ministers of the Presbytery, were read, i The Eeva H. Irwin, B. Findlay, and Mr A : Eitchie were appointed a commission for the visitation of the Lyttelton congregation. A letter from the Eev J. Patterson stated that the Eev J. Smellie had recommended Mr Jame3 Smith, of Fernsido, for lay u.iasionary work in the Acuberley district, and the writer asked for a recommendation from the Presbytery on the subject. Aftersome discussion the Eev P.E. Monro moved, and the Ei'v J. Smellie seconded — "That the Rev Dr Elmslie and the Keys E. Erwin and J. H. Mackenzie bo a Committee to interview Mr Smith on the subject of his application to the Church Extension Committee." A call was read from the congregation of Wyndham, Lower Mataura, to the Eev James Smellie, of Eangiora. The call was signed by ninety-three members and fiftytwo adherents of the congregation. Correspondence was read from the Eev J. M. Davidson, of Mataura, and the Eev J. Asher, stating that the call was a perfectly unanimous one. Mr Johnston, of the Eangiora congregation, expressed keen regret at the loss threatened by the translation of Mr Smollie, and spoke generally on the subject of the call. Mr C. Jenningß spoke on the same subject. The Eev J. Smellie spoke briefly on the subject of his three years and two months stay in Eangiora, and his willingness to accept the call. The Eev Gordon Webster spoke in the very highest terms of the Eev Mr Smellie's work. The Eev J. Smellie accepted the call, which was handed to him by the Moderator. The congregation of Kangiora was declared vacant. On the vote of the Eev Gordon Webster, the Eev Eobert Erwin was appointed Moderator for Eangiora. The Eev Eobert Erwin made a highly satisfactory report of a visitation to the Lincoln and Prebbleton congregations. The report was adopted. The Eev E. Erwin reported that the Committeee appointed to consider the subject of church extension recommended that schemes 1 and 2, contained in the document sent down by the Assembly's Committee, be not approved. He moved the adoption of the report. The motion was seconded by the Eev A. M. Beattie, and was carried. The Eev E. Erwin moved the notice of motion standing in his name — " That for the future the Preabytery meet at 10.30 instead of 11 a.m." The Eev E. West seconded the motion. The Eev J. H. Mackenzie moved an amendment — "That the Preßbytery meet at 10.30 a.m., and adjourn at 12.30 tor half an hour." An amendment moved by the T?ev J. H. Mackenzie, seconded by the Eev A. Blake, that the Presbytery meet at 10.30, adjourning at one o'clock for hatf-an-hour, was carried. The Eev H. Adamson wan elected Moderator for Halkett and Kimberley, and the Eev D. D. Eodger, Moderator for Amberley. The Eev Gordon Webster, Moderator for Leeston congregation, reported on a meeting between himself and that congregation on the subject of filling the post of minister to that church.

The Presbytery, after the discussion of some private business, adjourned.

Reserve Corps.— The Honorary Reserve Corps haß decided to enter for the teams match at the New Zealand Rifle Association meeting. Some members of the corps will, it is expected, attend the meeting in the new uniform, which consists of a Khakee suit, with, as a compliment to the late commander of the corp3, Colonel Brett, his crest in silver on the collar and hat. The creet consists of a lion rampant, with the motto, " Virtu et valor a."

A Splendid Present. — The news that the Messra Rhodes intend to make a gift of the large piece of land known as the " old show ground" to the town of Timaru will, we are sure, he received with the greatest satisfaction by the public. The position of the old show ground is very central, and it can be terraced and greatly improved at small cost. The borough reserves set apart for recreation purposes are, from a popular point of view, quite out of tb.9 way. What is greatly needed is a spot easily accessible from all parts of the town, and this the people of Timatu will have in the new "park."