Presbyterian Assembly.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4575, 21 February 1893, Page 4

Presbyterian Assembly.

[Pee Pbkbb Association.! WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. The Bey J. Pater&on was nominated as the Moderator of the next Assembly, but declined. On the motion of ths Moderator, it was resolved — " That any minister leaving the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand and desirous to withdraw from his connection with tho fund, be entitled to receive back one-half of the rates paid by him, but without interest." On the recommendation of the Committee, the following grantß to congregations for this year were agreed to :—Presbytery of Auckland— St Peter's ,£2O, Avondale .£l2, Waiufca .£l2, Tauranga JB3O and Mohur&ngi £V 2. Preabytery of "Wellington—Pahiatua £20 and Shannon i>3o. Preßbytery of Hawke' B Bay— Hastings £20, Danevirke £20, Waipawa £12, Taradale . and Meanee £20, Gisborne and county districts £20. Presbytery of NelsonNelson £30, Kumara £20 and Totara Flat £20. Presbytery of Christchurch—Flemington and Tinwald £12, Halkett and Kimberley £20 and Malvern £20. The Assembly unanimously offered its congratulations to the Rev J. Duncan (Foxton), on hie attaining the 50fch year of hia ministry, and expressed its high appreciation of his long and faithful services. The Eev D. Gordon (Marton) was nominated as Moderator of the next > Assembly. It was remitted to the Wellington Presbytery to fully consider the question of providing a periodical for the denomination, and to report at the next Assembly. Sympathy was expressed for those who were suffering by the Queensland floods, and it was decided to encourage the Presbyterian people to contribute to the fund opened for their relief. It was moved by Dr Blmßlie, seconded by the Eev G. Webster, and carried — " That this General Assembly lodge a very emphatic protest against the action of the present Government in bestowing a grant of £500 on the Magdala Asylum, which is a purely denominational institution, and is not subject to any public inspection, and that this protest be lodged on the ground that it involves a violation of the important principal of religious equality, which should be strictly adhered to in the administration of the public affairs of the Colony." Inclosing the Assembly, it was agreed to meet at Christchurch next year.