CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10870, 10 September 1913, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY

TO-DAY'S MEETING. The' Christ-church Presbytery met today at St Paul's Church, the Rev J. J. Bates, moderator, presiding, there being also present the Revs G. B. Inglis, C. Murray, T. M'Donald, J. Pringle, R. H. Bkur, J. Wilson, D. D. Rodger, G. G. Howes, T. Miller, J. Watt. G, Liudsay, F. Rule, G. H. Jupp, N. M'Callum, R. M'Lean and Dr Erwin, and Messrs J. Reid, J. Sutherland, J. S. Tulloch, W. Morgan, H. Brown, J. Parlane, D. H. Fawcetb, J. Tennent, R. Blair, N. Rogers and G. Lindsay. A letter .was received from the Rev T. Tait stating that he had been asked by persons in Scotland if he could give any information concerning one David Elder, who left Scotland some ten years ago for New Zealand and had not since been heard of. He was a painter and decorator.

A call to the Rev A. D. Kirkland from Waikari was sustained, and a letter was read from Mr Kirkland accepting the charge, It ; was stated that tho stipend was £250. It was decided that the induction should take place on September 30, at 2 p.m. ' _ A commission appointed to make a visitation at West Oxford presented' its report. The Presbytery made the following finding:—That a baptismal register should be obtained and kept by the agent in the district; that an effort should be made to find someone willing to be ordained as an elder .with a view to the formation of a local session; and that the.agent's stipend should be raised to at least £l3O from local sources. ' "'

It was stated that the General Assembly would fall in Carnival Week. Preliminary arrangements for a postponement were made.

The resignation'of the Rev G. B. Inglis from the charge of the Ashburton district was received. A motion of appreciation of the services of Mr Inglis, carried by the congregation, was read. Mr J. B. Borthwick eulogised the work done, by Mr Inglis,'and reviewed the progress of the church in Ashburton during his pastorate, and other speakers also made reference to the value of his services. A motion .receiving the resignation, expressing appreciation of Mr Inglis's services and wishing him success in his new sphere, was carried with acclamation. Mr Inglis said that he would take up. work m the Auckland district. It was decided that the charge should be declared open on the first Sundav in October, and that Mr W. T. Todd" of Rakaia, should be appointed moderator to act in the matter of a call to tflie pastorate. Dr Inglis and Mr Rodger were appointed a committee to frame a minute appreciative of Mr Inglis's services.

The following motion from the o- 0 - verning body of the Ashburton church was received:—" That, in the opinion of the Ashburton Kirk Session and Finance Committee, the time is opportune, on the retirement of the Rev G. B. Inglis, for the formation of the borough of Ashburton, with Allenton and Hampstead, into a separate Presbyterian charge,' and that the Presbytery be asked to take immediate action to givo effect to the suggestion." Representatives of the congregation said that this was necessary, as the area of the charge was at present too extensive for one minister.

It was decided that the suggestion of the committee should be given effect to if practicable, and that Messrs Murray and Rodger should act with the moderator as a committee to deal with the matter.