PRESBYTERY HOLDS MONTHLY MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18992, 11 February 1930, Page 9

PRESBYTERY HOLDS MONTHLY MEETING.

QUESTIONS AFFECTING CHURCHES DISCUSSED

The Christchurch Presbytery met this morning. The Moderator, the Rev J. Miller, presided over a good attendance. Motions of sympathy were passed with the Rev Alexander M’Neur, in his illness, and the Rev E. Swinerd, of Spreydon, in the serious illness of his wife. A memorial minute dealing with the career of the Rev* W. T. Todd was read by the Rev R. M. Rvburn and adopted. It was also decided to forward a copy to his relatives. A motion was put before the meeting that the presbytery meetings should be held in future on Wednesdays instead of on Tuesdays. The Rev T. Paterson stated that the change would be a great convenience to country people. Others disagreed, one member stating that “ Tuesday seemed to be Presbyterian day the world over.” The Rev Dr Erwin said that nowhere else would they find a church court chopping and round as they were. The motion was carried by 17 votes to 6, a number refraining from voting. Cashmere Hills. A call from the Cashmere Hills congregation to the Rev J. Robertson, 8.A., of Alexandra, was sustained following on the Rev J. Hubbard, of Auckland, declining to accept the first call extended by the congregation. Members spoke highly of Mr Robertson’s work in the past and expressed the wish that he would have a most successful term of service in the ministry at Cashmere. He had intimated that he would accept the calL The motion sustaining the call was moved by the Rev J. D. Webster. The Revs J. S. Young and J. Collie were appointed to represent the Christchurch Presbytery at the Central Otago Presbytery when the call was being considered there.

St Andrew’s Church. The Rev W. W. B. Black stated that arrangements had been made for the induction of the Rev J. Lawson Robinson, 8.A., late of First Church, Invercargill, to take place in St Andrew’s Church on February 20, at 3 p.m., when Mr Ryburn would address the newly inducted minister and the moderator the congregation. He asked that as many as possible from the Presbytery should attend the function. The social welcome w’ould take place at 7.45 p.m. the same evening.

Cust-Oxford Petition. The Rev. W. R. Hutchison submitted a petition from the Cust-Oxford home mission charge for the consideration of General Assembly, that the home missionary, Mr A. Simmonds, should be raised to the full status of the ministry. Mr Hutchison said that he did not agree with the principle of the matter. He spoke highly of Mr Simmonds’s work. The Presbytery went into committee to consider the matter. It was decided to transmit the petition to the Assembly with a commendation, subject to the approval of the Home Mission Committee. Assembly Moderator On the motion of the clerk (Mr G. K. Aitken), Mr 11. H. Rose was nominated for the position of moderator of the General Assembly of New Zealand. Speaking to his motion, Mr Aitken said that everyone knew of Mr Rose's work, his fine character and the zeal % which he showed in the furtherance of 'the interests of the church. He was one of the most outstanding laymen in the Presbyterian Church. The Assembly had left a way open for the Presbytery to nominate a layman for the position. The motion was carried unanimously. A sub-committee was set up to make a recommendation to the next meeting in regard to the selection of a Presbytery moderator. Section at Spreydon. A sub-committee was set up to go into the matter of purchasing a section at Spreydon for the building of a Sunday School. Sunday School in this part, it was stated, was held in a private house, but the attendance had now become too large and better arrangements were required.