PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 290, 7 December 1928, Page 5

PRESBYTERY OF WANGANUI

MEETING AT MARTON < The Presbytery of Wanganui met at Marton on Tuesday. The Rev. C. W. Watt, A-lodcrator, presided, and there was a large attendance of representatives. Elders’ Commissions were received on behalf of Messrs. Win. Bruce, and Alex Kerr, Wanganui; A. Sutherland, Fordell; A. R. Munro, Taihape; R. Williamson, Shannon; A. F. Stuart, Bulls; F. W. Marshall, Feilding Outfields; P. H. Clemens, Wanganui; S. Sorenson, Jas. Wallace and J. J. Whitehead, Palmerston North; A. Clerk, Marton; and Geo. Humphries. Wanganui East. An apology fur absence was received from Air J. J. Whitehead. The Rev, E. Bandy reported that Ohakune and Raetihi were without home missionaries. The work under the previous missionary at Raetihi bad not been prosecuted very successfully and on representations being made to the Home Mission superintendent, tho resignation of the missionary wa. accepted. A suggestion was made from the district that Ohakune and Raetihi might now be joined together to make a sanctioned charge. The difficulty about this was the wide expanse of territory surrounding these centres. Mr Bandy suggested chat, if possible, a single man be appointed and a grant of £4O or £5O be secured to help the finances, which had gone back considerably. The Presbytery decided not to unite there stations, that appointments to these stations be made as early as possible, and that a grant of £5O be applied fur in favour of Raetihi. The Missionary at Mangaweka had resigned. The Home committee was urged to make the best appointments to all these stations as speedily as possible. It was decided to recommend to the Home mission committee to extend the period of Mr Murray’s ministry at Apiti for another year. Tho Rev. G. T. Brown outlined the present position of the Palmerston North and Feilding outfields which was unsatisfactory in many’ ways. Hatcombe had wished to be disjoined from Feilding outfields and was eventually taken under the care of Bt Paul’s session. That left the missionary with a free Sunday evening and as there seemed to be an opening at Kopane for an evening service, Mr Marshal began services there. The difficulty arose from the fact that Kopane was within the area of the Palmerston North utfields. A meeting of representatives of the various sessions involved vas called in Palmerston North tu discuss these problems and the finding u* that meeting was presented to the Presbytery. Air Marshak. Mr Brown, of \Vaiata, and Air Bartholomew, of Fcilding, spoke explaining tho position. It was decided that the suggestions made at that conference lie on the table until next meeting. An interesting report upon the youth work was handed in by Rev. W. Elliott and a report upon the summer school held recently in Wanganui was handed in by the Rev. G. King. Thu ladies of Wanganui were cordially thanked for their kindness to the missionaries.

Reports concerning the General Assembly hc.d in Auckland were held over until next meeting. The Rev. J. Patterson reported that the Bible in Schools committee had now been amalgamated with the Public Questions committee and had been located iu Dunedin.

A certificate acknowledging Mr John Allen, son of Mr A. A. Alien of Terrace End, as a student for the Ministry under the jurisdiction of the Pres bytery was authorised.

The Rev. J. Watt, who mis been assistant to the Rev. John Patterson in V\ .aganui, is for private reasons retiring from his work to return to Christchurch. On tho motion of the Rev. John Paterson, seconded by Al” Bruce, the Presbytery expr- sed great, appreciation for the work that Air Watt had been doing.

It was decided to call the next meeting on F bruary 12.