WANGANUI PRESBYTERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 39, 16 February 1939, Page 9

WANGANUI PRESBYTERY

MEETING AT MARTON COMMITTEES SET UP (Own Correspondent). MARTON, Feb. 15. Careful attention was given to the drawing up of Presbytery committees for the ensuing year when the Presbytery of Wanganui met at Marton yesterday. The following committees were set up:—Youth, Rev. A. H. Norrie (Wanganui) and Rev. T. H. Burton (Palmerston North); life and work and public questions, Rev. T. H. Burton; property and finance, Rev. A. C. McLean; students, Rev. J. Hubbard; statistics, Rev. A. H. Norrie. The Revs. L. H. Ker and A. W. Smaill were asked to make plans for the Presbytery Retreat. Mr. J. Grant was appointed P.S.S.A. representative and the Rev. T. H. Burton representative of the Missions Committee. A list of charges and mission stations due for the triennial visitation was presented and in each case a commission of ministers and elders was appointed to carry this out. A letter was received from the As-

sembly's Life and Work Committee requesting that preparations be made for local celebrations for the Centenary on the second Sunday in March 1940. A committee, with the moderator as convener, was set up to make recommendations.

Some discussion took place on questions relating’ to evangelism as sent on by the Assembly Committee. It was decided to ask sessions to give earnest consideration as to what might be done in the way of holding missions in each charge and station. The treasurer of the Presbytery, the Rev. C. W. Watt, presented the report of a careful investigation of the principle upon which the travelling expenses of members attending Presbytery meetings had been paid After considerable discussion, it was decided to adopt the principle of paying 3d, and, in special cases, 31d. per mile for cars and railway fare where it was necessary to travel by train, though it was recognised that in the

majority of cases this would not cover the full cost. If necessary, additional assessment of congregations is to be made to meet this. At the request of the Rev. A. L. Dixon, a commission was appointed to investigate and to report upon the future of the church building at Halcombe. Mr. L. J. Hodson (Apiti) drew attention to the 40th anniversary of the Apiti Church, which is to be celebrated next Sunday. The services are to be conducted by the Very Rev. George Budd. The moderator, Rev. J. Hubbard, was requested to represent the Presbytery at the social function on Monday evening.

The Rev. T. H. Burton reported on the plans made for a rally of youth workers in the Presbytery to be held in Marton on Saturday, Feb. 25, when special discussions would be led by Sister Elizabeth Allan and the Rev. A. A. Brash.

It was decided to accept the invitation to hold the April meeting at St. Paul’s Church, Wanganui. Yesterday’s meeting was the first of the year and was held at St. Andrew’s Church, Marton. The moderator, the Rev. John Hibbard, presided. Several newly-commissioned 'elders were welcomed and also Mr. Johnston, a student for the ministry.