METHODIST SYNOD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8627, 8 December 1906, Page 5

METHODIST SYNOD.

Wellington District.

[Special to Daily Times.)

The Synod, sitting at Carterton, resolved to refer the whole matter of the division of the South Wairarapa Circuit back to the December quarterly meeting of that Circuit, and that meeting. will report to the Conference.

The report of the church property was read by Mr C. W. Benbow, who was thanked for his report, and the Conference was recommended to re-appoint him.

The Synod recdmmended the Conference to station a man in the southern part of the Waipawa circuit, to work the district from Waipukurau to Ormondville.

The Rev. J. Wrigley was elected repre sentative to the Conference, with Rev. W. J, Williams as substitute representative.

The amount raised in the district for the Home Mission was reported to be £301 3s 2d, an increase of £23 on the amount estimated.

The-following grants were recommended : Hutt, £20 ; Eketahuna, £60; Pahiatua, £60; Dannevirke, £20; Levin-Otaki, £10; Waipawa, £40; Norsevvood, £20 ; Takapau, £10 The Rev. Mr Hammond was invited to be the Home Mission deputation for the district next year. The thanks of the Synod are to be sent to the Rev. William Slade, Home Mission Secretary, for his efficient work during the past year. Resolved that Synod resommend Conference to appoint and set apart exclusively the Rev. Mr Slade as organising secretary of the Home Mission fund.

The Synod discussed the resolution, moved by the Rev. W. J. Williams, in favour of legislation by the General Conference for an independent Conference for New Zealand. An amendment, moved by the Rev. C. Porter, that the time for such action is premature, was lost by 15 votes to 12. The resolution was as follows :—" That the Conference be recommended to request the next General Conference to make provision for constituting the New Zealand Conference into an independent legislative Conference, with full control of its connexional funds, etc.

The Rev. P. W. Fairclough moved, and the Synod heartily endorsed, the following resolution :—" This Synod deprecates the prevalence of the vice of gambling and the public facilities and legalised machines allowed for its promotion. It views with detestation and contempt that perversion of language, reason and conference involved in the phrase ' debt of honour, , under cover of which flagrant robberies are from time to time committed, and is of opinion that the law should place all receivers of stolen property in one category."

The Synod sent the following recommendation to Conference :—" That ministers purchasing second marriage annuity on the supernumerary fund under the new tables be allowed £1 for £1 up to the required

minimum." The chairman, secretaries, hosts, Press and reporters, were accorded votes of thanks.

The Synod resumed in representative session on Friday morning for the reading of the journal, which was duly signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and the Synod was closed by singing the Doxology.

At Victoria Hall, on Thursday evening, a conversazione was held, when there was a large attendance. Mr Jas. Brown (Mayor of Carterton) presided, and during the evening addresses were given by the Revs. Fairclough, Lawry, Thomas, and Ginger. At intervals a programme of songs and recitations were given by members of the audience. The ladies of the congregation provided refreshments.