THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2090, 16 January 1908, Page 1

THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press Association. DUNEDIN, Jan. 15. Tho itinerary of tho Rev. J. Flanagan has been arranged' in the following order : —lnvercargill, Tima.ru, Dunedin,. Ashburton, Wanganui, Thames, AVailii, Hamilton, Auckland, and Christchurch, with farewell .Sumdays in Christchurch and Wellington. The evangelist will’ visit tho places mentioned in tho order named. Each circuit is to bo held responsible for its own share of the expenses of tlio mission. A balance-sheet .is -to be submitted to the general treasurer immediately the mission concludes. Each week’s meetings aro to conclude on Thursday, so as to leave Friday free for rest and travelling. Tho conference delegates’ exponses fund showed a total of £271, an average per delegate of £2 10s Bd. A sgoci'al resolution of thanks and appreciation was accorded to the ltov. A. J. Smith and the Rev. A. T. Glittery, of England, for their efforts in connection with the English conference. Statistics for 1908 show : Churches 75, an increase of 4, houses 40, an increase of 1; total cost of property £62,013 12s 3d, present value £73/269 11s 2d, insured for £32,165; premiums £144, debt £17,835 12s 3d; paid off this year £459, gross income £4658 19s 9d, outgoing £4519 15s 4d; other preaching places 89, hearers 9972, ministers 39, circuit missionary 1, home missionaries 4, local pr eachers 173, class leaders 58, church members 2882, an increase ef 60. The deaths were 17. The secretary (Rev. J. Dawson) reported that the permission had been given to Clifton South, Oamaru, and Linwood to make an alteration in their

buildings. A. section bad been* given to Pori run church on which' to build a house. A handsome church hail boon built in. Donald McLean-stroor,, Wellington, costing £I7OO, and £I3OO had been raised during the last three years. Tho Island Bay church bad boon removed to a central position. The removal, cost £BO, all of which had been raised. The church at Granity had been completed, the electric light being installed. Permission bail bee it given to erect a schoolroom and make alterations to the church at Wanganui, and to erect churches at Hautapu (Waikato), and at Greendale. A manse is in process of erection at Edondale. Tomuka station requested permission to sell the parsonage. Permission was granted. An application was made by the authorities of the AVaihi station, who bad asked leave to sell the parsonage and build oil a better site, and Stratford also made a. similar request. The report of tho Jubilee loan fund was received, showing an increase of £290 18s (klj and expenditure of £l9O 0s 7tl, leaving a balance of £IOO bs lid. The capital value was £1430 lls ILL The matter of ministerial salaries was introduced by the Otago and Southland district. Air. (1. Frogatt moved' that the salary be £45, exclusive of tho parsonage and children’s fund. ;Mr. D. Goldie seconded pro forma. This was 'intended to apply to those who have been off probation over four years, £4O per quarter to be paid to ministers for the first four years after probation. Mr. C. E. Bellringer moved an amendment that, wherever practicable stations should pay a minimum salary of £45 per quarter; to other ministers who completed probation, £4O per quarter; probationers £2B and £3O per quarter respectively, and that the whole qenstion be referred to the quarterly meetings for consideration, with a view to some generally acceptable and practicable scheme* being inaugurated for the better payment of our ministers; that tho decisions of the quarterly meeting bo sent to the district meetings to be remitted to the next conference for final decision. Tile amendment was seconded by the Rev. E. Drake. Tho subject provoked much discussion. The amendment was carried by to 15. A letter of greetings received from the Rev. A. Don, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The letterwriters were instructed to suitably reply to the very kindly communication. The examination committees’ report showed : Probationer in fourth year, C. A. Sims, 253 out of 000; third year, J. Harris, 443 out of 600; B. Mctson, 445; second year, A. Armstrong, 473, out of 000; 11. Daniel, 405; E. White, 487. First year, F. Thompson, 477, out of 000; D. B. F. Carlisle, 407. Candidates, A. ,1. B. Daird, 299 out of 400. Air. Da-irs was received as a probationer, and Air. J. ■ F. Doherty recommended for a home missionary. At the Primitive Methodist Conference to-day. it was notified that tho Rev. Wnrburton, of Auckland, had applied for superannuation, and it was agreed to recommend bis caso to the English authorities.