METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2748, 1 March 1910, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

REPORT ON CHURCH PROPERTIES

fPiitt l J iu:ss Association. | DUNEDIN, Feb. 28

i The church was crowded at each service yesterday. In the morning the president, the Rev. Mr., Laws, was the preacher, and he dwelt especially upon the function of t'he Christian Church. In the afternoon the ordination took place of lie vs. Clarice, Abbey, and Paris. The ex-president-, Rev. T. Fee, delivered the .charge. In the evening the service was conducted b.y Rev. O. H. Garland. When the Conference resumed this morning the Rev. Mr. Garland, in the absence of the Rev. Mr. Bull, presented the report oil church properties. During the year 23 freehold sites have been secured for churches; 3 halls, 6 parsonages, 2 Sunday schools, and 3 infant schools have been erected. Sites have been presented to tlie churcli at Manurewa, To Kowhai, WeUsford, Seatoun; Crofton, Taumarina. and Lowchffe. The statement- of revenue and expenditure was regarded as indicating a healthy coiii dition. The Rov. H. Bull was reelected connexional secretary for the coming year. After this morning’s session the conference adjourned till the evening, in order to attend a garden party, which -was postponed from -Saturday, owing to the rain. When the question of the appointment of a successor to the Rev. H. Bull, connexional secretary, to take effect in 1911, the names of the Revs. S. Lawry, C. H. Garland, and W. Baumber were submitted to the conference by the committee. The two latter gentlemen declined the nomination. Later the names of the Revs. W. Slade and D. J. Murray were substituted by a- special committee appointed by tht> conference earlier in the day. From this nomination Rov. \V. 'Slade was allowed to retire before the voting took place. Mr. J. A. Mosher moved as an amendment that a special committee be appointed to consider the advisability or otherwise of the office being continued in its present form, feeling that the clerical work might be done by a layman, and at a less cost than is entailed by a. ministerial appointment-. Mr. W. G. Bassett, Wanganui, seconded the motion. He felt that the present was an opportune time for reviewing the whole position, the appointment of an organising home mission. secretary having considerably affected the work of the connexional secretary. Rev. T. Trestriel heartily supported the -proposal. Mr. J. C. Stephens and the Revs. J. J. Lewis and_T. Fee strenuously deprecated the abolition of the ministerial office, and held that in the previous conferences the position had been deemed necessary by practically unanimous votes. Mr. W. E. Dixon, -Hawera, hoped the committee would be set up. Mr. J. N. Buttle suggested that a committee should be appointed to report to the synods and to the next conference. The Rev. IV. Slade held tliat the office required more than a knowledge of iinanee. Such an appointee was an advisor practically to every circuit in the Dominion. This counsel could not possibly be given by other than a minister who had full knowledge and the efficiency' acquired by lengthy service in the ministry. Mr. G. H. Blackwell, treasurer of the committee, said the suggestion had come as a great surprise. -He held that there was nothing to warrant the proposal, aiid that twelve Imontlis of the office would satisfy Mr. Flesher, the mover, of the necessity of the continuance of the office in its .present form. The secretary was not to be a mere accountant, but to act as a gene rail manager. He had been connected with the office from its commencement, and the thought of the amalgamation of this office with thatof the homo mission secretary was impossible. The office was so important that tbe very best man procurable was an absolute necessity. Ho trusted no retrograde movement would be taken. In reply, Mr. 'Flesher thought there was nothing to lose by a committee being sot up to deal with the whole question, the need for review being great. On the vote being taken, Mr. Flesher’s amendment was lost by 41 votes to 62. The voting for a successor to the Rev. H. Bull was then proceeded with, and resulted in the election of the Rev. S. Lawry by practically a unanimous vote. The vote wa-~ fehcitiously acknowledged by Mr. Lawry. The report of the committee -appointed by the Inst conference to consider the 'need of an alteration of district boundaries was submitted by the convener, the Rev. S. Lawry. This suggested the constitution of a new district out of the Wanganui and Wellington districts, to be called the Taranaki district. The committee appointed to review this proposal endorsed the establishment of a new district, lui suggested an amendment in the details. The Rev. T. G. Brooke heartily supported the amendment. Mr. E. Rosevear hoped the motion would he adopted, as very full consideration had been giv<*i to the question by the conference committee during its sessions at Wellington. Mr. Dixon. Hawera, said ho was not satisfied with either report, hut preferred the amended form. Mr. W. G. Bassett. Wanganui, also preferred the amendment, and suggested a slight alteration as to names of the altered and new district. The amendment was carried by a largo majority. An amendment to the now motion was moved by Rev. E. T. Read, Waitara, in the direction of slightly altering the details, but was negatived. The, Rev. La-wry moved further that the whole question be remitted for the further consideration of the synods, the synods to report to the conference. He thought .the proposal would disturb the balance of power in conference committees, and that in the North Island especially there was further need for consideration of the boundaries of districts. The. Rev. P. W. Fairclough thought Taranaki had laid ruthless hands upon the Wellington district’s historic 'associations, which should not he lightly dealt with. He deprecated on the ground of cost the alteration of boundaries at present. Mr. La wry’s amendment was carried and adopted as the resolution of the conference. On the motion of the Rev. W, Slade, the proposals suggested by the synods and those by the conference committee form the basis of the consideration of the synods.

THE GARDEN PARTY

The garden party at “Tolcarne.” tho of Mir. Peter Duncan, this afternoon. was a very successful function. The weather was ideal, and the attendance .large.