METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2749, 2 March 1910, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

SITTING AT DUNEDIN

rPmi Pituss Association.! DUNEDIN, March 1

The Methodist -Conference this morning resolved that Epsom, in the Onehunga circuit, bo transferred to the Auckland East circuit. The name of S’and'on circuit was altered to Sanson and Rangotoa circuit, Kaiwera, in Johnsonville circuit, was transferred to Thorn d.on circuit. It was decided to unite Wellington South and suburban circuits, a second minister to reside at Kilbirmo, with a home mission grant of £4O. The Hntt circuit was divided, -the new one, to be called Petone circuit, to include Petone, Wainui, Karo Karo, and Eastbourne. A memorial re division of Wairarapa South circuit was referred to the quarterly meeting for further consideration. The" Rev. H. R. Dewsbury reported the resignation of Mr. F. L. Prime, of Auckland, for over 30 years secretary and treasurer of the home mission fund. A resolution of high appreciation and good wishes was carried, and it was resolved that an autograph album with the autographs of members of the present Conference be presented to Mr. Prime. It was resolved to divide Whangaroa home mission station as soon as an agent is available. It was resolved to , appoint a probaton er to assist in the Hamilton circuit. to reside at Xgarua-wahia. The conference .re-affirmed the decison of last yea r to appoint an assistant probation minister to the Napier circuit, and assistant home missionaries are to be appointed .to Master ton, Gisborne, Blenheim, and Grey,month circuits, with suitable grants. A new home mission station was constituted at Opotik.i. It was resolved to constitute the Tuumarunui mission station circuit with a suitable grant. A resolution to appoint a homo missionary to Waiau was re-affirmed.

AFTERNOON SESSION

DUNEDIN, Marc): 1

At the Methodist Conference, in the afternoon session, it was resolved that if required the following circuits fulfil their obligations to take a married minister, viz., Westport. Motueka, and Kaiapoi. The report of the committee appointed at last conference- re Christchurch mission was submitted by tho Rev. C. N. Garland and adopted, viz.— (I) That a central mission be established in Christchurch in 1911; (2) that the staff consist of a superintendent and an assistant, and that during the initiation of the mission the assistant be a probationer; (3) that the Revs. W. A. Sinclair and X. Turner be. designated for these positions respectively.. ■ The re-ap])ointn!ent of the committee was made with the addition ox the names of Messrs L. M. Isitt and J. Smith. On the motion of the Rev. W. Slade, •it was resolved to appoint a representative committee, of management for the. Dunedin Central Mission.

The Rev. J. X. Buttle presented the report on foreign missions, which was adopted. The income for the past year wj.s £2431, an increase of £l7l. Appreciative reference was made to the deputation work of the Revs. IV. R. Boole (Fiji) and J. W. Burton, of the Indian Mission. Fiji, during t-iic year. The work of the ladies’ auxiliaries was eulogised, especiali- the Otago auxiliary which is preparing for the support or a third missionary sister in the field. The ‘‘Missionary Review” in its greatly improved condition was commended to tho various circuits.

The greeting of the conference was ordered to be forwarded to the Rev. W. Heigh way, who is shortly to visit the Dominion to do deputation work until August 10th. The Rev. J. G. Wlieen, one of the general secretaries, in Sydney, ivas invited to visit the Dominion during 1911. The Rev. J. N. Buttle was heartily thanked, and rc-ttppointeil foreign mission secretary and treasurer for Now Zealand. It was resolved to. request the general committee in Svdnov to appoint the Rev. J. IV. Burton to Now Zealand should he retire fr.*m mission work in 1911. The Revs. C. .E. Beeo.roft and T. G. Hammond were appointed to represent- the conference at the United Foreign Mission Convention to he held at Wnimariuo in January, 1911 Miss Beniamin was reported as about to leave New Zealand to take up her former work'at Fauna. Miss Jamieson (Palmerston North) has boon m* ceptc’-cl as a sister for work in the mission field, and will shortly receive an appointment. The lav missionary movement- was heartily commended to the consideration of " the June quarterly meetings. The report on public morals was presorted by tlie Rev. 'I. J. Wallis, and adopted. This included reference to an enphatic protest against the sale of liquor in the King Country, and the proposal to allow liquor canteens in volunteer camps, and rejoiced in the success of the protests. A resolution was passed expressing gratification at the assurance that licenses in tlie King Country will be cancelled during the year, and at the increasing tempera i:e ( . sentiment throughout the. Dominion. The resolution re gambling declared the totalisator to be the nursery of the gambling propensity, and that the licensed bookie has become a- greater evil than ever; that the tote, the bookmaker, and Tattersall’s required new and more drastic legislation for their suppression. , . Sabbath desecration was deplored in a special resolution, and its strict observance urged upon the churches. The second: reading of stations takes place to-morrow morning, after which the separation debate will take place.