IV.

The report of the Church Extension Committee was brought up by the Rev. Mr. Stuart. One preacher, the Rev. J. M'Cosh Smith, M.A. page 43 B.D., had arrived during the year; and two others, the Rev. Messrs Macara and Cameron, were appointed and expected to arrive soon. The Rev. James Baird, preacher, had been settled at Hampden; Rev. J. M'Cosh Smith, at Naseby (the centre of Mount Ida Goldfield); Rev. James Copland, of Lawrence, at North Dunedin; Rev. James Clark, of Riverton, at Palmerston; Rev. John Gow, of Hokitika, at St. Andrew's, Dunedin. The congregations vacant are—1, Lawrence; 2, Tapanui; 3, Riverton; 4, Alexandra and Blacks (through the resignation of the Rev. G. S. Ross); 5, Lower Waitaki; 6, Waitahuna (so soon as it is sanctioned as a separate charge). In addition, the charge of Balclutha is vacant through the resignation of the Rev. A. B. Arnot.

The preachers available for supply are Messrs. Bett (who will probably be settled at Tapanui); M'Lean, C. S. Ross and Arnot. Mr. Fleming, a divinity student, will be immediately licensed and added to the number. Since the report was given in, the Rev. A. Blake has been transferred to the work of the Church, and declared open to a call. The report complained of the small funds available for its work; recommended founding of scholarships by congregations to encourage suitable students for the ministry; and suggested the employment of students in home mission work. The report was adopted with thanks; the Committee empowered to employ ministers or probationers newly arrived who are duly certified by the Presbyteries of this Church; and Presbyteries enjoined to see that the collections for the fund are made in all their congregations.

On the motion of Mr. Stobo, it was agreed that it be lawful to vacant congregations to call ministers holding charges in other churches, having principles common to the Presbyterian Church here.

Mr. Fleming, divinity student, was authorised to be taken on trial for license.

The Rev. Dr. Copland brought up the report of the Union Committee, which pointed out the desirableness of co-operating with the Northern Church in giving expression to their views on the questions which engage the attention of the Legislature, bearing on the moral and spiritual welfare of the community—especially education, the marriage question, the Sabbath law, and the so-called Contagious Diseases Act. Further, it recommended the institution of a common fund for scholarships for students for the ministry from all parts of the country, and the providing of a common Theological Institution for education of students for the whole Church. The report was adopted, and it was afterwards agreed that the deputies to the General Assembly should express the desire of the Synod to co-operate in forming a common fund for scholarships for students for the ministry, and to ascertain the intentions of the General Assembly in page 44 regard to providing a Theological Hall, which might meet the wants of the whole Church. Further that the deputies should intimate to the Assembly the opinion of this Synod with regard to the necessity of securing a national instead of a denominational system of education for the Colony, and should suggest the desirableness of their urging the Legislature to provide such a system.