pioneer methodism in the coalfields of southland by f.g historical/19(1,2) southland... · riverton...

Pioneer Methodism in the Coalfields of Southland by F.G.Glen

Wesley Historical Society Publication #19(1&2)



Introduction

The Ohai Pastorate of this vast scattered Western Southland Methodist Circuit, with

its three churches and four other preaching places is one of the youngest rural

Methodist causes in Southland, 75 years ago saw the establishment of our first Church

services, and 65 years ago the appointment of the first Minister to the North Western

Southland district. Methodism through this appointment had been true to her heritage

of taking the Gospel to an industrial situation. Our pioneer task is not yet complete,

the task of the Church of Jesus Christ should always be to break new ground in the art

of communicating the Gospel and seeking out areas uncared for by her ministry. With

rapid rural development, continuing industry in Ohai, and the great undertaking of

Comalco in Manapouri our Church is once more on the brink of opportunity.

This is a tribute to the pioneers of the past and the Home Missionaries. To a certain

degree our Church in Western Southland has been living on the past but no Church

can do this and survive. May this challenge us to meet the demands and the

opportunity of today, that we too may be worthy of our Methodist Heritage.

FRANK GLEN. The Parsonage, Ohai, 1st August, 1961.

Rev. Frank Glen



NIGHTCAPS, THE MOTHER CHURCH

Riverton is the Mother Church of Methodism in the Western District of Southland. It

was first visited by a Methodist Missionary in 1844, the Rev. James Katkin, who gave

assistance to the early settlers and a European School functioning there. With the

establishment of a regular Methodist Society in Invercargill in 1864 it was not long

before the work extended to Riverton. The Rev. Robert S. Bunn began Methodist

services in the town in 1868 but discontinued at a later date owing to the division of

work being agreed upon in the country by the Presbyterian and Methodist Church.

Riverton next appears on the Circuit records in March, 1882, when the Rev. P.

Fairclough F.R.A.S. visited Riverton and organized a Society. This extension

promised well and Invercargill had an additional appointment made to Riverton, the

Rev. J. T. Wallis, who took up residence in Riverton in April, 1886.

Riverton, our mother district, shown about 1860. Preachers to Nightcaps

first came from the Riverton township.

By May of 1886 the records show preaching places already established far into

Western Southland. Wrey's Bush, one of the first was a key road and waggon centre

which owed its origin to the gold rush of the early 1860's. It was the centre of

established rural development, and until the railway was put through to Nightcaps the

centre of North Western communications. Services had been commenced in addition

at Nightcaps, Wairio, Thornbury, Otautau, and Oraki by late 1886. Nightcaps had

been supplying coal for provincial consumption since 1882, Wairio as the rail head

less than two miles from Nightcaps, had a small population engaged in the railway



industry. Thornbury was the rail junction of the Invercargill, Otautau, or Nightcaps

trains, sporting a platform tea shop and licensed bar.

By April 1889, Riverton had become a separate Home Mission Station which made

work in Western Southland independent of Invercargill. The first service conducted in

Nightcaps was held in the Nightcaps School attended by some 40 settlers. The Rev. J.

T. Wallis officiated. Records show that the second Sunday in May of 1886 was the

date of this historic service. In Wrey's Bush the service was also held in the School,

the community being larger than it is at present. In the 1880's it comprised two hotels,

Flynn's All Nations and Hogan's Commercial, two general stores, three blacksmiths

and a bootmaker. The Post Office was later established in Kaveney's Store. Nearly all

the allotments were occupied by men engaged in fencing, ditching, and road

construction. The Church, as well as the district was consolidating after the gold rush.

Much of the pioneering work was done by Wallis and it is to his credit that he laid so

well the foundations for the future.

In April 1888 the Rev. S. B. Fellows was appointed to Riverton and the Western

District, Mr Peter Grant our oldest layman in Nightcaps still remembering services

conducted by him in the Nightcaps School. Mr Fellows arrived by rail on Saturday

evening, conducted services in the district during Sunday; the evening at Nightcaps,

returning to Riverton on Monday.

Accommodation was provided by the Nightcaps Coal Company house, now the

Maternity Home. During Mr Fellows period rapid extension seems to have taken

place, and the Church was hard pressed to keep the 10 to 12 preaching places served

Drummond was opened as a place of worship sometime in 1887, and shown on the

plan of 1888. Services over this period were conducted at Otautau, 11 a.m., Wrey's

Bush, 3.00 p.m and Nightcaps 7.00 p.m. every second Sunday, early local preachers

from Invercargill being, Mr R. Wesney Snr, and Mr G. B Paterson. It is interesting to

note the annual collection tor the year 1888 at Nightcaps, one amount of £8/13/11 and

another of £4/4/6, more than equal now to a normal Sunday offering. Drummond must

have been a centre of good Methodist witness showing a total offering for that year of

£21. The Rev. Fellows applied to the Australian Conference to enter mission work,

and in April 1890 a probationer, the Rev J T Nott M.A., took his place.

The Rev. T. W. Newbold was appointed to the charge in April 1892 and is still

remembered by older residents in the district. During his ministry the Church was

built, and the Nightcaps district extended even further. A quarter acre section of land

was donated for the Church in Nightcaps by Mr Wm. Reed, and Mrs E. Grant, wife of

the first Circuit Steward rode all over the community soliciting donations for the

project. From the whole district Mr Grant collected over £80, and under the guidance

of Mr Wm. Guttery and other miners the Church was erected by voluntary labour. The

Church was officially opened in April 1893.



Rev. T. Newbold, 1892-95, who was responsible for

much of the extension and consolidation work from the

Riverton until Rev. J. Featherston was appointed in 1896.

In 1895 the Riverton Circuit appealed to the Conference for a further agent to be

stationed at Nightcaps with a view to establishing a separate Home Mission Station.

The following year in April 1896 the Rev. Jacob Featherston, a young Home

Missionary, took over the pastoral care of the northern part of the Circuit. The plan for

that year shows a scattered and difficult district geographically, roughly the same

boundaries as today. The preaching places included, Nightcaps, Otautau (which was

within the Nightcaps area), Wrey's Bush, Wairio, South Hillend, Bellemont Station

(Blackmount district), Clifden and Eastern Bush. A rough estimate of Church

members at this date is placed at 30, while families under pastoral care would not

exceed 60. A reasonable sized pastorate considering the distance and scattered nature

of things in those days Mr Featherston was boarded in the home of Miss B. Johnston.

It is interesting to make some financial comparisons of that time and now. Travel

allowance in 1896 was £8/10/- yearly as Horse Allowance. Travel in roughly the same

area today by car is allowed at £75 per quarter .—"When do we go back to the horse?”

some might ask. Mr Featherston was allowed £19 on account for his first quarter's

stipend, his sacrifices did not end there either! For the average Quarter in the first year

of appointment the income was £25; today an average Quarter is somewhere about the

£250 mark!

Among the early pioneers who assisted in establishing the work in Nightcaps were Mr

and Mrs James Grant, who first settled at Taieri. Later they shifted to Woodbourne



Station in the Rannoch district, then, because of depression, came to Nightcaps where

Mr Grant became the butcher. He was the first Circuit Steward, and the first local

preacher. He is survived today by his son, Mr Peter Grant, a local preacher of 57 years

standing, and one of the oldest surviving pioneers of that period.

Nightcaps Church, 1933. Built in 1893, being the first church in the district.

Mr & Mrs J Grant. First Circuit Steward, 1895

The Miller, Bell, Sinclair, Strudwick, Keen, Gill, Kelly, Guttery and Henry families

all gave their talents to one of the most talented Church choirs ever to be formed in the

district. On one occasion while the Choir was returning from South Hillend and

crossing the Aparima River at Flynn's Ford, near disaster occurred. The buggy was

filled with ladies and Jim Miller was riding a rather spirited horse close to the

vehicle—the glitter of the moonlight on the spokes caused the beast to lash out,



sending his foot through the wheel, wrecking it. The result was a buggy full of

stranded, shrieking women in the middle of the river! Menfolk also riding with the

party were quick to the rescue, and the party being recovered continued its cheerful

way home. William Guttery was for some years Choir Master of this renowned

Church choir, and as a carpenter resided for some years at Wairio. He was a forceful

and eloquent local preacher depicting the awful fate of the lost in lurid terms.

The old Bellemont Homestead where early services were held in the Blackmount area.

Photo about 1890.

Official lay positions in the formative years during Mr Featherston's ministry were:

Circuit Steward, Mr James Grant; Lay Preachers, Wm Guttery (Wairio), Hugh Beggs

(Bellemont), Miss Sarah Beggs (Bellemont), Robert Flowers (Drummond), Society

Stewards, Wm. Kellow (Wrey's Bush), R. Gill, T. Kelly Wm. Kennedy (Heddon

Bush). Sunday School Supterintendent, (Nightcaps) Wm. Guttery; Sustentation

Collectors, Misses Kennedy and Dawson (Drummond), Master Peter Grant (Night-

caps), Mrs Wm. Kellow (Wrey's Bush), Misses Keen and Beck (Wairio), Miss S.

Beggs (Bellemont), and Miss Darley (Eastern Bush).

The Nightcaps Church was a vital witness to the issues of the day. The desire for

liquor reform then gather momentum was expressed in the community life by a Good

Templar Lodge suitably led by Church Members. The Victorian Evangelical theology

was expressed in organizations like the Band of Hope, and Christian Endeavour. At

the close of Mr Featherston's ministry in April 1897, two services were being held on

each Lord's Day at Nightcaps, weekly at Otautau, fortnightly at Wrey's Bush, Eastern

Bush, and Wairio, monthly at South Hillend and Bellemont and quarterly at Clifden.



Church life fell upon hard days in the Western Districts in 1899, and the Conference

felt it could not maintain the appointment. Accordingly the Rev. J. T. Burrows was

appointed to Otautau with pastoral charge of the whole Western District, a similar

situation in which this district found itself from 1946-60. The withdrawal of ministers

from both Nightcaps and Riverton resulted in an impossible situation for Methodism.

It was difficult to maintain the work already started, and almost impossible to extend

it. Laymen of our Church were responsible for much of the work on the outskirts, and

our Church is proud of the part they played. In 1903, Otautau was constituted a

Circuit, and still no appointment made to Nightcaps since 1899. The Rev. F. W. Boys,

Superintendent of the Circuit, had under his pastoral care a greatly reduced preaching

district including then Otautau, Drummond, Aparima, Nightcaps, South Hillend, while

Riverton became a Home Mission station.

The Rev. G. N. Wheaton was appointed to Nightcaps in April, 1907, where his able

gifts as a man of God did much to re-establish the work. During Godfrey Wheaton's

ministry he married Miss Lizzy Grant, daughter of James Grant. After a brief ministry

he and his wife took up an appointment with the Victorian Conference. They have

since passed away. The memorable cartoon published in "Mr Punch" over 50 years

ago titled, "Who's your parson son?" and the reply, "Mr Sleep of Nightcaps!" had its

origin when the Rev. W. E. Sleep arrived in 1908. His is a memorable ministry

because of his two appointments of 12 years, being the longest of any Methodist

Minister in the Western district and the second longest in Southland. He must rank

with the Saints in his devotion to the Master's Work, and the feeding of Christ's flock.

He recalls during his ministry 10 preaching places, while his wife took the Sunday

School.

Rev. W. E. Sleep who, as a Home Missionary,

spent over 12 years in Nightcaps district, 1908-14 and 1919-23.

Picture shows him in retirement.



A story is recalled of Mr Sleep during his first appointment. While hastening to attend

the funeral of Mrs J. J. Newton, wife of the Society Steward at Wrey's Bush, his hack

shied when he attempted to open his umbrella because of rain and hail. He was thrown

clear of the mount right into the mud and slush in the pouring rain, losing his

spectacles in the process. Being very short sighted he ploughed his way through the

mud in an effort to recover them. Long past the time when the hearse was to have left

Wrey's Bush poor Mr Sleep arrived having been found by Miss Bella Johnston who

cleaned him up, found his glasses for him and set him on his way. Needless to say he

never again attempted to open an umbrella while riding. The Bible Class movement

was given great, stimulus by Mr Sleep and many mature Christians today owe their

start upon the pilgrimage to Mr Sleep.

The building of the Nightcaps parsonage was the next event in the establishment of

the Church. The Rev. J. E. Weir made application on behalf of the Circuit to the

Church Building and Loan Fund to erect a home estimated to cost £396. A quarter

acre section was purchased in Evan Street almost opposite the present District High

School for the cost of £40. During the late part of the year D. Sinclair, a Church

Trustee obtained the contract and the home was finally erected for £436, of which

£300 was a debt to the Southland Building Society. The Rev and Mrs Weir were the

first ministerial family to occupy the new parsonage.

The Conference of 1915 created Nightcaps a separate Home Mission Station

consisting of Nightcaps, Opio, Beaumont, Wairio and Heddon Bush, there being 18

members and 235 attendants at public worship, some 60 families in all. The Beaumont

service was held in the old school near Heenan's present home on the Mossburn-

Nightcaps road. One year later there were 28 members, a sign of growth.

The war years were difficult times, the ministry being shared by the Rev. Thomas

Skuse, who, during his appointment was studying as a candidate for the ministry. He

recalls one interesting event during his time there. Going to Wairio to conduct his

normal service he found no one in attendance. He continued onwards to visit a family

who were stalwarts in Church life, wishing to express his concern to them that as good

Methodists they had allowed a race meeting on their property. He was welcomed by

the head of the household who sat reading the large family Bible. Mr Skuse kindly

rebuked the gentleman for allowing these proceedings on his property—and in turn

was roundly condemned as a spoil sport, a poor type, and a narrow minded parson in

general. Mr Skuse went to great pains to point out, "What would you do if I did such a

thing!" "Ah but," replied the bewhiskered and shrewd parishioner, "you're 'a

minister—you are expected to be good!"

Avondale Station during this period was also a preaching place, the swollen river

sometimes prohibiting Mr Skuse from crossing on horseback. The preaching plan

included Nightcaps, Wairio, Opio, Beaumont, Avondale, Birchwood, while Wairaki



appears for the first time in July 1917, these services preceding the establishment of

the Methodist Church in Ohai. There were occasional services conducted in

Tinkertown as the times demanded. Late in 1918 came the "big flu" which carried off

so many fine families. Members of our Chu^h gave what help they could, but, the

congregation was sorely depleted.

In 1919, Rev. Mr Sleep was again appointed, and the membership was reported at 38.

The life of the Church was in good heart spiritually and Ohai, the new coal mining

area, was already beginning to find its feet, while an unsettled future lay ahead of

Nightcaps.

Mr A. C. Stewart (standing). Ohai Church, built 1927, and Youth Hall added 1961

Rev. H. Dyson (seated) on the job

of building the Ohai Church, 1926.

In 1926 Tuatapere was attached to Nightcaps Home Mission Station, this resulting in

the purchase of the first—and only_ Circuit car. That same year, the Rev. H. Dyson

was appointed and is remembered for the sterling work undertaken in connection with

many civic organizations, and for his fine preaching. He gave a strong lead in the

erection of the Ohai Church.

The Rev. V. R. Jamieson, M.B.E., E.D, followed Mr Dyson, (Mr Jamieson now being

the Senior Methodist Chaplain to the Armed Forces, having served his Church well as

a Chaplain in World War II). Mr Jamieson recalls the difficult times of the "big strike"

and of the Linton Mine explosion which resulted in the death of two men within parish

life. He was an active footballer, while his pulpit work was most acceptable indeed.

The Rev. J. C. R. Ashworth, followed in the most hard of depression years making

much self-sacrifice, while being greatly beloved by his people. He was largely

responsible for the Rev. George Crammond, then a young man in Nightcaps, entering

our Church Ministry. The Rev. Crammond is now Circuit Minister in Oamaru. In

1936 the Rev. Cyril Robinson was instrumental in the establishment of the Nightcaps



District High School, having obtained the support of the local people. Children

attending the High School at Riverton had a 14 hour day, including a long period of

travel Until the Nightcaps High School was completed our Church was made over to

the Education Board and so became the first High School in the district. Mr Robinson

and his people did not have an easy time, for the nation was just then climbing out of

depression and changing social patterns. In 1939 under the ministry of Rev. H. M.

Brasell, who spent almost the entire war years in the Nightcaps Circuit, the following

preaching places were maintained. Nightcaps, Aparima, Opio, and Ohai, with Wairio,

and Winton a monthly service. During the war years the Circuit experienced much

difficulty financially, and in the lack of leadership.

Tragedy struck the struggling Circuit on 29th April, 1945, when owing to a poorly set

in copper the parsonage was destroyed by fire just two weeks after the Rev. and Mrs J.

F. Amos had taken up residence. All was lost.

The Nightcaps Parsonage, 1915-45. Opening Day. Destroyed by fire in 1945.

The Circuit maintained the appointment throughout that year though much difficulty

was experienced financially and great reliance was placed upon the Home Mission

Grant. During the war years nearly every rural circuit or parish of any denomination

suffered through National Conscription, and Man Power Schemes. Things in

Nightcaps and the Circuit in general had never been at such a low ebb. Alternative

accommodation was found for Rev. and Mrs Amos at Tinkertown and the entire

community endeavoured to make up for all their personal loss. Conference in 1946

left the Circuit vacant, and the circuit was left with what in those days was a

substantial overdraft.

The Nightcaps Parsonage Trust deposited the £500 insurance monies with the General

Purposes Trust Fund Board of the Connexion, the Home Mission Department making



an additional grant of £100 towards this sum. Although meetings were held and plans

discussed, and alternative homes offered in Ohai, no decision was arrived at to replace

the parsonage.

The Circuit was left without youth work, Sunday Schools, and pastoral care, records

were destroyed, a loss which is reflected in the limitations of this present history. The

membership was 31, covering Ohai, Nightcaps, Opio and Wairio. The Rev. Ken A.

Robinson then Circuit minister at Otautau conferred with the Circuit Stewards, Messrs

Wm. Elliott, and R. V. McLean and fortnightly supply services were arranged for

Ohai-Nightcaps, the others had to be dropped. This move resulted in 1947 in the

formation of the Western Southland Circuit, covering an area that had up until 1944

three Home Missionary appointments. One Methodist Minister now had pastoral

responsibility, which was not great in families, but the travel was beyond any man.

Nightcaps Methodism seemed to die, and after a Trustees' meeting in 1949 the Church

was closed and lent to the Presbyterians as a Sunday School, and for other public

functions. Membership declined rapidly while pastoral oversight became difficult with

such a large area to cover. Youth work had died. Methodist witness in the community

almost ceased but for the sterling work of Mr Peter Grant, the Senior Local preacher

and Trust. Secretary. Opio, Wairio and Winton were abandoned.

With the appointment of Rev. Cliff Keightly to the Circuit in 1950 at Otautau, a

monthly service was commenced. In 1954 the Rev. Eric Eastwood increased these to

fortnightly, while under his diligent pastoral work the number of families increased.

The ghost of Methodism in Nightcaps seemed to be struggling for resurrection. 1956

was the all-time low of Methodism in Nightcaps —6 Church members, and according

to the Census returns for that year 33 Methodists in a township of 650 which 40 years

before had been at least 30 per cent. Methodist. In 1958, when the Rev. F. G. Glen

suggested to the four faithful remaining Church members that they close the Church

and unite with Ohai, the spirit of revival was deeply embedded in the members, and

the reply given is memorable, but unprintable!

Christian Stewardship throughout the new Circuit revealed many more Methodist

families in 1958, others growing into the fellowship through pastoral work. The

interior of the Church was redecorated and renovated in 1959 and the Church packed

for the rededication service. That same year a weekly Sunday School was commenced

on Wednesdays, 12 children attending. With the total circuit planning for a new

parsonage at Ohai the Nightcaps Trust made available the sum of £1200, being the

insurance and interest of the old parsonage monies. From this basis the future

parsonage at Ohai became a reality.

With the appointment made to the district again in 1960 after some 15 years of

vacancy, Nightcaps became part of the Ohai Pastorate. Methodism had been reborn,

and is once more an active force in the community. Today 75 men, women and



children are under our pastoral care (pop. 680), there is a weekly Sunday School

conducted by Mrs A. Lee, and women's groups and Men's Fellowship. The

membership has risen from four in 1958 to 12 in 1960. Church officials are Trust, Mr

P. Grant, Mr O. Grant, Mr D. McKay, Mrs J. R. Robertson, Mr L. Boyer, J.P.

Sacramental Steward, Mrs M. Boyer, Organist, Mrs M. McKay. We salute the Mother

Church of the pastorate for her untiring devotion, without which Methodism would

not be in Nightcaps today.

Ohai parsonage, opened Nov. 1959, occupied 1960.



ORAWIA, BLACKMOUNT - LAKE MONOWAI

METHODIST SOCIETIES

This district is like many others in New Zealand which were originally pioneered by

our Church in the early 1890s. Four preaching places were established in 1896,

Bellemont, Clifden, Eastern Bush, and later Otahu. Today the Monowai Hydro Station

on the edge of the Lake district and Fiordland is included in our two existing

Societies, Monowai-Blackmount, and Orawia.

In the 1890s the Beggs family took over Bellemont Station, the old homestead being

situated about 12 miles south of the present Hydro Village. They had originally settled

in Taieri and had there become attached to Bible Christian Methodism. Mr and Mrs

Hugh Beggs were blessed by a large family, Hugh, Bob, Peter, Tom, and Jack, Sarah,

and one other daughter. On application to the Riverton Circuit services were

commenced monthly at their station by 1896. Mr Hugh Beggs Jnr. was accepted as a

Local Preacher and later as a candidate for the Wesleyan Ministry. For 15 years he

laboured in N.Z. Circuits, including Gore but shortly after Methodist Union of 1913

he resigned from our work and was accepted in to the Presbyterian ministry. Hugh

Beggs can be claimed as our first candidate for the Christian ministry.

Services on the station were taken, by both the minister at Riverton and the Home

Missionary at Nightcaps. Mr Peter Grant recalls how while a boy he escorted both Mr

Featherston and Rev. J. A. Lachore through the present Ohai back country to the

station for the services. Methodist ministers exercised pastoral concern for all families

in the district which has largely contributed to the feeling of strong unity still

prevailing there. Miss Sarah Beggs was the local Sustentation collector and an able

local preacher, often riding from the foot of the mountains to take a service at

Nightcaps. The present Station is only a fraction of the area covered in the time of the

Beggs, the property covered land at present occupied by Messrs McLees, J. Pearce, I.

McFarlane, G. Sim, and R. Gow's present Bellemont. With the vacancy at Nightcaps

in 1899, Bellemont ceased as a regular preaching place and was unfortunately dropped

from the plan.

The Rev. T. Newbold and Mr Featherstone conducted fort-nightly services at Eastern

Bush just after the completion of the school, and by 1896 a sound congregation had

been established. Among the lay folk there Mr and Mrs Wm. Darley were the Society

Stewards, and their daughter Sustentation collector. An offering of £2/1/3 was

recorded for the last Quarter of 1896 which indicated a sound congregation for those

times. With the removal of the Darleys to Otahu Flat about 1914 these services were

discontinued and held in their homestead, now the present home of Mr and Mrs Frank

Pearce. By this time owing to the Nightcaps vacancy the Tuatapere Home Mission

Station had taken over the area. The Rev. John Dennis, then at Tuatapere, once more

shifted the service to the Otahu Flat School where they were continued monthly.



Intermittent appointments to Tuatapere, and the shifting population brought about the

close of Otahu about 1920.

Clifden is shown on the old plan of 1896 as having a Quarterly Service and appears to

have been the smallest service in the district. The afternoon services were held either

in the hall or the school during Mr Featherston's ministry. With the establishment of

the Tuatapere Home Mission Station in 1910 Clifden became part of the Circuit, and

Rev. J. Dennis recalls conducting regular Methodist Services in the present

Presbyterian Church at Clifden. Earlier, since 1903, these had been maintained at

irregular intervals from Riverton. They were discontinued in 1925 when the Methodist

appointment was withdrawn from Tuatapere. All four of these preaching places had

originally been worked by Nightcaps during the pioneer period and with the alteration

of Circuit boundaries, and intermittent appointments, the difficulties they caused

contributed to the loss of these places from the preaching plan.

Nothing further was done by our Church until 1955 when once more we entered the

district. Services were commenced this time at the Monowai Hydro Village at the

request of Church members who had transferred there. The first service was con-

ducted by the Rev. E. R. Eastwood, then Circuit minister at Otautau. Mr and Mrs Eric

Peters were appointed Society Stewards, and Mrs Peters later became Sacramental

Steward. A pastoral survey was conducted which resulted in a small number of

Methodists being "discovered" without pastoral care, living as far down as Otahu Flat.

The service continued at two monthly intervals.

In 1958 the Rev. F. G. Glen recommended that service be increased to once monthly,

and the Methodist population increased with the cutting up of one of the large stations

for farm settlement. With the appointment of the additional minister to the Circuit the

district once more came under the pastoral care of Ohai. The first Methodist Holy

Communion was held in November 1959. Today the Society has 13 Church members,

and 12 families, while 12 Methodist children attend the Undenominational Sunday

School. All denominations attend our service which adds greatly to the ecumenical

spirit of the community. The Church celebrated in April 1960, the 65th year of witness

in the district at Bellemont Station, over 200 attending the afternoon and evening

service and function.

A Presbyterian Methodist Church Union Committee was formed in 1960 with a view

to establishing a proposed Union Church in that area. The Committee consists of,

Methodist, Rev. F. G. Glen, R. V. McLean, and Eric Peters, Secretary, Presbyterian,

Rev. D. Clark, Chairman, Messrs J. Pearce and G. Sim. The proposition is. at present

being investigated. The Monowai-Blackmount Society is in good heart and provides

the preacher with happy surroundings and good congregations for the monthly

Monday evening service.



The Orawia district for many years was never served by our Church though only 15

miles from Ohai, and the last large town before the Monowai settlement. The area was

a small farming district until the establishment of the Southland Cement works some

years ago. Strangely enough it was not this increase in population which caused us to

consider a Society at Orawia. From 1958 till mid 1961 some 9 or 10 families moved

into the district who desired to maintain their Methtodist connection.

On June 11th, 1961, the first Methodist Service was conducted by the present minister

in the Orawia School, Susan Scott, and Pamela and Richard Redman being baptised

on that day. The six weekly service has yet to be proved over the future, but all

families desire the fellowship of worship. It is the smallest Society in the pastorate,

having some 10 families and 4 members attached in the area. A worthy contribution to

the Church of Jesus Christ can be made through our witness, while as the area grows

new Methodists will have a fellowship in which they can join.



APARIMA PIONEER RURAL CHURCH

Aparima Church 1899, showing school where services commenced in 1898.

Methodist services were commenced in the Aparima district in 1898, being conducted

by the Rev. Wm. Greenslade, from Nightcaps, in the newly built Aparima School

room. The Aparima district was perhaps one of the only rural areas in Southland

which had been settled almost entirely by Methodist farming settlers. Near the end of

1898 the Circuit Quarterly Meeting was held in the School to consider the removal of

the Riverton minister to Otautau as a more central situation. This resolution having

been passed at the Conference, the local Methodist residents decided to build their

own Church for they would be better served from Otautau. That same evening £53 in

cash was donated, and the section donated by Mr R. S. James. In July 1899 the

following were elected to act as Trustees: Richard James, Stephen James, J. Carrick,

William Kellow, Thomas Coombes, James Liggett, Richard S. James, and Stephen

James, the younger, all farmers of Aparima. Among these early trustees, two, Messrs

R. and S. James, brothers, had immigrated to Southland, arriving at Bluff on the ship

"Edward Thornhill" in 1864. The first Society Steward, Colonel William Lightfoot,

was affectionately known as "Souaccem up to Nile," having served there with the

Imperial forces in the Sudan wars of the 1880s. Both he and his wife worthily served

the Church for many years.

In September, 1899, the Rev. J. A Luxford conducted the service of Dedication, which

was followed later during the week by a bazaar, the proceeds of which reduced the

debt on the Church to less than £40, the total venture having cost £179. Attending the

service also was the Rev. J. T. Burrows, the Circuit minister for the whole western



district, then residing at Otautau. Rev. Wm. Greenslade had since removed from

Nightcaps to the Theological College, Prince Albert College, in Auckland.

Mr and Mrs Richard James Snr. and Family

Back row, from left:

(Charlotte) Mrs Dyer, (Emma) Mrs Coombes, George, (Jane) Mrs McNaughton, Stephen, (Lucy),

Mrs Clent

Front row, from left:

(Catherine) Mrs Lightfoot, (Richard Jnr ), Mr and Mrs Richard James Snr., (Sarah), Mrs Newton,

(Mary), Mrs Crichton.

Back row: W. T. James, R. G. James (Black Dick)

Centre row: Mrs W. T. James, on knee Annie James, Stephen James, Elizabeth Gard James, on knee

Grace James, Mrs R. G. James, on knee William R James.

Bottom row two centre children, Myra James, Tom James.



Among other settlers in the district who played an important role in our Church life

were Mr and Mrs Wm. Kellow Jnr., Mr and Mrs M. Newton, Mr and Mrs Edward

Clent, Mr George James, Mr and Mrs H. Dyer, Mrs Mary, Charlotte and Kate James.

Mrs Dyer was for many years the organist, while Mr Gray supplied in the pulpit

during the First World War.

Sunday School thrived in the early period, and then faded out, but revived from time

to time as the need arose.

During the years after the World War the district began to break up, and new people

coming in were not Methodists. Hard times began to fall upon the congregation.

During the Ministry of Rev. Samuel Bailey, a Christian Endeavour was commenced

and thrived well with 24 members attending regularly. There was also much social

congregational activity with Nightcaps.

In 1939 the opinion was voiced that Aparima ought to be closed and when the Rev.

W. J. Bryant was appointed in April 1940 he saw to it that this was not the case. He

restored the enthusiasm to a now much diminished congregation, and at the Church

Anniversary of 1940, over 90 people attended. The Church was far from dead!

Through gifts of money made to the Trust, electric power was installed into the

Church and officially turned on by Mrs A. James, in October 1941. Over the war

danger invasion period Home Guard Church parades are recalled also. The district as a

whole was affected by the land labour shortage an-" Mr Bryant often found himself

working with farmers on the fields.

With the constitution of the Western Southland Circuit the services became monthly,

and remained until 1958 when they were increased to fortnightly. Congregations

improved, and in June of that year a Sunday School was commenced, after a lapse of a

considerable number of years. It will in time diminish again as the present children

grow older, for the younger generation is not increasing at the same rate. During the

first stages of Christian Stewardship Aparima laymen gave a considerable lead which

the Circuit appreciated heartily.

Today the Church faces the future with 14 members, against 25 sixty-two years ago,

and 11 families compared with 20 at the same time. A Sunday School of three

teachers and 10 children, and a women's group is quite active. Present Trustees are

Messrs J. N. Keen (Financial Circuit Steward), Norman Sinclair (secretary), William

James Snr. and Norman Shefford.



THE WINTON METHODIST SOCIETY

The Winton Methodist cause had its birth with the purchase of 8 acres of land by the Don Street Primitive Methodist Church, Invercargill in the late 1890s.

The Otago-Southland Synod of the Wesleyan Methodist Church held in Dunedin in 1904 passed the following resolution: "It was resolved to commence a new Home Mission Station to comprise Winton, South Hillend, Oreti Plains, Heddon Bush, Otapiri, Dipton and Lumsden. That a grant of £50 be made by this Synod for the first year."

The first Methodist minister, the Rev. W. T. Hooper was a man who for some years had been the Connexional Evangelist. Mr and Mrs Hooper took up residence in a rented Parsonage which is still occupied as a dwelling in Winton today. The preaching plan one year after the appointment in March 1906, shows, Winton, South Hillend, Drummond, where there was the only Church in the Circuit, Upper Hedgehope and Lower Hedgehope. Planning for the new Church at Winton began under Mr Hooper's ministry, and much assistance was given by the Church from Invercargill. It is recorded that the St Paul's Wesleyan Choir under Mr Mitchell and Mr Trist-Searell gave a concert performance in Moore's Hall to commence fund raising. This hall, where our services were held is near the existing Winton Theatre today. In 1908 an application was made to the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee for the building of a Church to seat 150, costing £329. At that time the membership of the Circuit was 24. When the Church was opened at the end of 1908 at a cost of £304, there was still a debt of £100. This building is still in Winton being part of the National Mortgage premises in the Main Street. Lindsay Bros. undertook the contract and were for some time part of the Church life. In 1909 Mr Hooper moved on, leaving a sound foundation for his successor the Rev. Chas. H. Foston. The rented parsonage was during his time on the corner of Coronation Avenue and Grange Street.

During Mr Foston's ministry the Sunday School showed 25 members and three teachers with a Church Membership of 20 throughout the five preaching places. It is evident Methodism was finding it difficult to establish herself in the community, then not exceeding some 450 in number. Mr Foston continued the longest of all four ministerial appointments to Winton serving five years in all.

In 1914 a single Home Missionary, Rev. W. K. Waters was appointed and boarded with the Laythams who were a loyal devoted Church family. He stayed for sometime also with the Keasts. During this period two key families had done much to establish the work both in loyalty and finance, Woodnorth's and Thompsons of the Wine Factory.

In 1915 the Rev. G. H. Cule boarded with the Laytham family, the records showing 105 attendants at public worship. This included Church Members, Sunday School and adherents throughout the five preaching places. It is probable that there was never any more than some 40 families under pastoral care in the entire district. Mr Cule was the



last appointment. With the decline of young people owing to the war and shortage of ministers, further staff was prevented in Winton at a time when future appointments were essential for its survival and progress. The Church has had over 45 years to regret the action which was forced upon her by circumstances. Winton today is the centre of a wealthy farming district serving a total population including the town, of over 2000.

The 8 acres of land owned by the Church was sold in 1916 and the £75 original purchase price was paid back to Don Street, the balance being used to remove the debt off the Church. After one year of vacancy in 1917 the returns showed 14 members, and 70 attendants at worship. By 1919 Winton had been placed under the care of St Peter's, Invercargill, Missionary interest being prominent then, as £20 had been raised that year by the women's group. In 1920, the Trustees met and after consultation with the Connexion felt it wiser to sell the Church. The Church had died on its feet! The land and the building was sold for £600, the sum of £150 later being granted to the Ohai Church Trust. The balance of the finance was used to remove the debt still on the Church to the Connexion.

In 1938 the Rev. W. MacDonald, of Nightcaps, commenced monthly services in the Oddfellow's Hall, these being continued by a succession of ministers from Nightcaps until petrol rationing made it difficult about 1944. The congregation was never large, Miss Hilda Clement, and Mr Albert Froggatt being as loyal then as they are now.

In 1957 the Rev. E. Eastwood, of Otautau, did a brief pastoral survey of the town, and noted it for the future. The Rev. F. G. Glen took up the work and as a result of the survey held a Methodist Fellowship in the home of Mr and Mrs T. Weily in September 1959. With his successive appointment to Ohai the following year pastoral oversight was able to be given to a growing cause. Mr and Mrs Fred Pitcher, well-known Methodists from Christchurch, were transferred to Winton in 1960, where Mr Pitcher is the B.N.Z. manager. He threw himself heartily into the already hopeful work in Winton, opening his home in August for a meeting of Methodists to discuss their future. It was resolved to ask the Ohai Leaders' Meeting for a monthly service.

The Circuit responded to the request and the first Methodist Service for some years was held in the Anglican Parish Hall on the 3rd Sunday in September in 1960, being conducted by the present minister.

Since then 24 families have become part of our Church fellowship, and a small monthly Sunday School under Mrs M. Glen. Mr Fred Pitcher and Mr Wm Wood, a retired Constable of over 24 years service in Winton, were both appointed Society Stewards. At the moment there are 10 Church Members, and about 50 men, women and children under pastoral care. (Winton population 1400). The sum of £357 has been held by the Connexion since the sale of the Church 40 years ago for use as the Church may yet decide. It has been proved both pastorally and spiritually, that our contribution to the work of God in Winton has been well worthwhile. What the future will hold we do not know, but in faith we carry on.



OHAI CHURCH. THE BIG DAUGHTER

AND MINING TOWN

In the early 1860s in the area of what is now the Ohai township runhold stations

stretched over thousands of acres, Merrivale Station, or Orawia being the oldest, later

subdivided six times. Mt Linton, the largest of the remaining subdivisions still guards

Ohai in the North West with its 59,000 acres. Capt. William Stevens took over the

original Beaumont Station to the east, Jackson Freeman in the late 1860's taking

another sub-division at Birchwood. It is interesting to note that on J. T. Thompson's

original survey map he has marked such streams as the Morley, and Etal, but wrote Mt

Lantan, for the mountain known today as Linton after which this vast station is named.

Which is correct?

On the actual site of Ohai there were four further subdivisions made among other of

the Birchwood Station in the early 1900s, four settlers taking up residence, Messrs

Mills, McLean, Porteous, Mrs Porteous for many years being organist for all Church

Services in Ohai, and Spence families.

Mr. and Mrs. J. J. H. McLean, Ohai pioneers.

Some years before, in the 1860s, a shepherd named Gordon had tethered his mount

while he drank from a stream and had observed a dark stone and recognized it as coal.

This discovery set off various digging to explore further the coal potential. With



farming and industry beginning at the turn of the century the district showed

considerable promise.

In 1909 an open cast strip was taken which resulted in many farmers purchasing their

coal from the Ohai Site, particularly those from the Tuatapere Orawia district. A. W.

Rodger, the well-known Southland speculator and promoter of many schemes sank

several bores in the area before the first world war. By 1918 over 17,000 tons of coal

was being mined annually from the area, increasing to over 211,000 tons by 1940.

Scientists claim that Ohai has the present known largest fields of undeveloped coal in

New Zealand.

Coal meant settlers, and settlers meant the Church. The nearest Methodist Church was

only six miles away. During the first ministry of the Rev. W. E. Sleep he undertook to

conduct services in the new area, then known as Wairaki, and from time to time he

held them in the old School, as far back as 1908.

Of the early original farmers in the district the McLean and Mills families were

Methodists and did much to advance the work of the Church in the community. At

least one third of present Ohai was built on their property.

Settling in the district after a distinguished public and Church life from Tuatapere in

1912, Mr J. J. H. McLean aided the work by being a gifted Local Preacher. He was

active in the Sunday School, Christian Endeavour, and was one of the original Church

Trustees. Mrs McLean was the mother of a large family and assisted her husband in

all aspects of Church and public life. His notable influence in public life was a credit

to the faith he professed. Mr and Mrs S. Mills settled also about 1912, Mrs Mills being

still affectionately known as the "Mother" of the Ohai Church. She was an able

Trustee and Sunday School teacher who gave liberally of both her time and talents to

the work of the Lord. Some of the Harvest Festivals in the preparation of which she

excelled were a sight to behold. Her devotional and spiritual life was an example

which lead many of the young to the foot of the Cross. Mr and Mrs Mills donated to

the Church the section on which stands our present Church and Hall.

By the early 1920s North of England and Scottish miners and their families began to

arrive in the growing community. When a family had settled they in turn would

sponsor another family to the community. Conditions in the young town were not

always pleasant, many families having to live in temporary quarters while waiting to

arrange finance or builders, both being scarce in those times. About 25 per cent. of the

English immigrants were of Methodist extraction. This is still reflected in the

community life of the town today where a considerable proportion, larger than usual,

are Methodist families. Keen Methodists among the immigrants in Church life were

Mr and Mrs T. McMillan, who had settled earlier in another district, but arrived in

Ohai about 1922. Mr McMillan was manager of the Mossbank mine and much loved

by his men, one bursting into tears when he heard he was leaving 7½ years later.



There was never a stop work meeting or a strike while he was manager. He was the

first Sunday School Superintendent, inspecting the mine workings every Sunday

morning prior to taking the school at 11 a.m. Mrs McMillan was a woman of quiet

disposition and supported her husband greatly in the work assisting in the Christian

Endeavour. Mr and Mrs M. Lamb were energetic Church workers, Mr Lamb being a

good Local Preacher, and his wife a fine worker among women's groups. Mr and Mrs

J. Elliott are remembered with deep affection by the older residents of Ohai. Mr Elliott

was one of those men who gave his annual holidays when the Church was being built

in assisting Mr A. C. Stewart the builder. Mrs Elliott, with Mrs Mills, served in the

capacity as Sunday School teacher and later Superintendent, following Mr McMillan.

She gave devoted Christian service to her Church as Trust Secretary, Church organist,

and in her work among the women. Evenings of hymn singing at her home will be

remembered by many who were part of the Christian Endeavour movement. Her

Christian character and example won not a few to the Lord.

Among the others remembered, and there are so many, are Mr and Mrs J. Henwood,

Mrs F. Newton (nee James), Mrs C. Manderson, who was a member of the Church of

Christ, Mr J. Brooks, Mrs F. Eason, and Mrs G. Wilson.

It was only natural with such a considerable proportion of the new town being

Methodists that they should desire a Church of their own. Once more Methodism had

the honour of building the first Church in Ohai, as it had formerly done in Nightcaps.

Meanwhile, the services had been shifted from the Wairaki School to the old Ohai

Hall, now a shop in Birchwood Road.

A meeting was called by the Rev. S. F. Whittlestone, the building committee being

constituted on 7th June 1926, they were the Minister, Messrs J. J. H. McLean, M.

Lamb, J. Brooks, T. McMillan, and Mesdames Mills, Elliott, Newton, Wilson and

Manderson. At successive meetings the cost of the Church was estimated at £600,

taking into consideration free labour. A builder was secured, Mr A. C. Stewart, of the

Baptist Church in Dunedin, who gave his services free in the building of the Church.

A retired builder by trade, much of the foundation work in the building and Christian

witness in the community was given tirelessly by this layman. Church families in Ohai

provided him with accommodation. Meanwhile, the Rev. H. Dyson was appointed and

threw himself wholeheartedly into the project, working with the builder on the job

every spare moment he had. On the first day of work the following made their ser-

vices available: Rev. H. Dyson, W. Dover, then Trust Secretary, J. Brooks, J. and

Wm. Elliott, and E. Tanner, the local blacksmith.

Financing the Church was also a major item, and although the Trust had been made a grant from the old Winton Church of £150, more finance was urgently required. The sum of £193 was raised by the ladies in a monster bazaar—the memory of which has long lingered in the minds of many who recall it today. It must have been some bazaar!



Mr Dyson began the first Scout Troop in the town which formed the guard of honour when Ohai's first ambulance was dedicated. Families within Church life today active in the troop then were A. Thompson, J. Hazledine and Wm. Elliott. The Church was officially opened by Mrs S. Mills in March 1927 amid much rejoicing within the community. A Church had been built in which many members of the town joined in the act of worship. There was a deep sense of unity among them all. The Church was put to various uses other than Church services in its early life. The Kindergarten, Druids Lodge, Choir, and drama groups all found the vestry of infinite use. The Salvation Army also had its use for their own services when they were held in Ohai. Sewing classes, Women's Institute, the strong Rechabite Senior and Junior Lodges all found a use for the building. Certainly a deep spiritual and practical need within the community had been met.

In the early 1930's under the ministry of Rev. J. C. R. Ashworth, the Bible Class movement flourished, visits to Invercargill on King's Birthday, and Easter Camps being the highlight. A strong Methodist young women's group combined with the Presbyterians for teas, outings, and visiting adjoining towns. The visits of the Youth Directors of the Bible Class movement are still well remembered. Mr J. Brooks was the young men's leader, Wm. Elliott secretary, and Alma Guttery secretary of the young women's class.

Rev. Jamieson's ministry is remembered for his activity in the community and fine preaching. If one were not at the Church early then it was difficult to secure a seat. Things have changed from that time!

As part of the Nightcaps-Tuatapere Home Mission Station, Ohai was a valuable addition to the life of our Church. With the establishment of the other two major Protestant Churches in the years following much of the unity formed in the early period was lost, each owing their loyalty to their own Church. Many of the early faithfuls laid down their life's working tools as the years passed by, and by the mid 1940s much of the Church activity among the young had come to a standstill. The war years caused changes in population and difficult economics and at the time of the burning of the Nightcaps Parsonage, life in Ohai had come to a low ebb.

The Rev. Ken Robinson, from Otautau, was mainly responsible for bringing the Ohai-Nightcaps Home Mission station into the Western Southland Circuit. His preaching and pastoral work from 1946 until his departure in 1949 did much to strengthen and hold the work together. It was over the last part of his ministry that Ohai began to outstrip Nightcaps in population and in town amenities. His hope for two appointments in the Circuit .one at Otautau and the other at Ohai was shortly to be fulfilled.

While the Rev. Cliff Keightly was the Superintendent Minister, a second appointment was able to be made to the Circuit by the Home Mission Department in 1951. Pastor P. C. Carter, a young Home Missionary probationer did enthusiastic work at Ohai-Nightcaps for that year. A Boy's Brigade was commenced and much of the youth work



undertaken once more. Services were regularly conducted in each Church every Sunday. He was accepted as a candidate for the Ministry, but later trained at the Baptist Union Theological College in Auckland.

Holding over years were ahead. Two successive appointments did much in re-establishing and extending the cause in Ohai through the increase in population—Rev. C. Keightly, the present pioneer New Zealand Methodist Missionary in the New Guinea Highlands, and the Rev. E. Eastwood, who arranged for Methodist young people to be included in the Presbyterian Sunday School thus making it a United movement.

Through Christian Stewardship Church families in Ohai saw the deep need of a resident Minister in the town, and Ohai supported the venture towards Circuit funds to the extent of £3000 over the first three year period. A new property Trust was formed for the parsonage and on the 13th April, 1959, work began on the building. The venture was completed, being opened and dedicated on 21st November, 1959 by the Wallace M.P., the presented Under-Secretary to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr B. E. Talboys, whose sterling challenge to the Methodists of this community will live long in the memory of many.

With the appointment of the Rev. F. G. Glen to Ohai in 1960, he became the only resident Christian minister in the town. Ohai became the centre of the north-western section of the pastorate, having pastoral care for all the districts now included in this history.

A Sunday School was commenced in 1960 under the Superintendency of Mr Wm Elliott, assisted by Mrs Edna Finn, Miss J. Crook, and Mrs M. Glen. Young people’s work commenced in earnest when a Youth Hall was added to the existing Church and opened in February 1961. The building had been donated to the Church by the State Mines Department, and with creditable enthusiasm 18 men put over 500 of free labour hours into its construction. The Church was also painted, and these two achievements were made possible by the sacrifice of time and money by several of the Trustees and other helpers.

Today a Men's Fellowship, Ladies Guild, Youth Club, Sunday School, and Life Boy team are activities in connection with the Ohai Church. Church membership is low, with only 18 Communicant members, but over 60 families are part of our Church S life, with 202 people under pastoral care (population 967, 1961 Census). Ohai as the centre of the new district is well provided for in a modern parsonage, Church and Hall. At present the Conference has stationed the Superintendent Minister of the Circuit at Ohai. Officials are: Trustees, Messrs R. V. McLean, J. Bennie, T. G. Bryant, Wm. Elliott, Mesdames E. Pinn, H. Smith, H. Bennie, R. McLean. Sacramental Steward, Mrs D. Nicol, Guild Secretary, Mrs V. McCauley.



WEST ARM, LAKE MANAPOURI: Industry Challenges the Church

With the arrival of the survey team in West Arm, Lake Manapouri, right in the heart

of Western Southland's vast Fiordland National Park, in search of a Hydro centre for

the Consolidated Zinc project the Church saw another challenge.

After discussions with the present Circuit Stewards, Messrs J. N. Keen and R. V.

McLean, the Chairman of the District, Rev. A. J. Johnston, and the Comalco

representatives, the Rev. F. G. Glen went in to the head of Lake Manapouri on 11th

April, 1961, and there, amid primitive conditions, conducted a service for the 21 men

engaged by Theiss Bros., and Gore Drilling, who at that time were building their camp

accommodation. This was the first service to be held under these conditions in the

heart of Fiordland. The hut where the first service was held was owned by the

Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company and had originally been built in the late

1920s by Mr Norman Hankin who at that time was a guide on the track. Mr Hankin is

now retired at Riverton Rocks and is a trustee of the Riverton Methodist Church.

Gospel comes to the heart of Fiordland.

First service at camp site of Consolidated Zinc Project .

Left to right:Rev. F. Glen, Mr. John Squires, Mr. Bert Hebron.

The Quarterly Board later gave permission for a regular service every six weeks to continue at West Arm. The original work now being done there is the drilling of the



test shaft and bore, being undertaken by the companies mentioned. These present contracts will expire in late 1961 when companies from overseas wishing to tender for the gigantic scheme estimated to cost well over £60 million in the next 6 years, will arrive to do their investigations. Some are already arriving.

Until this time arrives the Church has come to an arrangement with the present company whereby the Minister has three days and two nights in the Camp. During that time religious film evenings are held and various other activities conducted, including the maintenance of a library. On the second visit to the camp some 36 men were in residence, and over the two nights spent there by the minister much social welfare work was carried out. Since then over 40 men have attended other functions held at later times.

Although some 69 miles by road from Ohai and a further 21 by boat, this distance is not great when the new rural development taking place through the Te Anau area is considered. Already Methodists are immigrating to this new area. Some 6 Church members and 12 families represent our Church. The welfare work and services at West Arm enabled more pastoral oversight to be conducted in Te Anau-Mossburn. Our Church will have to seriously consider what our policy will be in the growing district where in 5 to 8 years time 150 farming settlements will have been established. At the moment the Circuit has accepted the offer of the newly formed Mararoa Presbyterian Parish of Reciprocal Church membership. This will take effect on the first appointment to the Parish, but details of pulpit exchange and other work is yet to be finalized.

Hope has been expressed by our Church officials that the services and welfare work commenced at West Arm will be the forerunner of the establishment of a resident National Council of Churches Chaplain in conjunction with the Y.M.C.A. when the bigger scheme finally gets under way in mid-1962. The Circuit recently gave approval to the Methodist N.C.C. representatives to bring the matter forward. At the moment it is difficult to foresee just what the prospects will be for the Church in West Arm and Deep Cove, but a settlement will undoubtedly be constructed by the Company concerned who secure the final contract. If so, it is known already that some 400 men will be employed, on the scheme. The Circuit hopes to be able to carry negotiations through the correct channels so that the best ecumenically can be accomplished for the Church in this place. Meanwhile West Arm is the only preaching place of any Church which is situated in the heart of Fiordland and the work will be continued. The men in the camp have undertaken to meet all expenses in conjunction with the Church's undertaking. Leaders of the Pastorate in Ohai have expressed their satisfaction that the Church is in the front line of industry, in both Ohai and West Arm.

Meanwhile over this experimental period, and during development towards the final project the Methodist Church will continue to exercise a ministry regularly in the existing camp and settlement. The 1961 Census revealed a total population of 56 in the Fiordland County, 11 declaring themselves as Methodists.



LIST OF MINISTERS ACCORDING TO CONFERENCE MINUTES

It is to be noted that until 1949 all appointments changed in April and this list includes the

actual years men were working in the Circuit, including that year they changed. After 1949 all

changes took place in February, thus the year of their change has been omitted.

1886-88 WALLIS, Rev. J. T. Nightcaps from Riverton

1888-90 FELLOWS, Rev. S. Nightcaps from Riverton

1890-92 NOTT M.A., Rev. J. T. Nightcaps from Riverton

1892-95 NEWBOLD, Rev. T. W. Nightcaps from Riverton

1895-96 LOCHORE, Rev. J. A. Nightcaps from Riverton

1896-97 FEATHERSTON, Rev. J. Resident at Nightcaps

1897 RICHARDS, Rev. J. Resident at Nightcaps

1898 GREENSLADE, Rev. W. Resident at Nightcaps

1899-01 BURROWS, Rev. J. T. Nightcaps rfom Otautau

1901-03 BOYS, Rev. F. W. Nightcaps from Otautau

1905-06 BECKETT, Rev. W. Nightcaps from Otautau

1907 WHEATON, Rev. N. G. Resident at Nightcaps

1908-14 SLEEP, Rev. W. E. Resident at Nightcaps

1914-16 WEIR, Rev. W. E. Resident at Nightcaps

1916-17 EDMONDSON, J. H. Resident at Nightcaps

1917 SKUSE, Rev. T. Resident at Nightcaps

1918 PEOPLES, Rev. E. J. Nightcaps, covering Ohai

1919-23 SLEEP, Rev. W. E. Nightcaps, covering Ohai

1924 DUNCAN, Rev. C. Nightcaps, covering Ohai

1925-26 WHITTLESTONE, Rev. G. Nightcaps, covering Ohai

1926-28 DYSON, Rev. H. Nightcaps, covering Ohai

1928-31 JAMIESON, MBE, Rev V R Nightcaps, covering Ohai-Tuatapere

1931-33 ASHWORTH, Rev. J. C. R. Nightcaps, covering Ohai-Tuatapere

1933-37 ROBINSON, Rev. C. Nightcaps, covering Ohai-Tuatapere

1937-39 MacDONALD, Rev. W. Nightcaps, covering Ohai, Winton

1939-45 BRASELL, Rev. M. H. Nightcaps, covering Ohai, Winton

1945 AMOS, Rev. J. F. Nightcaps, covering Ohai, Opio, Wairio

1946-49 ROBINSON, Rev. K. Nightcaps, Ohai from Otautau

1950 KEIGHTLY, Rev. C. Nightcaps, Ohai from Otautau

1951 CARTER, Pastor P. Resident at Ohai, H.M. Appointment

1952-53 KEIGHTLY, Rev. C. Nightcaps, Ohai from Otautau

1954-57 EASTWOOD, Rev. E. R. Nightcaps, Ohai from Otautau

1958-59 GLEN, Rev. F. G. Nightcaps, Ohai from Otautau

1960 GLEN, Rev. F. G. Resident at Ohai, covering present pastorate,

first resident minister



WINTON MINISTERS DURING ITS TIME AS A

HOME MISSION STATION

1906-09 HOOPER, Rev. W. T.

1909-13 FOSTON. Rev. Chas. H.

1914 WATERS, Rev. W. K.

1915 CULE, Rev. G. H.

1916-19 VACANT ...

1919-20 COSSUM, Rev; P. J., from St. Peter's Circuit, Invercargill

1920 CLOSING OF HOME MISSION STATION

pioneer methodism in the coalfields of southland by f.g historical/19(1,2) southland... · riverton...

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