That regarding the drink trafiio na a sad hindrance to the progress of Christianity, wi&gftrnesUy urge upon all the members of'the Church the duty of furthering the cause of temperunco by personal example. 2. That this Assembly renews our now oft-repeated testimony in favour of local option by direct vote

of the people ab the ballot-box. 3. That this Assembly urges all ministers to address all their congregations frequently on the great sin of intemperance and its accom panying evils, and thab on the first Sab bath of December or on such other Lord's Day of that month as may be convenient a special sermon on this subject b& preached in all congregations. 4. That whilst re joicing in the existence of many external temperance organisations, and grateful for their valuable assistance, and believing that they are well fitted for combined political action, this Assembly recognises that to the Church belongs the supreme obligation to take the lead in this great warfare, and accordingly kirk sessions are instructed to watchcarefullyoverthereclaimedanderring. 5. That we continue the excellent system of the Presbyterial temperance agents, and urge all the brethren to co-operate with us in our efforts for the promotion of temperance. Report on Sabbath Schools. — The Committee reported that the first annual examination took place in April, when nine schools took part in it. These were Timaru, and Pleasant Point, Presbytery of Timaru ; Waipukurau, Preabytery of Hawke's Bay ; Patea, Bulls, and Feilding, Presbytery of Wanganui; and St. Andrew's, St. David's, and Onehunga, Presbytery of Auckland. The examination furnished gratifying evi dence of the good and thorough work done by our Sabbath school teachers, a very large proportion of those examined having taken an honourable position. The exami nation for this year embraces the lessons for the second quarter of the year, and will take place in July. Maori Mission.—The Committee re ported that the Presbyterian missionaries had been able to carry out their work with out hindrance from ill-health or otherwise. They recommended that Mr Fletcher's salary be increased to £80 per annum. Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund. —An application from the Rev. J. W. 