Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/85

Rh The following is an extract from the report:—"Very soon after the church was opened it was found to be too small, and a large addition was made to it. Some alterations were also made on the original church; the manse and church-grounds have been enclosed, a classroom has been erected, and sundry other improvements have been made. These things cost upwards of £2000, so that the congregation has paid upwards of £3500 for the church and manse since the first congregational meeting was held, and that over and above maintaining a missionary for several years, making numerous collections for objects not connected with the congregation, and paying all other expenses connected with the church; and now, in seven and a half years, we are free to start anew in the work of our Lord. May He give us His grace to be faithful!"

In April 1868 Mr James Chisholm, now the esteemed minister of Tokomairiro Church, was appointed congregational missionary. Among his duties were those of officiating at the North-East Valley. School-house on Sabbath evenings, assisting occasionally at the weekly prayer meeting there, and giving one day in the week to household visitation in that district. Mr Chisholm resigned his office as congregational missionary in January 1869, but offered to continue his services gratuitously in North-East Valley until his place could be otherwise supplied. At this time a committee was appointed to consider the circumstances of the North-East Valley, and to inquire as to what should be done for continuing the services of a congregational missionary. The efforts of the minister and his office-bearers on behalf of the North-East Valley district continued unabated until no longer required to the same extent, the settlers having in 1869 succeeded in forming a separate congregation, which met at first in the volunteers' drillshed at the Water of Leith, and afterwards at North Dunedin Church, under the ministry of the Rev. Dr Copland.

In 1868 the Rev. Robert Hood and some other members of Knox Church resident in the district joined the newly-formed congregation at Kaikorai, which had been constituted a settled charge under the ministry of the Rev. W. Alves, now deceased. Robert Hood was born in the parish of Innerwick, Haddingtonshire, in 1801. After receiving a substantial education at the parish school, he studied for the ministry at the University of Edinburgh, and in due course was licensed by the