Whenever by any deed, transfer, will, or other instrument any real or personal property has been or shall be conveyed, transferred, devised, bequeathed, or given to or in trust for or for the benefit of the Methodist Church of New Zealand or the Primitive Methodist Connexion (either generally or in some locality), or to or in trust for or for the benefit of the members, ministers, or adherents of (or any conference, or assembly, or meeting, or fund, institution, or society in connection with) either of the said denominations or uniting Churches, or is or shall be receivable by or payable to either of the said denominations or uniting Churches, or any minister or officer thereof, every such conveyance, transfer, devise, bequest, or gift shall be construed or take effect as if the Methodist Church of New Zealand had been the Church or denomination referred to in the conveyance, transfer, devise, bequest, or gift; and the release or receipt of the president for the time being of the Methodist Church of New Zealand for any such conveyance, transfer, or devise, bequest, or gift, shall be a sufficient discharge to the person delivering, conveying, transferring, or paying the same; and all property so conveyed, devised, bequeathed, or given shall (subject to any directions to the contrary in the said deed, transfer, will, or other instrument contained) be under the control of the said conference.