AKAROA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 4 October 1851, Page 7

AKAROA.

A Meeting of the Members of the Church of England was held on Monday last, the 22nd inst., in the room at present used as Church and School Room, to take into consideration the desirableness of procuring a more worthy building for those purposes.

The Rev. Mr. Fenton was unanimously called to the Chair, who, after explaining the reasons for calling the Meeting, said, that the subscriptions collected on a former occasion lor a like purpose, had been returned to the subscribers by his predecessor. He held the former subscription list in his hand, and was sure that if the inhabitants of Akaroa responded again in such a cordial manner to this second appeal, no difficulty would be experienced in procuring a suitable building to serve the purposes of a permanent School Room, and temporary Church, He was aware that many persons thought the Canterbury Association ou°-ht to build Churches and Schools. He had no doubt that had the Association sold 100,000 acres of land as at first anticipated, the present, meetingwould have been unnecessary; but as they had only sold about 23,000 acres, he'thought Mr. Godley's offer to bear half the expense of the building a very generous one. He should call upon Mr. Watson to move the Ist resolution.

Mr. Watson on moving the Ist resolution as follows :

_ 1. "That the room at present used for the Services of the Church of England at Afcaroa, is too unsightly and uncomfortable lor,such a purpose and too small for the increasing congregation." said he would recommend an immediate movement, because the building at present used was government property, and might be required at a few days notice. He was glad to see the poorer inhabitants of Akaroa so desirous to have a good school and church. He knew seveval poor people ready to give both money and labour. Mr. Bruce seconded tins resolution, and o-ave some excellent advice as to the best materials for building the School.

Mr. Gouland proposed the second resolution. 2. " That a new building is urgently required to serve as a permanent School Room and temporary Church." Mr. Butterfield seconded this resolution, observing that the inhabitants of Akaroa seemed both able and willing to accomplish the purposes of the meeting. Dr. Watkins, on moving the 3rd resolution, said that he, for one, expected the Canterbury Association to build Churches and Schools, but Mr. Fenton's explanation had so satisfied him, that he was willing to assist as far as possible in meeting Mr. Godley's offer. He therefore had great pleasure in proposing the following resolution :•— 3. " That the fund at the disposal of the Canterbury Association being insufficient to defray the whole expense of .erecting Churches and Schools throughout the settlement, a voluntary subscription be made, to meet a grant of equal amount from the Association, towards the erection of the proposed building at Akaroa." Seconded by Mr. Farr. Mr. Wadsworth proposed the 4th resolution, and said he could bear witness to the unfitness of the present building for a school-room, several parents having objected to send their children to a place affording such free ingress to wind and rain. He had no doubt that the school would considerably increase, if a proper building was erected. The resolution was, 4. "That the following gentlemen form a com- ' mittee to collect subscriptions, and to take all other steps necessary to carry out the objects of this Meeting; viz., the Officiating Minister, Mr. Gouland, the two Church Trustees, Mr. Watkins, and Mr. Haylock, with power to add to their number. Mr. Dulac seconded this resolution, which, with the previous ones, was carried unanimously. After a vote of thanks to the Hey. Chairman, the meeting separated.