LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 78, 3 July 1852, Page 10

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

The first meeting of this Society was held, according- to public announcement, on Wednesday evening at the Temporary Church, and was we were rejoiced to find, most numerously and respectably attended, a very large- proportion of the adult male population of the Town being present, together with many persons from the Plains. The meeting was likewise graced by the presence of several ladies.

At 7 o'clock the Committee entered the Room, when Mr. Godley took the chair, and commenced the proceedings by calling upon the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Alp'ort, to read the names of those already enrolled on the books of the Society. This was done, and it appeared. that the Society already numbers a majority of the resident male population of the Town, and there was every reason to anticipate that it would soon number every eligible person. It may not be amiss to state that'the members of the Society are classed under three heads : Ist, those who subscribe ss. quarterly, and areentitled to all the advantages of the Society, including the issue of books, and who number 70 ; 2nd, those who subscribe 3s. quarterly, without the privilege of talcing- home books, I*2 ; and lastly, 70 who subscribe ls.'tJd. quarterly, and are en-

titled to admission to the reading-room, lectures, and discussions. In the course of the evening the Chairman alluded to the smallness of the subscription, Is. 6d., which it was in the power of every individual, without the slightest detriment to himself or family, to subscribe, and hojfed that many who had hitherto contented themselves with the minimum subscription and consequent minimum privileges, would be induced to seek the further and greater advantages held out by the Library. As all Societies at their first start necessarily involve a certain outlay it was hoped that all who had it in their power, would pay a year's subscription in advance, to enable the Committee to commence proceedings unfettered by any pecuniary liability. We urge this upon our readers as, if acted upon, it will enable the Committee to start the Society with all the advantages attached to, and expected of, it. It was moved by Mr. Reader, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Paul, " that the nomination of Committee and Officers do take place this evening," which was carried unanimously, and subsequently four lists of candidates were handed to the Chairman, which may now be seen posted in the Reading Room for the information of all who intend exercising their privileges of voting at the next meeting of the Society. Mr. Godley then gave his promised inaugural address, which we regret that it is not in our power to publish this week, but shall do so in our next issue. £§It embraced every argument adducible in favour of similar societies; the advantages and privileges attached to them, and how when fairly and honestly carried out, they must necessarily prove of the greatest assistance in advancing the mental and moral condition of mankind. He was decidedly in favour of the introduction of politics; in fact, he could not see how their introduction could be avoided: for himself he must say that in the lectures he proposed giving on New Zealand, he would tread on politics at every step, and if his Rev. friend, Mr. Paul, could avoid them in his forthcoming Lectures on the Reformation, he should look up him as an intellectual phenomenon indeed. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. Godley's address was listened to with profound attention, and seemed to be thoroughly appreciated by they meeting. At its conclusion it was proposed by the Rev. Mr. Paul, and seconded by Dr. Donald, " that the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Godley for his able address." Mr. Godley briefly returned thanks, and added that Capt. Simeon had made a very valuable present to the Society in the shape of a copy of the Encyclopedia Britanuica, a valuable hint which he hoped would not be thrown away upon those who had ;,it in their power to make similar donations. A vote of thanks was then extended to Captain Simeon, and the meeting broke up. 9 Mr. Godley stated that the following Journals would be supplied: English— The Times, Guardian, /Spectator, Illustrated London JVeivs, Punch, and Athenceum. Colonial'— Wellington Independent, Nelson Examiner, Sydney Morning Herald, and Melbourne Argus.