CHRISTCHURCH, July 15th.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 80, 17 July 1852, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH, July 15th.

(From a Correspondent.; The meeting to promote an Athenaeum took place, as announced oy advertisement, on Friday evening, and was characterised by considerable acrimony and disorder. As, however, I noticed your Special Reporter present,! refrain from making any comments, as I conclude he v/ill give a faithful account of all that transpired. I may, nevertheless, express the regret I feel in common with the large majority of the inhabitants of Christehurch, at the mistaken view taken of his duties by the Rsv. Chairman, which eventually resulted, after much unprofitable discussion, in the withdrawal of eighttenths of the meeting, leaving a few mistaken zealots to pass resolutions utterly useless for any permanent or practical results. Had Mr. Fitton's sensible and moderate propositions been entertained, instead of being arbitrarily refused even being heard by the Chairman, a compromise might have been effected, and the two Societies blended together for all beneficial purposes, each moving in its own orbit undisturbed Jby the other's difference of opinion. But Diis aliter visum est —a few Dimneities ruled otherwise, and hence are laid the foundations of future disunion and divisions. Our Colonists' Society met on Tuesday evening, Mr. Tancred in the chair, and was very numerously attended. The chairman alluded to the proceedings of Friday evening, and expressed his regret that the propositions which would, be conceived, have had the effect of obliterating differences, and amalgamating the two Societies into one, had not, owing to a technical difficulty not easily understood, been • listened to. He yet bad hopes of the two

Societies combining, through the moderate party of the Athenaeum entertaining a desire to come to some accommodation. He then read the resolutions which Mr. Fitton desired to move on Friday—

1. " That an Institution be established for promoting public instruction upon Literary and Scien" tific objects, upon such a basis as shall enable all classes to avail themselves of the advantages it would offer. 8

2. " That with this view a Committee be an pointed to confer witli the Committee of the Colonists' Society, to ascertain whether it may not be possible to effect such alterations in the practical scope and working of the Institution, as may tend to render it acceptable to a portion of the community to whose wishes and requirements it appears in its present form, to be scarcely adapted. ' 3. "That it is of primary importance that a Building be erected without delay, containing a Public Library and Reading Room, capable ot affording sufficient accommodation for the public meetings of the Society ; and that the Committee be empowered to collect subscriptions for the above object."

Mr. Packer stated what had been clone with respect to erecting a suitable building. From .£l5O to £170 was estimated as necessary for the purpose of a substantial building, excluding ornaments, about 25 ft. wide, and 35 ft. in length. Thirteen members had already subscribed .-668, and several suitable sites, at leases of 21 years, had been offered at nominal rents by various parties. Mr. Packer moved—

" That the Building Committee have power to add to their number; and that the consideration of their Report be adjourned to the next meeting," Which was seconded by Mr. Wilson. Discussion then ensued with respect to the Post Office, and a Committee was appointed to enquire into the subject, and prepare a petition to Sir George Grey in favour of better arrangements. Mr. Fitton brought forward the subject of a coalition with the Athenamm which, after cone siderable discussion, resulted in a Committee being appointed to confer with the Committeof the Athenaeum, in order to unite the two Societies "in a conciliatory spirit, but without yielding one jot of the Society's principles." On Tuesday in the forenoon some excitement prevailed in the neighbourhood of the Golden Fleece Hotel, in consequence of large volumes of smoke issuing from the ra"nge of chimnies of that establishment, out of one of which flames were likewise pouring. The timely exertions of Mr. Gartner, the proprietor, assisted by his servants, soon however, extinguished the fire without doing any serious mischief. At a Special Meeting of Magistrates holden at Christehurch, on Saturday, July 10th, Magistrates —Mr. Hamilton, in the elixir, Messrs. Rose, Brittan, Fitzgerald, Watts Russell, Westenra, Bowen, Woolcombe, Cholmondeley, Fitton, Simeon, Bray, Godley, Cookson, Tancred, Phillips, and Wakefield :— The following resolutions were adopted:— " That it is not, as a general principle, advisable that the Resident Magistrate occupy, as a right, the chair at the Sessions of the Magistrates in this district." " That Mr. Godley be elected Chairman." " That a memorial be addressed to his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, requesting that he will permit the travelling allowance of ten shillings and sixpence now made to Mr. Wright, to be appropriated to the payment of a Clerk to the Bench at Christehurch ; and that he will permit the Bench of Magistrates to appoint a fit and proper person as such Clerk."