LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1264, 16 July 1864, Page 5

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

The members of this institution held their annual meeting at the Town Hall on, Monday evening. There was a good attendance and the proceedings appeared to excite considerable interest. At the annual meetings it has been usual to submit the report of the society and balance-shout for the past year, but owing to the illness of the secretary and other causes, they were not forthcoming. We believe, however, the society to bo in a flourishing state, and tluit within the past week a large accession of new members has taken place. Tins institution has especial claims on the public of Canterbury and on the townspeople of Lyttelton in particular. It is the parent institution of the province. In the records of the proceedings of its earlier days we trace the efforts made and influences exercised by the great and good belonging to the pilgrim fathers, men who founded on ft permanent basis a rising and influential colony of Englishmen after the fashion of our fatherland. We claim for this institution at the present time more than ordinary attention ; during the next twelve months it is the hope of the committee to succeed in providing a suitable building for the valuable library attached to the Society, with good reading and class rooms. The Municipal Council are about to grant the lease, at a nominal rental, of a valuable site in Oxford street, on which it is proposed to erect a substantial building. A read-ing-room is to be constructed on the most approved method for ensuring the comfort of the members; it is also in contemplation by the committee to lmve the newsroom open during the day, accessible at all times free of charge to the captains and officers of the ships and steamers frequenting the port, and to all non-residents on a visit to the province. On Monday evening, the following gentlemen were elected the officers and committee for the next twelve months:—President, Sydney E. Wright, Esq.; Vice do, Rev. J. Crump; Committee: Messrs. Balestice, Dunsford, Donald, Caro, K. England, Fyft-S Fergußson, Glenn, Igglesden, Jenkins, Johnson, LeCren, Mills, Pearoe, Preece, Rayner, Renshaw, and Stamford. Secretary, Mr. Carder. At the close of the proceedings a vote of thanks was given to Mr. Spowers, for his contribution of the Argus newspaper, and also to other benefactors of the society. The annual soiree of the Society will be held early next month.