TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1408, 3 June 1865, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

United Methodist Fheb CntjiiCH.—A meeting of the friends and members of this denomination was held last night at Bonnington's hall. The meeting having been with prayer and the singing of a hymn, the Rev. J. Tyerman was called to the chair. He remarked that the object of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taken in order to procure the erection of a chapel in Christchurch, for the use of the members. They had been blessed with an unusual degree of spiritual success, and they desired to record their gratitude to the Author and Giver of all good for it. Their members were now so much increased, that it must be patent to all, that the time had arrived when they should endeavour to provide a chapel of their own. True, they had been permitted to use Bonnington's Hall, as a temporary measure, and they hud found it a very convenient and valuable place of meeting. But it was engaged by the society on a very precarious tenure, and they might be called upon to relinquish the occupation of it at a very short notice. There could be no doubt in the mind of any one of the desirability of the undertaking; but the great point was its practicability. He hoped that nothing would be done rashly in the matter; it was a subject requiring grave and anxious deliberation, for the step

which they were about to take was a most important one. He trusted that the meeting would approach it with calmness, candour, and harmony. Two or three subjects in connection with the matter would in all probability be brought before them, such as the best means of raising the necessary funds, the selection of the site, &c. The first was, of course, a matter of paramount importance. Perhaps it would be as well to give this the most careful consideration. He hoped that the society would not hamper itself by means of any hastily concocted arrangements. There was one suggestion which he should like to throw out, namely, that it would be very desirable that intending contributors should spread their donations over a given period of time. This plan had worked well amongst other communities, and persons had often*! found that by means of it, they had been enabled without inconvenience to themselves greatly to add to the amount of their gifts. Tht plan of putting aside small weekly sums would also be found to augment the funds collected very considerably. There was a vast amount both of work and responsibility thrown upon the society, which was only yet in its infancy. A site must be selected, and the organization for carrying out the project must be set in motion. Mr. Fisher was the next speaker. He observed that he thoroughly endorsed the sentiments of the Rev. Chairman. He thought that the society had every reason to thank God foi past successes, and to take courage for the future progress of this undertaking. They had commenced it in faith, and they humbly, yet confidently, looked to Him to increase and bless it. Some conversation, in which several members took part ensued. Indeed, the meeting was almost entirely oi a conversational character, the greatest possible expression of opinion being invited. From the discussior we gathered that it is hoped to erect a chapel (accommodating about 400 persons), in the neighbourhood of Christchureh, if not in the city itself. Th( expense was estimated at about, including the site £800 to £1000. A committee, embracing all the adult male members of the society wai formed, Mr. Parker acting as secretary, pn tern. The committee, which is purposely madi as numerous as possible, in order to facilitate the collection of subscriptions, will be em powered to decide what amount of subscription! received will be sufficient to justify them in com mencing the work; this authority, of course, t< be subject to the approval of the quarterly churcl meeting. Some discussion arose on this point, th< majority however, of the persons present at th< meeting seemed to be of opinion that half tht required amount should be fixed upon. The selec tion of the site and the time of beginning th< building must be regulated by the. circumstance in which the committee find themselves. Th( meeting was well attended, and the utmos union and harmony of feeling prevailed. Tin following resolutions were carried:—Moved by Mr Fisher, and seconded by Mr. Buxton—" That it has become highly expedient that a place of worship, ir connection with the United Methodist Free Churches should be erected in Christchurch as soon as thi necessary funds can be obtained." Moved by Mr Booth, and seconded by Mr. Meadows—" That it .ii not desirable that we should commence the erectior of such building until subscriptions to the amount o: one-half the probable cost of the building at leasi have been obtained;" Moved by Mr. Parker, anc seconded by Mr. Buxton—" That the committee report to the quarterly meeting and solicit its concurrence in th e views expressed in these resolutions.' Moved by Mr. Smithson, and seconded by Mr. Aulsebrook—" That a subscription list be forthwitl opened, and contributions solicited, under the direc tion of the committee." Moved by Mr. Fisher, and seconded by Mr. Smithson—" That the committee b( formed, to carry these resolutions into effect, consisting of the following persons -.—Messrs. Fisher, Booth, Jones, Parker, Ayers, Aulsebrook, Hall Thompson, Delamaine, Caygill, Flesher, Buxton, Smithson, Andrews, Tremaine, J. Booth, Whitley, W. J. Fisher, Ward, Minifie, Doran, Hudson, Bain, Woolley, Thomas, J. Rowe, Poole, W. Rowe, and Oatway." A considerable amount was promised in the meeting.

The Theatre.—"Plot and Passion" was performed last pight, to a very fair house. The highlywrought incidents and somewhat laborious plot of the piece did not seem to catch the taste of the audience generally, though the acting was much improved from the first representation, and the play went very smoothly throughout. The Brothers Wieland varied their performances this evening, by omitting the gymnastic entertainment and the flying trapeze, and substituting a series of dexterous performances on the single trapeze and slack rope, with feats of agility and dexterity. The whole were very neatly performed. The ballet, by the Leopold troupe, in which, also, Miss Wiseman and some other members of the dramatic company took part, was the most amusing which we have yet had. The story was told in as descriptive a manner as it might have been by dialogue ; and when we say that the body of the scene was Moorish, and that a representative French soldier and an English sailor are introduced, by way of contrast, we have given a sufficient indication of the character of the ballet. Nothing could possibly be more laughable than parts of the pantomimic performance. The dancing was gracefully executed, and Fraulein Fannie, as usual, received the repeated applause of the house.

Gaol Returns.—The annexed are the gaol returns for the month ending May 31. Lyttelton gaol: males, hard_labour, 53 ; imprisonment, 9 ; debtors, 18 ; total males, 90. The total number of prisoners discharged during the month was 25—namely, 2 tried before Supreme Court, 13 tried before magistrates ; debtors, 8. Two prisoners were removed to Christchurch. All the above were males, Christchurch gaol: males for trial at the Supreme Court, 1; hard labour, 13 ; total males, 14. Females for trial at the Supreme Court, 3 ; hard labour, 5 ; imprisonment, 3; total females, 11. The total number of prisoners discharged was 11, of whom 4 were females.

Lunatic Asylum.—A male patient was discharged from this institution on Thursday last. He had only been an inmate for about two months. During that short period he has entirely recovered from the furious paroxysms of insanity to which he ■ had been liable.

Lyttelton Football Cldb.—The members of this club met at the Queen's Hotel, on Thursday evening, for the purpose of electing a gentleman to hold the post of honorary secretary, vice Mr. P Glen, resigned ; Mr. John Russell was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. Arrangements were made to commence the first match of the season at 2 o'clock p.m. (this day), at Cass' Bay. During the evening, several. new members joined the club. Mr. Wm. lUyner (vice-president) occupied the chair.