ASHBURTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XL, Issue 3926, 25 August 1873, Page 3

ASHBURTON.

A public meeting of those interested in the erection of a Church of England parsonage was held in the District Schoolroom on Aug. 21. The meeting was well attended, and great interest was taken in the proceedings. Mr H. T. Winter, Chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair. In opening the business of the meeting the Chairman stated that a sum of money had been sub* scribed some years ago for the purpose of building a Church of England parsonage in some part of the Ashburton district; that the amount had been invested, and had now accumulated to a considerable sum; that, although there was little doubt that the original subscribers would authorise it to be expended in this part of the district, yet it was necessary to obtain their consent before calculating upon obtaining this amount with absolute certainty. He had also great pleasure in stating to the meeting that Sir Thomas Tancred and Mr J. Tancred had signified their willingness to present ten acres of land, situated close to the township, for the purposes of a glebe. He would now call upon Mr P. Cox to give some further explanation respecting the subscriptions he (the Chairman) had alluded to. Mr 'Cox' then explained that the sum of £157 had been invested for several years, and had now accumulated to £270, or thereabouts, and although not originally subscribed for the erection of a parsonage, it had been decided by a meeting of the subscribers to appropriate it to that purpose. That, as one of the trustees, he would call a meeting of the subscribers at an early date, and that in all probability they would direct the amount to be transferred to this part of the district to be applied to the erection of a parsonage. That in his opinion there need be no delay in proceeding with the work, as he did not anticipate any difficulty respecting the amount already subscribed.

It was then proposed by Mr P. Cox, and seconded by the Eev J. H. Wills—" That the thanks of this meeting be conveyed *to Sir Thomas Tancred and Mr Tancred for their liberal gift of ten acres of land for the purposes of a glebe.” This resolution was carried with acclamation.

It was proposed by seconded by Dr Trevor, and r esolved—“ That the parsonage house be erected on the land presented by the Messrs Tancred.”

It was proposed by Mr J. Ward, seconded by Mr J. Hunt, and resolved—“ That a committee be elected for taking the necessary steps towards the erection of Parsonage house, collecting subscriptions, &c., and that it be an instruction to the committee, that provided they have sufficient funds in hand to add to the site for the parsonage, with the object that, should the district be subdivided at some future time, part of this land might be sold, the proceeds to go towards a parsonage in the other part of the district, in consideration of the money in hand, subscribed by the whole district, being handed over for the erection of a parsonage in the north-western part of the district. It was proposed by Dr. Trevor, seconded by Mr Ward, and resolved—“ That the following gentlemen form the committee, with power to add to their number; —The Rev J. H. Wills, Dr Trevor, J. Hunt, J. Harrison, I'. Mayo, J. Qrigg, H. T. Winter, J. Ward.” The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

A meeting of the committee was held immediately after the termination of the public meeting, the BevJ. H. Wills in the chair. Several important matters were considered and decided upon. Mr Pooka was appointed architect. An application was ordered to be made to the Church Property Trustees, for a grant in aid of the building. The building was estimated to cost about £SOO. The meeting then terminated.