PATEA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 6 (Supplement)

PATEA.

[from our own correspondent.]

Saturday, February 26. — A public meeting for the purpose of taking steps towards erecting a Protestaufc place of worship at Patea, was held last evening in the school-room. Major Noake was called to the chair.

The Chairman briefly stated tho object for which the meeting was held, and called upon those present to speak on the subject. Mr. Beaaiisii proposed aud Mr. Taflin seconded, " That it i 3 dcsirablo that steps should bo taken towards raising funds and erecting a place of worship in Patoa, the building to be for the Church of England, but also in the absence of a l'egular minister of that denomination, for auy or all other Protestant bodies." — Carried.

Mr. J. Hirst proposed, " That Major Noako, Messrs. J. Hirst, G. Beamish, J. Gibson, G. W. Holland, and S. Taplin, be requested to act as a committee for carrying out the foregoing resolution." — Carried.

Mr. Hirst proposed and Mr. Beamish seconded, "That five hundred copies of tli9 following circular be printed, distributed, and that subscriptious for tho abovo object bo collected forthwith." — Agreed to.

Mr. Holland proposed and Mr. TJsnER seconded, " That Major Noake and Mr. Hirst be requested to act as Treasurer and Secretary." — Carried.

This being tho wholo of tho business the meeting separated.

The following is a copy of the circular mentioned above :—: —

ii CuitoNfCLEs, Chapter vi. — The settlers of Patea District, Province of Taranaki, having, through God's good providence, been safely brought through a cruel war, desire to erect a house for the service of tho Most High God. The New Zealand Government having granted a very suitable site for the purpose, the members of the Church of England in Patea, have determined to use all their endeavours to carry out the above project. The building to be for the Church of England, and vested (together with site) in trustees for that purpose ; but in tho absence of any regular minister of that denomination, to be open to auy or all Protestaut bodies. The Patea settlers having suffered heavily during the past two years, aro compelled to ask for extraneous assistance in the universal Church of Christ, and feel that their appeal will not be made in vain. Contributions towards the above, will be thankfully received by Major Noake, R.M., Patea ; Mr. J. Hirst, Patea; Mr. G. Beamish, Patea; Mr. J. Gibson, Patea j Mr. G. W. Holland, Patea; Mr. S. Taplin, Patea; and Yen. Archdeacon Govett, New Plymouth.

In Memorial of the Late Mr. Balfour. — The following letter, from the Chief Harbour Master, Canterbury, has been forwarded to the Harbour Masters of the different Provinces : — " Harbour Office, Lyttelton, 7th February, 1870. Sir, — It has been suggested to place a stainedglass window in tho Timaru Church in memonatn of the late Mr. Balfour, Colonial Marino Engineer. I have the honour to invite yonr cooperation in collecting tho funds. To- enable all classes to testify their esteem of the above gentleman, douations will be limited to half a guinea (10s. Cd.), to be deposited afc the branch Bank of New Zealand."

Ships Loading with Entire Cargoes of Flax. — The barque ' Helen' with an entire cargo of flax, sailed from Lyttelton on sth January. Another vessel, the * Glenmark,' has been put on the berth to load with flax only.

Government Assurance and Annuities. — A General Government Gazette, issued on the 14th February, contains an Order in Council approving of a code of rules drawn up under tho Government Annuities Aot of last session. Tho regulations contain all necessary information for persons desirous of either insuring their lives or purchasing an annuity. We presume that business in this line will be at onco commenced. The various Money Order Offices throughout the Colony are to be the places of business.

The Wanganui Bridge. — Mr. McNeill has fairly commenced preliminary operations, and the erection of the bridge will noiv be pushed on as rapidly as circumstances will admit of.