NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALCLUTHA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 169, 5 October 1877, Page 5

NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALCLUTHA.

The Building Committee of the Balclutha'Presbyterian congregation here met in the Church on Tuesday afternoon. There was a full attendance. Mr Ritchie was appointed as permanent 'Chairman. Mr Wales, architect, being present, submitted tenders for the erection of the new church. It was found that the lowest tender for a brick building, without a spire, was £3240 ; and for a building according to the same plan, but of timber, the lowest was that of Mr James Young, £2312. Mr John M'Neil moved that Mr Young's tender be accepted ; seconded by Mr Jas. Whyte. Mr Johnston moved an amendment, that the plan be modified so as to bring the cost of a brick building within £2500 ; seconded b.y Mr Wilson. After a discussion, there voted for the amendment four, and for the motion twelve.

Mr Wales explained" that to modify the plans so as to keep the cost of a brick building within £2500, an entirely difforent plan wonld have to be prepared, and the shape of the building would require to be either an oblong or square, and totally devoid of all ornamentation. We think the Committee have decided wisely to put up a comfortable and ornamental building of wood, instead of a brick building in the style of a wool-slied or farm store, which would haveiproved an eyesore to the place. Although the cost is considerably in excess of the Inch Clutha chnrch, the latter for strength and stability will not stand, comparison with Balehitha, the plan having been prepared with a view to the greatest possible strength*; 1 and the walls made so high, that when .required, a large and comfortable gallery, be erected to -give sitting -accommodation for 300.