PEAL OF BELLS FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 223, 25 February 1875, Page 2

PEAL OF BELLS FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

A public meeting of citizens interested in procuring a full peal of bells for the city, in pursuance of previous action taken in this direction, was held yesterday afternoon at Warner’s Commercial Hotel. The early hour at which the meeting had been called no doubt prevented a large attendance. On the motion of Mr John Ollivier, his Worship the Mayor took the chair. His Worship referred to the advertisement calling the meeting, and recapitulated the business done since the movement started. He would like the secretary to read the minutes of what had been done at the previous meetings. Mr Sawtell read the minutes of the meetings previously held, and desired to add that several gentlemen had requested him to apologise for their absence. Mr J. Ollivier, after drawing attention to two anomalies, to his view, in the conditions (which were afterwards explained), felt assured that the whole of Christchurch were heart and soul with the question, as they felt that the only thing required to make Christchurch to perfection an English town was a peal of bells. [Hear, 1 eir.] He was certain that the people were hearty and sincere in their desire to see this carried out, and would only be too desirous to follow to success the noble example so worthily set them by their German friends. [Applause.] He would move—“ That in order to give effect to the resolutions already passed by the committee, it is desirable to canvass the city and its suburbs for subscriptions for the purchase of a further peal of five bells for the city of Christchurch.” Mr Gordon seconded the resolution, and said he had been asked by some gentlemen what had become of the funds of the concert given some time ago in aid of this object. In reply, he had expressed an opinion that possibly the receipts had been overbalanced by the expenditure. Since these enquiries, he had thought it to be his duty to wait upon Mr Parker, who was instrumental in getting up that concert, and from that gentleman he had learnt the nett proceeds had been between £5 and £6. Mr Parker immediately after the concert had waited upon Mr Deßourbel with a desire to hand this money to him, but that gentleman saw so little prospect of the object being favorably carried out, that he advised him (Mr Parker) to devote it to some charitable purpose. St Michael’s organ fund was mentioned, but as the subscriptions had come in largely for that purpose, he did not consider it necessary to hand the money over for that object. He (Mr Parker) had thus been compelled to retain the money, and was now glad to have an opportunity of being able to hand it to any permanent committee appointed for the purpose of procuring a peal of bells, and he desired to mention that it was Mr Parker’s wish that this should be made public. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. Mr Ollivier moved—“ That the following gentlemen be requested to act as canvassers —Messrs G. Gordon, J. Ollivier, W. Schmidt, W. Hobbs, senior, and T. Bruce, with power to add to their number, and that the meeting be ac.journed until again summoned by the Mayor.” The resolution was seconded, and agreed to. Mr Sawtell stated to the meeting that he bad given instructions for a number of collecting cards to be printed, which action was approved. Mr Sawtell agreed to act as hon treasurer in addition to his duties as hon secretary. The meeting then adjourned.