PROPOSED TOWN HALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 147, 29 October 1853, Page 7

PROPOSED TOWN HALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

A Meeting of the Subscribers to this proposed Institution was held at the Golden Fleece, on Thursday, to receive the report of the Committee appointed to recommend a site and design. Captain Simeon was called 'to the Chair, and called on the Committee for their Report. Mr. Porter, Hon. Sec, read the Report, which recommended a site offered by Mr. Wakefield, section No. 733, for £50, to be taken out in shares ; and a design sent in by Mr. Cridland, the estimate for which is £700, exclusive of architect's commission, which he is willing to take out in shares. Two other designs were sent in by Mr. Cridland at the same estimate ; one by Mr. Luck at £930, and one by Mr. Coxhead, at £955. The Committee recommend that the work should be begun as soon as 700 shares should be paid up. The Rev. O. Mathias objected strongly to the commencement of the building, until £1000, as originally proposed, Avas paid up, and alluded to the losses suffered, from a want of such caution, by the Committee for building the Church at Lyttelton. Cap. WESTENRA,Chairman of the Committee pointed out that in this case the Committee, if saddled with any deficiency of funds, might take shares to re-imburse themselves, which they could not do in the case of Lyttelton Church.

Some conversation ensued; and it was then agreed to reserve the question of when to begin—first deciding between the different designs. Mr. Wakefield moved,

"That the Design No. 2, sent in by Mr. Cridland, be adopted, as recommended by the Committee".

Mr. Gibbs asked for explanation as to the nature of the agreement with architects &c. Mr. Marshman and Captain Westerns explained that the Committee had only undertaken to obtain designs, and a general estimate of each. It would be for the shareholders afterwards, to determine what agreement should be made, and with whom, for executing the dcshj_n„a_.lopted i ___ __ " Mr."Cridland" explained tYaVßo'"™ as !u's designs were concerned, it was quite open to the "shareholder.-; to make contracts with any one, and to get the design executed for less

than his estimate if they could. But he pledged himself to find a contractor to build it for his estimate, if the Committee could not. Dr. Barker seconded the motion, which was carried. The different sites were then discussed, the map of Christchurch being produced. Mr..Hall moved, " That the site offered to the Commmi.ttee, by Messrs. Longden and Le Cren, be adopted." Mr. Gibbs seconded this resolution. Cap. Westenra moved the following amendment : "That Section 733 be chosen as the site for the proposed Town Hall." Mr. Cridland seconded the amendment. Mr. Bishop moved, and Mr. Gould seconded, * " That with a view of meeting the two principal objections urged, viz. expensiveness of the site of Mr. Longden's Section, and distance from the centre of the Town of Mr. Wakefield's, Mr. Read's Section be selected as being the one best suited for the building contemplated." The first amendment was carried. The meeting was then adjourned to Saturday 29th. (this day) at 3 p.m., when it is hoped that there may be a large attendance of subscribers. The Christchurch Cricket Club commence their season on Thursday next, when a match will be played on their new ground, near the Botanical Gardens. The ground is in capital order, and reflects much credit on those of the Club who have taken it in hand during the winter. The proximity of the ground to the town will have the effect of rendering the matches of the season more numerously and better attended by players and the public, than was before practicable. A commodious club-house is in course of erection attached to the ground for the convenience of members.