BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 55, 27 February 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From our awn Correspondent.) February 24th. A. meeting of those who are interested in the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Martin was held in the school on Monday evening last, at tho time of meeting, seven o'clock. There was a good attendance, and we noticed several Presbyterians aii'V Wesloyans also. Such i 3 the general estimation in which all our clergy of every denomination are held, that on the visit of any one of them we, as a people, have all things in common. Tho ltev. Mr. Martin took the chair, and explained that one object of the meeting was the election of a Church Committee, and he thought he need not say this was an important matter in connexion with any Christian Church, and he hoped that such a comniittee would be elected as would co-operate with him in the work of doing good in the neighbourhood. Mr. McLellatid gave an account of the working of the committee in connexion ■ with Dr. Copland's church, and offered some suggestions for the guidance of the meetingA conversation arose a3 to tho number "necessary to make a strong committee, and it wa3 decided to have soven. A number of gentlemen were proposed, from which, by a show of hands, the following were declared elected, viz. :—: — Messrs. j-Viorris, 3tobert Eliioi, W. Osbornc, W. Ledingnavn, C, Wiliianuoa,

M. Pope, and Thoa. "Williams. Mr. Morris was unanimously elected Secretary and Treasurer. The first Committee meeting was arranged to be held next Monday evening, and we have no doubt they will set themselves to work in earnest. They have a good deal to do, and we hope they are the men "to do it. The first thing which I have no doubt they will set about doing, will be the providing further means for the support of the minister, who cannot be expected to preach for the paltry amount collected at the door. I have heard they will at once institute measures to get up a sustentation fund. Next in importance is the proper conduct of the music. "We are no ritualists here, but it is very desirable to have better singing, and if the friends who belong to this particular branch of the Church will do their best, this stigma will not sit as a " shade" upon their service. At the close of the congregational moehing it was announced that Mr. Martin would deliver a lecture. Mr. Me Lelland proposed, for the sake of order, that afc this point of the evening's entertainment a chairman should be elected, and he had great pleasure in proposing that Mr. John Carey take the chair, which, being seconded by Mr. Kobert Elliot, was agreed to. Mr. Carey introduced the lecturer, who gave us a reading a lecture by the Eev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, entitled, " Five Shillings and Costs." After the delivery of the lecture a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Martin, also to Mr. Carey for presiding. Thursday being Mr. Taylor's last day in this part of the district, we had quite a -juvenile concert. None of the committee could spare the time to bo present; but the ladies made noble amends by turning out in imposing numbers. At the close the teacher expressed himself highly gratified with Mr. Taylor's visit, and stated that !i3 for one v/< >n] d be only too happy to have a second visit soon ; and he spoke also for the children, who are in ecstasies with Mr. Taylor's manner of instructing them in music. Three cheers were given, ;«id one clitscr more ; Cheers were also given for tha 1-uly visitors. Mr. Taylor very briefly and feelingly replied. On Thursday evening the Rev. Dr. Copland delivered an interesting address on Missions. He went over the ground occupied, or about to be occupied, by the Synod of Otago and Southland. He dwelt at some length as to the importance of supporting the various schemes. Mr. -M 'Lelland followed by proposing a resolution—"That a branch associate >n be formed at the Blue Spur, to co-operate with the District society at Lawrence ; and that the ladies be kindly requested to do the dury of collectors." This was seconded by Mr. French, and carried. Several ladies gave in their names at the close of the meeting as collectors.