LAWRENCE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 3 November 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

A congie^ational meeting of the Lawrence Church of England was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. The Hey. G. P. Bi.vumont occupied the chair. The object of the meeting was to select a site for the proposed church.

The Chairman stated that two years ago a site was purchased in the neighborhood of the parsonage. In again opening the question as to a sine, there was no intention of reflecting upon the parties who had made the selection, for at that time it was thought the town would extend in the direction of Wetherstoues ; that, however, had not been the case. It had, therefore, been thought advisable, before building, to submit the matter to the congregation. As for himself, he was opposed to the site selected two years ago, chiefly on the ground of its very exposed position. JTi<» mm experience at the parson ag- !el him i> rhmk it was not the most s l'tabl-.? s:*-^. What might be called the cl Tjy.nan's objection to it was a very strong one — it wouM tend to diminish the c-mgrug-it'on during tho winter months, and he thought there wera disinclination and obstacles enou-di to regular attendance without adding "to them. The other site proposed was That adjoining the Athenaeum, but a telegram had been received from tho Government to the effect that it could not be had.

Th»re was another site adjacent to Mr. Tuckey's stables, and bounded on oiib side by Colons.ty-dtr.'et". and the other hy Wlutohaven-street. lOnqiuries \\ereina«le after it some time .sinoo, but the owm.-r, Mr. Gordon, of the YV«at Coast, a.-»k«u £5J for ir, which was c.>iisHeri-il a yre;i deal too much. Mr. Edward Herbert had told hi >n (the chairman) that he thought it could be obtained for less money, and he would endeavour to negotiate the matter on his return to Dunedi;;. Then there was another site, of whicli Mr. Armstrong had spoken to him. It seems tlie C »nojregatu>nal Church have two sections in Wmtehaveii-stivet leased of the Corporation, and that one oJt these they would be prepared to dispose ot' at what it cost them ; but as they were held under leasehold, the church rules were against building on leaseh >id property.

Mr. Adams stated that the Corporation had not the power to sell it. Mr. Firth then proposed "that the site now in the possession of the committee be retained as the site for the church." Mr. Johnston seconded. .To bring the question to an issue, Mr. Jeffery said he would move " that the site in Whituhavon-sireet, bounded by Mr. Tuckey's stables and Colons.iystreer, be purchased if it can be obtained within a month, and for the sum of not more tiian £30." Mr. Keen seconded. The Rev. Chairman stated that all Church f«f England land is vested in the Synod, and that body only can iuterfere with it. Mr. Keen to the same effect sai'i that when the Bishop of Christclmroh was in Lawrence, There was sonu* talx of niongasjmg the parsonage, but he (the Bis.i"p) said such a tiling could not be done. Mr. >impson, on behalf of Mr. M'Cuy, said that that gentleman had kindly offered to draw up the coiiveyaiues of the property free, if the site did not exceed £30. Tiie amendment was then put to the meetmg a*j<l carried by a !arg3 majority. Mr. Firth proposed that the present site be used failing tlie other one beiug obtained. Mr. Wootton seconded. Carried. This concluded the business of the' meeting.