CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 274, 17 June 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting of those interested in the establishment of another church in Charleston, was held in Jolliffe's Hotel on Monday night. Mr "Warden Lightband occupied the chair and introduced the Bishop of Nelson. After a short prayer, His Lordship said it afforded him great pleasure to be there that evening, having found both Charleston and it's inhabitants improved on acquaintance. When last there in October, it did not appear that any arrangements could be made for establishing another place of worship, in addition to the two then existing, but since that time a turn seemed to have taken place, and he had reason to believe there were many who desired to see another church erected in Charleston. He spoke not only of townspeople but of persons in the outlying district, and not merely members of the Church of England but of different persuasions, who would gladly welcome an opportunity of attending the church, and receiving the ministrations of a minister of the gospel. After briefly describing the purpose of his present tour of inspection, and the route he had taken through the diocese his Lordship explained that Mr Harvey had been unable to visit Charleston oftener on account of having so much to attend to in Westport. He proceeded to observe that it was a common complaint that religion now-a-days was a matter confined to Sundays only, and that it was very necessary by every means in our power, to render the complaint a groundless one. He had great faith in the movement about to bo initiated. There were two things required, a place of worship and a residence for the clergyman. If asked for his opinion he would say have both, but if that could not be all at once accomplished, the residence should be the first object. It was of the greatest consequence that the minister should be resident in the place in order that he might labor, not only on Sunday, but throughout the week in the outside districts, therefore he hoped the resolution to be put to the meeting would include the erection of a parsonage as well as a church. He could not at the moment tell them whom he would appoint to the district, but had little doubt but that some arrangements could be made whereby the duty would be efficiently performed. He would very much like himself to come and spend a month or two in the locality, and might perhaps be able to do so; at any rate they could rest assured he would do all in his power to secure to them proper spiritual administration. After explaining the constitution of the church relating to the formation of a Synod, his Lordship went on to say he hoped the laity of the West Coast would be well represented at the next sittings of the Synod. They could not pay such representatives, as did the Provincial Council its members, but the representatives would find the people of Nelson not the least hospitable in the world. He concluded by expressing some favorable remarks about the Rev. Mr White, and his sense of his kindness and that of the Church Committee, in not only giving up the use of the church on Sunday evening, but tendering the whole of the collection made on that occasion towards the building fund of the new church. The following resolutions were then put to the meeting, and unanimously carried :

" That the inhabitants of this district deem it advisable to take immediate steps for the erection of a place of worship in connection with the Church of England in Charleston." Moved by Mr Gasqoine, and seconded by Mr M'Coy.

" That a Committee be appointed for the purpose of securing a site, canvassing for subscriptions, and erecting a suitable Church and Parsonage," Moved by Mr Kennedy, and seconded by Mr A* B. Bain.

Mr Neale moved the third resolution:—"That such Committee shall consist of the following gentlemen with power to add to their number—Messrs C. Broad, E.M., G-. W. Lightband, J.P., Gasqoine. M'Coy, Kennedy, A. B. Bain, and Pullen; and six miners to be chosen by this meeting." Mr B. P. Bain, in seconding the resolution, pointed out that Mr Neale had omitted some of the names that had been set down.

Mr Neale replied that he had done so purposely, being in favor of a working committee rather than having one composed of a large number of names. Mr Broad suggested that the Committee should be empowered to appoint sub-committees on the various diggings, and being of opinion that too many persons could not be got to act on a committee of this kind, he moved, as an amendment to Mr Neale's motion, that the resolution as originally written should stand, thus adding the names of the following gentlemen to the list:—Messrs E. G. Neale, E. P. Bain, Bowman, E. M'Owen, H. Jones, and H. Mace. On the amendment being put to the meeting, it was declared carried. The following miners were then named to be added to the committee : Messrs J. Muir, Joshua Greenwood, Charles Jenkins, James Connolly, W. Fox, and Eichard Steele.

The next resolution, to the following effect, was proposed hy Mr Broad, seconded by Mr P. Allen, and carried: —" That a subscription list be immediately opened." This was accordingly done, and resulted in the amount of £9l 18s being subscribed, which, considering there were only about 40 persons in the room, was very satisfactory. Mr Connolly apologised on behalf of the miners for their scanty attendance, no intimation of the meeting having been advertised. The Bishop explained the hurried nature of the meeting was unavoidable under the circumstances. He congratulated the meeting on so favorable an initiation of the movement. A vote of thanks to his Lordship and to the Chairman concluded the proceedings. It was announced that the committee would hold their first meeting on Tuesday evening, at 8 o'clock, a* the Melbourne Hotel.