SONS OF OLD COLONISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1819, 14 December 1875, Page 3

SONS OF OLD COLONISTS.

A i&RGELY attended meeting of Sons cf Old Colonists was held last evening in the Masonic Hotel, and long before the hour of meeting a large gathering of men was noticed outside eagerly waiting for admittance, and after the meeting commenced several old colonists were heard to grumble because they could not gain entrance, being fathers instead of sons. Mr Richard J. Feltns, a son of an old colonist, explained that the object cf the meeting was to consider the propriety of sending a deputation to Sir George Grey, in order to obtain a block of land similar to that granted to tbe settlers of Katiknti, and upon the same terms. Captain Gordon was then voted to the chair, and read a letter from the Thames sympathising with the object of the meeting. Mr Feltus was the first speaker and complained of the injustice suffered by the sons of early settlers while preference was given to recent settlers; he did not care a fig for land himself, and should not fret if he did not get an acre for himself, but he was desirous that justice should be done to others. 9he chairman expressed his sympathy with the wishes of the meeting, and thought that government would in future be very careful in its land grants; he quoted and explained seveial of the provisions of the Auckland Waste Lands Act in reference to the taking up of land, and stated that the superintendent had power to alter, amend, revoke and repeal any regulations he mieht have made for the occupation of such lands. Mr Feltns again spoke, and said if they could not see their condition and the iojnstice of the thing, then Heaven help them. ■Whatever might be the result of this meeting, he, Bichard Feltus, could lay his hand upon his heart with a consciousness of having performed his duty in calling this meeting together. He had only now to move " That a deputation be appointed, consisting of Auckland and Thames representatives to wait upon Sir George Grey, to urge upon him the justice of landing over a block of land to the Sons of Old Colonists re iiling in the colony for a period of ten years or more." Several otaer propositions were made and the following were carried, moved by Joseph Tnrtley seconded by Eobert Bond, "That a residence of twenty-five years constitute an old colonist." Moved by Sir Fleming seconded by Mr Long: "That the sons of old colonists have a jnst claim on the Government for a free grant of land.'? Moved by Mr' Kellsseconded by Mr Wilson, "That a committee be formed to consider the terms upon which the claim snail be based and report there on at a future meeting." A committee was then appointed, consisting of Messrs Grattan, Pace, "Wilson. Fleming, Craig, Clark, Bond, Gordon and Darter Mr Shepherd, having ejplained the terms on which the Katskati settlers held their land, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.