PUBLIC MEETING AT HOWICK. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIII, Issue 899, 8 February 1856, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT HOWICK. (F ROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

A large and most influential meeting of the inhabitants of Howick, was held at the Howick Arms on Monday last, — a meeting which derived donble importance from the immense political knowledge of the greater number of the inhabitants, who, aware that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, have indeed drunk deeply, though not from the Pierian spring. A spectator was involuntarily reminded of the stern Puritans of old, the bible in one hand and the good sword in the other, ready to preach or fight for the cause. Here were their counterparts, the gallant Pensioners, with ammunition boots on their feet and the Constitution Act in their hands, ready to hurroar their last for Whi taker. Some slight weakness of the flesh was visible, but the spirit was strong within them, and the cheers that greeted the arrival of the guests of the evening —Major Greenstick, Mr. Billyboy, Mr. Powwow, and Mr. Brainnone — might have roused the British Lion, if not too much engaged at the Crimea ; and, without doubt, caused the Behemoth to wag his Land Regulation tail. The Oldest Inh \bit\nt, in a neat speech, proposed a much respected resident, pi incipally celebrated as the possessor of the most poweiful fist in the Province, as chairman ; and the meeting unanimously adopted the suggestion. The bu-iiiess of the evening commenced by the Chairman devoting to destruction a paaty called the Brownites, and some other paity whom he sarcastically alluded to as Mr. Nails, and v>tioin he threatened to kick ; and having entreated the greatest indulgence for all who wciC about to address then oa the rght side, he sat down amidst tremendous chears. The Veni.raule^Powwo'v ro»e to address the meeting, holding in his hand theveiy idcnt'cal telescope with which he spies out grievances. [The cheers of the oldest inhabitant.when he got prospect of the glass, were frantic] Mr. Powwow spoke the whole dictionary twice over. He narlated all the stories about nothing m particular and everything in geneial ivhieh he is in the habit of listening to, and pointed out the injustice that Howick had suffered in not having been allowed a corporation, when every Pensioner might have been his own Lord Mayor, his own Resident Magisti ate, and peihaps even Chairman to the Harbour Committee of Howick. lla\ing sat down amidst tremendous applause, Muok ©REENsncK addressed them in his usual vein of humour mixed with argument, which put Spectator in mind of a very old numbet ot Punch. He appealed to his Brothers in arms, poked two good .Too Millers at them, d— d the expense, and concluded with the noble sentiment of "What's the odds so long is you're happy?" (This was i uudouhi-o'ii)' ♦ !•« -r— "'• -'' tU - - — : "» ) Mr. Bin inn one, who was veiy well received, dwelt principally on niihtaiy topics, lie was on guard, and would remain so until pi opcrly relieved. He was always ready for any fatigue party, and h ; s principles were screwed to the sticking point. He drew the attention of the meeting to the necessity for looking after the roads in the interior — a measure which he had pioposed in the first Proviucial Council, and a measuie which, with the help of Mr. Powwow's telescope, he yet hoped to secure. (Great applause.) Mr Billyboy imputed every sin under heaven to the "Finn,' 1 and deeply lamented their want of charity. He quoted himself as a specimen of chhalry, and upheld the advantages of birth. He proved John Wesley's descent fiom Fiont de Boeuf, and having clearly shown that nothing could ever go right until he was Superintendent, sat down amidst great cheering. Twenty gentlemen next addressed the chair, about five at a time, and on fifteen different subjects ; but the proprietor having stated that tea was ready, the meeting adjourned. Yours, &c, Bivorunß Spectator.