MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED AT ONEHUNGA. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3123, 20 July 1867, Page 4

MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED AT ONEHUNGA. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

A public meeting of the unemployed of this town vit held at the Court-house Hotel on Thursday evening last ; there being over 100 persons preient. Mr. HliiTNETT took the chair, and rend the »d* vertisement convening the meeting. Mr. Gallaugheb proposed that a petition be drawn up, and a deputation appointed from the meeting, to wait on his Honor the Superintendent j the deputation to consist of Messrs. Colledge, Lavery, and Gallaugher. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sheld, jnn., and carried. Mr. Mason said that he had come from Auckland that night on purpose to attend the meeting, and if the company would give him permission to speak, he would put them on. the right road. (Permission having been given) Mr. Mason said he did not approve of sending a petition to his Honor — although the Government would no doubt do all in their power to relieve them. He thought the best thing they oould do, and at the name time be their own marten, was to commence flax-dressing. He felt sure that every man, who would go to work with a will, would make at least five shillings per day. Mr. Cochrane had offered him £20 per ton for dreated flax, and would advance money enough to start with. The only thing they wanted was the haokle, and the price of these necessaries was from fifty shillings upwards. Mr. Gallaugher said the remarks of the last speaker had not convinced him as to the unadvisabilifcy of sending a petition to his Honor the Superintendent, Mr. Brown stated that he had been working: tor the Government for some time past, and could not make more than 2s. per day, so he advised them to work on their own account. He did not lee why the petition should not be sent in. Mr. Ratas proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Maaon and Mr. Brown for their attendance and kind suggestions, and which was seconded by Mr. Foy, and carried. A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman and the Press, which terminated the meeting.