WAIUKU.—VOLUNTEER MEETING. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3559, 12 December 1868, Page 6

WAIUKU.— VOLUNTEER MEETING. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

A meeting of (he settlers was held this evening (Wednesday), in the school-room, to consider on measures necessary for the defence of this district. A. meeting of a more private character had been held ten days previously, at which it wa* resolved to request the Government to extend the Militia Act, so as to embrace the Waiuku district, and put the Act in forcn at once. As ia reply to this re* quest, the Resident Minister, Dr. Pullen, requested Captain D. Lusk to a certain, in the first place, what number of a volunteer foot force could be enrolled at Waiuku— for there is already an efficient cavalry troop in the district. At Captain husk's instance the above meeting was called. The weather was extremely unfavourable, nevertheless when the meeting had got well iuto business thera were about 30 settlers present. Captain Lu-k was called to the chair, and Mr. Wortliiugtou was requested to act as secretary. Tlia CHAIRMAN Btat«d that, a few days after th« receipt of the lamentable intelligence the Resident Minister had requited him to attempt to organise the people in Ins own immediate district, and the result bad teen quite satisfactory, for at Patu* maheh >c and Pukekobe they had responded to the call »s odo man, and he now brought the same mat er before the settlers of Waiuku. lie went on to exhibit the necediity and prudence of being organise! in some form or other, and. pointed out the several special advantages possessed by volunteers overtbt miitia. After some desu'tory remarks from several spankers, Mr. J. Kelehkr proposed? the following resolu* tiou, "That this meeting views with feelings of the deepest regret ami sympathy the deplorable oond tion of the settlers on the south-eastern portions of this province, cans-d by the bloodthirsty turbulence of ths Maori fanatics, aud that, in order to check any <ieure on the part of the Waikato Hauhaus to commit similar atrocities, this meeting pie Iges itself t> immediate combined action in providing for the defence of the district, and the maintenance of law and order." Mr, S. Hedge seconded the resolution, which WM carried by the ayes, against one no. Mr. Caleb Hosetng, in giving his opinion on the respective merits of the volunteer and the miliua , syateui", thought that a more efficient c rpa couM be raised in the district under the militia system, as many might exoune themselves from taking arms if it was ail voluntary. A a interlude of some duration here occucred, duriug which the conduct of those who had not Volunteered and of those who had, during last war, was freely discussed, but, on the raoti >n of Mr. G. Marshall, secoii'led by Me J. Kelbhbr, "That we endeavour fcto form a volunteer orps," a unauimous i')tn wa« given. The Secret try then proceeded to enroll the names of those willing to b« embodied, when about twenty names, exclusive of several honorary subciber* already in tho cava'ry troop, were subscribe.!. Some uniusfement was caused at this >>tage by a settler, who had spoken warmly on the necessity for defence during the evening, exhibiting a great reluctance to sign, but ultimately he walked up to the table and recorded his name. A enmmitte-ee of three was then appointed, to canvass the district for additional volunteers, and report at a meeting to be held in the s«me place on the 16th instant. Mr. J. Hedge then proposed a vote of thanks to Captain Lusk f<>r |hi 3 cenducß in the chtir and the trouble he had taken, which, being seconded by Mr. Caleb B osking, was carried by acclamation, and the meeting separated.