WAIUEU. (FKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 25.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3751, 27 July 1869, Page 6

WAIUEU. (FKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 25.

Throughout the whole of last week the settlers of Waiuku, Waipipi, and Awhitu have been disturbed ia their peaceful pursuita by the drafting of men from the volunteers and militia for acbive service. Upwards of fifty hare been stnt to the Queen's Redoubt. Farming operations are in consequence Buspended. The flax-unlls have been stopped or are working shorfchanded. Among the old settlers whoie residence in the disfcdcfc dates back to the late war in the Waikato there is no panic, but among the immigrant settlers whose dite of residence is siuce that war the oase is different, aud in several instances verged closely towards a pinio. It might bo expected that the drafting and marching off in a few hours 7 notice of so many men from their wives and families would produce a result of that kind. Should the aspect of affairs in the Waikato soon improve, so as to enable the Government to dispense with the services of these men, well and good j but, if not, there will be a necessity of looking to the wives and children until their protectors and bread-winners return. A meeting of the remaining settlers was held in Mr. Constable's hall on Saturday evening, " to afford an opportunity for an expression of opinion on the removal of so many of their fellow-settlers from the district." Such were the terms of the notice calling the meeting. There -were from 50 to 60 men present. Mr. 0. Barriball, sen., acted as chairman, and the following series of resolutions were moved, seconded, aud carried without dissent, and directed to be forwarded to the Hon. Dr. Pollen, the Resident Minister : — Proposed by Mr. A. Campbell and seconded by Mr. G. Marshall, " That this meeting begs to call the attention of the Govornmeni; to the unprotected state of the district consequent upon the removal of so many able-bodied men." Proposed by the Rsv, J.Whewelland seconded by Mr. W. Smith, " That, consequent upon such removal, men having families of four and five children have been obliged to leive them without; any protection or support, and it ia tha opinion of this meeting that, if the emergeucy o£ the case demands the removal o£ these men, there is a necessity for placing ths families in a place of safety, and supporting them." Proposed by Mr. C, T. Buriball, and seconded by Mr. C. H. Green, "That this meeting is of opinion that this district requires its ontire force to keep it secure, being very much exposed to raids by Maoris by way of Lower Waikato, besides having several native settlements within the district." Proposed by the Rev. J. Whewell, and seconded by Mr. T, Cardon, " That the removal of these settlers has { already put a stoppage to farming operations and closed several of the flax mills, which, if continued, will involve a great loss upon the district, and consequent distress and destitution." It is impossible for me to give even an outline of the speeohos made, for" the meetiug laßted nearly three hours ; so I will therefore simply indicate the more prominent views and sentiments j expres&ed. It will be understood that all the male population in Waiuku liable to serve are either volunteers or in the militia ; and it was stated that those who volunteered did bo on the understanding that if; was for the purpose of protecting their homes, and that they would only be called away on occasions of great emergency ; and it seemed incomprehensible why, on the first appearance of distant I danger, they should be drafted aud compelled to leave. Iv reply, it was said that the danger might be much greater and more urgent than was generally known. The authorities were ia possession of the best means of information, and weie no doubt acting j for the best ; and a bold front, shown promptly, might avert the calamity of a general war. Several cases of particular hardship were detailed to the meeting, in which men with families of small children, and their wives precariously ciroumstanced, had been drawn by ballot to go, and go they must, or find substitutes. A very general feeling in the meeting was that, if steps were taken for tue protection and maintenance of the .vonien aud children, the able-bodied men would go cheerfully when the emergencies of the case demanded they should. The Rev. Mr. Whewell in his remarks referred to tho extreme destitution which existed amongst the immigrant population two years ago — greater destitution, he said, than he ever witnessed in England or in the colonies — and though they weie now getting into comfort ible circumstances, and were in full employment, they would, he said, if the proceedings of the past week were continued, soon be plunged into deeper distress than ever. — Several of the speakers believed that the authorities might have been led to believe that the volunteers were auxious to leave their families and go to the Front, and that, injustice to themselves and the Government, it was proper that by an expression from the meeting the Government should be put iv possession of the true state of the case. — At the close of the meeting a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and three cheers for Captain Harris, Lieutenant Mellsop, and Cornet Hamlin. — It has been representtd in the public prints that the draught from Waiuku voluu-. teered their sei vices. The facts are simply these — some 10 or 12 meu did so; the rest were balloted for, and had to go noleus volens.