REMOVAL OF THE MOUNTED CONSTABULARY FORCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 977, 12 September 1868, Page 3

REMOVAL OF THE MOUNTED CONSTABULARY FORCE.

PUBLIC MEETING-.

The telegram received on Thursday, giving Major Fraser and his force of Armed Constabulary the route for Patea, was heard of with much astonishment, . not unmingled with incredulity, for it could scarcely be believed that, at so exceedingly critical a period as the present, the General Government would withdraw from the district the chief source of protection to its out-settlers. Such, however, proving to be the fact, an impromptu public meeting was called by means of the bellman ; and, upon a notice not exceeding three-quarters of an hour, the Council Chamber was densely filled with townspeople and others, all anxious to join in an earnest protest against the removal of the local forces at the present time.

On the motion of Mr. Kinross, seconded by Mr. Cuff, the chair was taken by Mr. Kennedy.

The Chairman said that the meeting had been convened for the purpose of expressing the indignation felt by the inhabitants of Napier at the action of the General Government in ordering the removal for service at Patea of the small defence force stationed in Hawke's Bay— a step which, in the event of any native outbreak here, would leave outlying settlers entirely unprotected. It appeared, from a telegram received, that the Sturt had already left Wellington for the purpose of removing this force ; and he did not think the people of Hawke's Bay would be doing their duty if they did not express strong disapproval of the course taken in this matter by the General Government.

Mr. T. K. Newton then moved the first resolution, as follows :—

That this meeting desires to express a feeling of much surprise and dissatisfaction at the intelligence recently received from the General Government of their intention forthwith to remove from the province Major Eraser's troop of Mounted Constabulary — at a time when the outlying district of Te Wairoa is without protection in a time of great need.

— In moving this resolution he said that, exposed as parts of this province were, to the inroads of a dangerous foe — a state of things mainly brought about by the laches of the Government — there was something very surprising indeed in the course taken by it, that of removing the only local force stationed in the province. He feared it would now be too late for the decision arrived at by this meeting to have any effect, seeing that the Sturt had already left Wellington ; but the public should not the less express the astonishment and indignation felt at the treatment they were experiencing at the hands of the authorities.

The motion was seconded, and carried unanimously.

The next resolution was moved by Mr. CufF, and was as follows : —

That a telegram be at once transmitted by the chairman of this meeting to His Honor D. M'Lean, Esq., containing the first resolution, and urgently but respectfully praying the General Government to reconsider their determination to remove the detachment of Constabulary under Major Fraser, and requesting that the same be allowed to remain for the protection of the province.

— In moving this resolution, he said he would rather that the duty had devolved upon some one longer resident in Napier, but he felt that the emergency was one which required promptitude of action more than speaking. He said that, under all the circumstances, it was essentially necessary for the safety of the outlying districts of this province that the Constabulary force should remain, and he could not help expressing the indignation he felt at the course taken by the Government in ordering their removal at such a time.

The resolution, having been seconded, was carried unanimously.

Mr. Grindell here said that one of the influential chiefs of the province would like to address the meeting.

Te Hapuku then came forward and said that, in the present position of native affairs, he thought it most inadvisable to remove Major Fraser and his force. Natives from Taupo or the Urewera country might come down upon us at any moment. Wanganui, Patea, Wairarapa, Otaki, Rangitikei, and Wellington, he said, had plenty of defenders ; but Napier had few, and of those few, a portion was now being taken away. It was true that the exigencies of war might speedily compel the Government to send them back again, but then it might be too late. We might all, by that time, be killed in battle, and our women and children murdered.

Mr. G. B. Worgan quite concurred in the feeling of indignation expressed at the conduct of the Government. At the same time, they might just as well send the force to Patea as retain it in Napier, where it was not wanted. But the force was urgently wanted at Wairoa, which was but thinly populated, and the residents without arms, ammunition, or any means to make a stand against an enemy known to' be in their immediate neighborhood. He considered the action taken by the Government to be highly censurable ; the most serious consequences might yet result from it.

The Chairman said that he quite concurred in the opinions expressed by Mr. Worgan. The force was undoubtedly wanted at the Wairoa more than in Napier or its vicinity.

The Chairman then read the following telegram, just received from His Honor the Superintendent : — ■

Wellington, Thursday, 3«15 p.m

Capt. Kennedy, Napier —

Inform the public at the meeting that Mr. Ormond and I did our utmost to prevent the removal of Major Fraser and his force. We formally protested against it as likely to lead to serious consequences. Ministers, however, persisted in sending for them, and the Sturt has gone from here to embark the force. The public of Hawke's Bay have good ground for complaint. (Signed) Donald M'Lean.

It was next moved by Mr. Sutton, seconded by Mr. Kinross, and carried unanimously: —

That this meeting desires to record its thanks to the members for the district in the General Assembly for having, in the present unsettled state of the province, protested against the removal of the Armed Constabulary force.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. The meeting, although called at what may be termed a moment's notice, was very numerously and respectably attended, and was actuated

throughout by one feeling in the matter under discussion.

Later in the evening the following telegram was received : —

■Wellington, Thursday, Oapt. Kennedy, Napier. 7.30 p.m.

I have received proceedings of public meeting, and will at once submit them, as requested, to the General Government, with a request that they will re-consider what has been done respecting the removal of Major Fraser and the force under his command. The action taken by the Government in this matter is much deprecated by the Hawke's Bay members.

(Signed) • Donald M'Lban.