NEW PLYMOUTH.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, 25 October 1845, Page 135

NEW PLYMOUTH.

The Cook's Straits Petition to the House of Commons for redress of grievances was received on the 23d September, by the Carbon, from Nelson. It was placed at the Devon Hotel by Mr. Cooke, to whose care it was confided, and lay there several days, so that the settlers had an opportunity of examining its contents. Of this several availed themselves : the petition was read aloud in the presence of a considerable number of persons, and some signatures appended to it. On Monday, the 29th September, a meeting was held at the Devon Hotel (the large room being quite full), to consider the propriety of joining the inhabitants of the other settlements in adopting the petition. -„Mr. Wickstked, J.P., having been called to the chair, gave a concise account of the leading points of the document ; directing particular attention to, and reading portions of, the most striking and important passages. The whole of those relating to New Plymouth, as well as the prayer of the petition, were read at length to the meeting. Mr. Flight, J.P., observing that the petition strongly urged upon Parliament the need of following out the policy towards New Zealand recommended by the Committee of the House of Commons took pains to explain to the meeting the true nature and bearing of that committee's suggestions, reading their resolutions at length; and then he moved the adoption of the petition. Mr. C. Brown briefly seconded the motion' and it was Carried unanimously. Mr. Cooke, J.P., moved, " That the warm thanks of this meeting be voted to Alfred Domett, Esq., of Nelson, the author of the very able, elaborate, and comprehensive petition, just sanctioned by the settlers of Taranaki. Mr. Chilman seconded the motion ; observing that it was highly important to send such a document as the petition to England ; as, although it was probable that a principal grievance complained of would have been remedied before its arrival, by the recal of Captain Fitz Roy, yet it was most desirable to furnish members of Parliament and others with the means of testing the accuracy of Captain Fitzßoy's statements, when that person should be called to account for his proceedings in New Zealand. Motion carried with applause. Mr. Gledhill moved, and Mr. Hanteil seconded, a resolution — " That Lord Ho wick be recommended to tie inhabitants of Wellington, Nelson, and Wanganui, as the most fit and proper person to take charge of the petition, and present it to the House of Commons." Carried unanimously. Thanks were voted to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr. Devenish, seconded by Mr. Davy ; and then there was a general movement to the table for the purpose of signing the petition. Mr. Cooke, who will take it to Nelson, received orders fcr upwards of a 100 printed copies. mm^_ mmmmm^_ m _ m^