ADDRESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY CAPTAIN HOBSON, R.N.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 13, 4 July 1840, Page 2

ADDRESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY CAPTAIN HOBSON, R.N.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of the District of Port Nicholson took place on Wednesday last, July Ist, on the Exchange, for the purpose of agreeing to a loyal and dutiful address, to be presented to His Excellency Captain Hobson, R.N., the Lieut.Governor of New Zealand.

Twelve o'clock was the hour named for the commencement of the proceedings, and shortly after that time there was a numerous attendance of the Colonists.

On the motion of Dr. Samuel Evans, Col. William Wakefield was unanimously voted to the chair.

The gallant Colonel said that he would not detain the meeting by any tedious profession of thanks for the honor they had done him, by calling him to preside on the occasion, but would proceed at once to state the reasons which had led to the convening of the meeting and its objects. They were aware of the peculiar circumstances under which this Colony .had been founded, ami of the fact that a large and influential body of settlers had left England for the purpose of forming a settlement in New Zealand, without the advantage of the countenance and sanction of the Government. They were also aware of the body called together by the signatures of the majority of the Colonists in England, and known as the " Committee," and subsequently, — under the ratification and extension of powers granted to them by the Sovereign Chiefs of the Islands, — as the " Council " of the Colonists. That body had entitled itself to the approbation of the settlers, if they reflected that during the period of five months, without the aid of British authority, the peace and order of the settlement had. been' maintained. In the progress of the duties of the Council, an emergency had occurred, which had been the subject of much discussion ; the case of Capt. Pearson would be in the recollection of all. The Colonists would remember that the Council took pains distinctly to state in their address, that — " Although willing to admit to the fullest extent the power and right of the English Government to exercise Sovereignty within the Islands, whenever it may please the legislature of England to assert that right, yet it appeared "to the Council, that under the recent"«roclamations of the Governor of New South Wales, the English Government had formally disclaimed the existence of any right of Sovereignty in the Crown of England, and had in the amplest manner recognised the independent sovereignty of the native chiefs of the Islands. As that proclamation contains a reference to the acquisition by purchase of the sovereign rights of the Chiefs, the Council believe and hope, that ere long, the authority of the English Crown will be established in this place." That moment had now arrived, and he congratulated the Colonists upon it. A statement had, however, been made, respecting the intentions of the s-ttlers, to His Excellency Captain Hobson, which demanded explanation. One of their own body had asserted that they were prepared to resist the introduction of British law; that an organized force was established here to resist, " even to the knife," — (that, he believed, was the expression made use of,) — the authority of the. British flag. He (Col. Wakefield) did not think that; heshould mis-state their sentiments, if he designated those expressions as a gross misrepresentation of their feelings — (hear, hear.) The gallant Colonel then called their attention to the immediate object of the meeting, viz., the presentation of an address to His Excellency Capt. Hobson, expressive' of the unabated loyalty and attachment' of the inhabitants of Port Nicholson to the British Government. He next referred "to the despatches received the " Brougham," and to the fact, that the Company, ever mindful of the interests of the^ settlers, had sent out a large quantity of provisions, to be sold at reasonable prices, in order that the Colonists might not be driven to pay 'exorbitant rates. He was also instructed to render every assistance in the erection of the Governor's dwelling house, should His Excellency determine to make this the seat of Government. The gallant Colonel then went on to say, that thousands in England were in the most anxious expectation- of news from New Zealand ; and he was satisfied from their possessing so fine a harbour for ships of the largest tonnage, that they* would shortly have an immense influx of emigrants of all classes — from the capitalist to the labourer. In the history of Colonies no instance had occurred of a settlement presenting the favorable appearance Port Nicholson now did — (hear, hear.) They had capitalists willing to expend their capital ; they had an intermediate class engaged in successful trade ; they had native produce and native labour, which had proved most* valuable ; and, finally, they had the labouring class, all in the receipt of good wages — (applause.) "They had surmounted the greatest difficulties, and next winter he hoped to see them all provided with comfortable houses. Little did Mr, Sinclair, when

he' made the assertion that the settlers were hostile to the British Government, .know the meaning of the word "allegiance." He did not know that it was a duty which could not be laid down and taken up at pleasure — (hear, hear.) He (Col. W.) thought that the time had now arrived when they should make a demonstration of their loyalty, — and he urged

it upon them from no fear of shrinking from the responsibility of past acts — neither denying nor retracting any act or word to which he had been a party — (hear, hear,) — and prove that, although whilst left to themselves *-"' they knew how to maintain law and order,

they seized the first opportunity to claim the protection of the Government whose authority they had never disputed, and in whose support they were as ready as ever, notwithstanding what may have been said to the contrary,

to tender their cordial and dutiful services — (hear.) The gallant Colonel then called upon Dr. Evans to read the address, and resumed his seat amidst general applause.

Dr. Evans rose with pleasure to move the adoption of a loyal address, as it would be looked upon with feelings of pleasure in the mother country, and confute any misrepresentation which might have reached home. The learned Dr. then congratulated the Colonists upon the high degree of prosperity which they, had before, them, and said that nothing more was necessary than capital and labour to render the port permanently flourishing. He was satisfied with the harbour ; it was the true geographical centre of the islands, and surrounded by a large agricultural district, and he was sure that the Government must ultimately be brought here, containing as it did by far the greatest European population in the Islands. The Company in England were promoting emigration by every means in their power ; the Colonists were thus armed with the elements of success, and by cordially co-operating .with each other, would obtain that prosperity they so anxiously looked forward to in England. He was sorry means had been taken to deter His Excellency from making this the seat of Government ; and he was certain the individual who had made the attempt, would be severely interrogated, both in public and private, on the subject. He (Dr. Evans) would take this, the first public opportunity he had had, to bear testimony to the admirable manner in which Col. Wakefield had directed the affairs of the Colony ; and although a higher authority had arrived, he was sure they all felt grateful for the protection which he had afforded them. With

respect to the Council, he begged it to be

understood that there had been no flinching on their parts. Perhaps they could have thrown down the gauntlet to Her Majesty's Government ; but they did not seek to gratify their vanity, by raising any legal or constitutional arguments to defend the legality of their proceedings. There were periods in men's lives, when they ought to sacrifice their feelings, and this was one of them. It was impossible 1500 people could live together without some sort of authority being established; and, right or wrong, the Council had protected their persons and property during a period of five months — (hear.) A new era, however, had now arrived ; and he wished it to be" distinctly understood that they, were prepared to uphold the power and authority of the British flag. Dr. Evans conemded by moving the address, which was as follows :—

TO HIS. EXCELLENCY CAPTAIN HOBSON, OF THE ROYAL NAVY," LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE ISLANDS OF NEW. ZEALAND, &C. &C. &C. ' '• '• Port Nicholson July 1, 1840. Sir, — We the undersigned, inhabitants of the district of Port Nicholson, avail ourselves of the opportunity presented by the arrival of the Colonial Secretary with sufficient means for the protection of life and property, to express to your Excellency, those*sentiment3 of respect for yourself and loyalty to the Crown, in which we yield to none other oi Her Majesty's subjects in these islands.

The peculiar circumstances in which we were placed, before the establishment here of British authority, and the false reports which have been made to your. Excellency, and of which wejiave heard with equal surprise and indignation, render it necessary for us to be the more explicit

in our declarations of attachment to : the Crown

-j,and Constitution of England, and to assure Excellency that we took no steps but such' as we thought consistent with our allegiance as British subjects, and justified by the necessity of the case. That such were our real feelings, and that our arrangements for the preservation of order were adopted by us as merely temporary and provisional, is proved by the acclamation with which the British flag was welcomed, as well as by the cordial support which has been rendered by all classes to the Colonial Secretary and the Magistrates, of which they themselves are the most competent witnesses. * We might add, that in planning the purveys of our future Town, we had, as far as possible, anticipated the wants tjfthe Government, and

set apart the most valuable sections of land for the convenience of the public offices, and the personal accommodation of your Excellency; feeling assured as we do, that sooner or later, this must become the seat of Government for these islands.

Should that prove the case, your Excellency may restlissured that you would be welcomed here by the largest body of Her Majesty's subjects in New Zealand, unanimous in their loyalty, and desirous of promoting by every means in their power, the comfort of your private life, as well as the authority and dignity of your public administrations. We have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obdt. humble servants, &c. &c. &c. F. A. Molesworth, Esq., briefly seconded the adoption of the address.

Col. Wakefield then put the question, when the- affirmative was carried unanimously.

Samuel Revans, Esq., moved that Colonel Wakefield be respectfully invited to convey the address in person to His Excellency, at the Bay of Islands. — Carried unanimously.

George Hunter, Esq., moved the cordial thanks of the i»eeting to Col. Wakefield, for his impartial conduct in- the chair ; and also for the care and vigilance, — he might almost say, sleepless vigilance, — which he had displayed during the period he presided over the affairs of the Colony, previous to the establishment of the British authority.

H. St. Hill, Esq., cordially concurred in the motion, and felt great pleasure in seconding it.

Mr. Hunter's motion was carried by acclamation.

Col. Wakefield felt great pleasure in receiving their thanks, and whether now or hereafter, he could assure them his poor services would always be at their command, — whether as a fellow settler or as agent to the Company, — and lie felt highly gratified that by any acts of his, he had succeeded in obtaining the approbation of the Colonists. It was true that two or three discontented individuals had left the Colony ; but it was more from being uncomfortable in private circumstances (hear) than from any fault in the Colony. Their loss, however, if it were proper to call it so, had been more than counter-balanced by the accession of capitalists from neighbouring Colonies. All these had proved themselves very spirited individuals ; but there was one gentleman he felt bound more particularly to allude to — he meant Mr. Watt — (applause.) That gentleman was second to none in public spirit ; and by turning his attention, as he had done, to the future well being of the Colony, merited the thanks of the whole community — (applause.) The gallant colonel said it would be some satisfaction to the Colonists to know that they had amongst them a gentleman from New South Wales, an eminent naturalist, who had been through the" whole of New Zealand, and that he could with truth affirm that Port Nicholson was the only^place for a Colony to take root in from England. The harbour and site was immeasurably superior to the Bay of Islands or the River Thames ; and he was prepared to support his opinion, by making large purcliases of land. Whichever way he looked, he could foresee that brilliant prospects were Before them ; and that they would shortly have a great increase of population not only from England, but from the surrounding Colonies. The gallant Colonel reiterated his thanks, and the meeting broke up.