PUBLIC MEETING

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 20, 22 August 1840, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING

TO RECEIVE .THE ANSAVER TO THE ADDRESS.

In conformity with a public notice to that effect, a meeting of the settlers at Port Nicholson was held on Wednesday, the 1 9th August, at 12 o'clock, in the large room at Mr. Barrett's hotel, to receive the. reply of Captain Hobson to,- the address voted by the inhabitants of Port Nicholson.

The chair was taken by Dr. .Evans, aud the replies of the Lieutenant-Governor to the address of the colonists, and to the offers of assistance from Colonel Wakefield^ as agent of the Company, were read. Col. Wakefield then stated the results of his mission ; that he had been received by the Governor in the most courteous manner ; and that he was assured that the feelings of Captain Hobson to the settlers in this port, under the auspices of the Company, were of the most friendly nature. This assurance and conviction of the sympathy of Captain Hobson for the respectable community in Poxt Nicholson were founded on the knowledge which His. Excellency's coudescension in. admitting Colonel Wakefield to his acquaintance, had enabled him to obtain of his kindness of heart and nature — his love^ of justice— and the highminded, straightforward conduct which characterised his profession. Col. Wakeneld then read the following answers to the address and. to the offers of support from the Company and settlers : — To William Wakefield, Esq., fee. &c. &c. Government House, Russell, August 1, 1840. , Sir, — I acknowledge with much satisfaction the address which you were deputed to present to me by the Inhabitants of the District of Port Nicholson, and I have to express my extreme gratification at receiving from them so very explicit a declaration of loyalty and attachment to the Crown and Constitution of England; at the same time allow me lo convey my sincere thanks for the flattering sentiments of respect and consideration with which they have been pleased to honor mo, as the representative of her most gracious Majesty. It has been a source of infinite gratification to me to learn through the reports of the Colonial Secretary and Magistrates, the cordial supr port which has been rendered by all classes to the Government authorities at Port Nicholson, and I feel satisfied that the interests and prosperity of the Colony will be best consulted by a continued perseverance in that line of conduct. In .conclusion, I beg toconvey my thanks to yourself individually for the very kind and flattering manner with which you have been pleased to present the address, and to express my earnest hopes that under the protection of Divine Providence, the resources of these valuable and important Islands may be speedily developed.' I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, .... (Signed) W. HOBSON, Lieut-Governor.

To William Wakeneld, Esq., &c. &c. &c.

Government House, Russell, Bay of Islands, August 4, 1840. Sir, — As the official agent of the New Zealand Association, I beg you will convey to that body my sense of obligation for the loyal- arid spirited manner in which they have tendered their support and assistance to enable me to carry into effect the measures of Her Majesty's Government. I have als.o to request you will communicate to them my acknowledgments of the kind and considerate disposition they have evinced in the arrangements proposed for my personal comfort and accommodation. In declining the offer, I can assure the Association mid the settlers generally that I am not insensible to the great sacrifice I make of my own ease ; but it is a sacrifice which I feel ,{s due to the public service, from a conviction of the advantages of fixing ' the seat of Govern r ment in a more centrical position, and one better adapted for internal communication. Although it is consequently out of my power to reside amongst the settlers at Port Nicholsonjs* their welfare and prosperity will not less be a*» object of my warmest solicitude and interest; and the opportunity you have been good enough to afford me of making your acquaintance, and from which I have derived much satisfaction, will I trust be the means of promoting my views. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) W. HOBSON, Lieut-Governor. H. St. Hill, Esq., then moved the following resolution, which was seconded b"y Capt.

Daniell, and carried unanimously : — That this meeting receive with great .pleasure the reply of the Lieutenant-Governor to the address voted by the settlers at Port Nicholson, and that the thanks of the meeting are due to Col. Wakefield for the .ability and energy he has manifested in advocating the interests of

the settlement.

After this resolution had been carried, it ' was niov,ed that Col. Wakefield should take Cthe... chair, in order that the settlers might /express their views of the position which they • occupied, and the proceedings to be adopted in consequence. A series of resolutions, (.which will be found in another column, were then passed, and a deputation was. appointed t6 present to- Sir George Gipps a memorial founded upon those resolutions. It was then resolved that a requisition should be drawn iip, and signed by the colonists, desiring Mr. E. G. Wakefield to act as agent for the Colony; and after a vote of thanks to the the meeting adjourned.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Port " Nicholson, held at Britannia, on Wednesday, ..the 19th inst., William Wakefield, Esq., in

the chair, it was moved "by Mr. Hanson, ' seconded by Mr. White, and unanimously

Resolved,

" That the territories purchased by the New 1 Zealand Company in New Zealand were acquired in perfect conformity with an established ' practicej recognized at least upon, one occa- . si on by the Government of' Great Britain, and ■ sanctioncd'by the example of the representative of that Government in New Zealand.

" That the British Government, by admitting the independent sovereignty of the native • chiefs of these islands, and by appointing • Captain Hobson as Consul, expressly ac- " credited to treat with such chiefs for tha cession of their sovereign rights, has a fotiori their title to dispose of their land.

" That according to the principles of the English law, solemnly affirmed in the highest court pf judicature in England, it is clear that .jn any colony acquired by cession, the laws of •the ceded country remain in force until changed by an Act of the Imperial Legislature, or by 'the King in Council, and that all rights to property are sacred and inviolable ; and that the property of the Company to the lands 'they claim in New Zealand, and have sold to _the landowners of this place, was duly acquired according to the established law in New Zealand before it became a possession of the

English Crown, and are therefore sacred from "all interference. "That by the Bill for the settlement of titles

•to land in New Zealand, now in progress

through the Legislative Council of New South TVales, it is proposed to destroy all titles to ]and in New Zealand, however just in themselves, or whatever might be the length of time for which they have existed. " That for the reasons stated in the pre-

ceding resolutions, this meeting is of opinion that such Bill, if passed, would be repugnant ,to the spirit of the English Constitution, and .contrary to the express letter of the English ]aw. . " That even if such were not the case, the position of the New Zealand Company and of those who have purchased land from them, is altogether different from that of other owners pf land in New Zealand, because that Com-

pany have expended in respect of land sold by them for the purposes of emigration, a

sum of 15s. per acre, being 3s. per acre more Jhan the upset price of public lands in these Islands. " That the settlers in this port, and other purchasers of land from the New Zealand Company, have therefore a claim to be exempted from the operation of the Bill for the settlement of titles .in Mew "Zealand, and to be confirmed in the possession of the land they have acquired. " That this meeting take the present opportunity of expressing their sense of the just and honorable conduct of the New Zealand Company in all their transactions with regard fo the purchase, sale, and settlement of land in New Zealand ; and that in the event of any such proceedings being adopted by the Government oi' ISew South Wales as may deprive the Company and the settlers of the kind they have purchased, this meeting fully rely upon the Company to take measures for. giving „to the colonists, either here or elsewhere, 4 the extent of land which they have professed to sell, arid pledge themselves to support and aid the Agent of the Company in any steps he may find expedient for that purpose. ' " That this meeting considering the great and almost unprecedented value which has "been conferred upon the land in Port Nicholson, by the establishment in this spot of a numerous, united, and influential body 'of settlers, feel that under all circumstances that body .possess the power of conferring equal value upon any land whereon they may establish themselves, and that they therefore .especially recommend the maintenance of ,'tfnion amopg the capitalists, and the adoption of suchimeasiires as may "keep the labouring 1 population prosperoxis and contented."

It was then movjud by Hunter, seconded by Capt. Smith, R.A., and unanimously

- Resolved, , t .s.. s . „ " That a Memorial founded upon the foregoing resolutions be prepared, .and presented to .the Governor, of NewJSouth "^ales ; ,and thatl)r. Evans and R. D. Hanson and'H. Moreing, Esqrs., do form a deputation to; present the same." *•

It was then moved by Dr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Molesworth, and unanimously

Resolved,

" That, for Jhe purpose of securing an authorized represenljative in England, qualified to urge upon, the .Government the claims of the settlers in this, port to the lands they have purchased, as well as to t advocate their general interests, this meeting do recommend the appointment of Mr. E. G. Wakefield. as agent for the body of colonists, and desire that a requisition to that effect be prepared and signed by the colonists."