PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 313, 6 January 1844, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

The meeting called by advertisement, in the name of the Committee appointed by the public meeting held on the 6th December, took place on Thusday last, in the Exchange, Te Aro.

It was moved by Dr, Evans, seconded by Mr. Revans, and carried unanimously, that Mr. Guy ton do take Chair.

Dr. Evans then moved, seconded by Mr. Holroyd, that the following report of the Committee be received :—": — " That your Committee is of opinion that a short congratulatory address be presented to Captain Fitzroy on his arrival^ and at the same time he be asked to receive a deputation of the colonists with a Memorial, stating the principal grievances from which they are suffering."

Dr. Evans spoke at great length, and with his usual ability, in support of the adoption of the report.

Mr. Revans opposed the reception of the report, on the ground that the Committee had not the powers which the report assumed it to possess.

In support of his position he submitted the proceedings which had taken place in the Committee —

Proposed by Dr. Evans, and carried — " That Messrs. R. D. Hanson and T. M. Partridge be added to the Committee."

After a lengthened discussion, and during theabsence of Mr. Hort, the following resolution was submitted by Mr. Holroyd and seconded by Mr. Clifford :—: —

" That this Committee is of opinion that a short congratulatory address be presented to Captain Fitzroy on his airival, and at the same time he be asked to receive a deputation of the colonists with a Memorial, stating the principal grivances from which they are suffering."

Moved in amendment by Mr. Lyon, seconded by Mr. Scott —

" That in the place of the letter a the word the be placed before the word Memorial."

For the amendment Messrs. Lyon, Scott, Penny, Stokes, Petre, and Revans.

Against it.Dr. Evans, Messrs. Holroyd, Hart, Smitif Clifford, Hanson, and Partridge. The amendment was lost by one vote. The motion was put and carried. Messrs. Lyon, Scott, Penny, Stokes, and Revans then retired."

Mr. Revans concluded by submitting the following amendment : —

" That the report now submitted cannot be received by this meeting as the report of the Committee appointed to present the Memorial to Captain Fitzroy." Mr. Stokes supported the amendment.

He begged the meeting to regard the difference between the resolution and the amendment. AH the Committee agreed in the propriety of a congratulatory address. The point upon which the division arose was whether the Committee ought or ought not to be faithful in the discharge of the trust reposed in them. The majority of the Committee present sought to assume powers, and it was not until the minority retired that the majority determined to call the present meeting. It was on this ground that he considered that the report could not be called the production of the Committee, but must be regarded as emanating from private individuals. Messrs. Hart, Smith, aud Holroyd, spoke in support of the adoption of the report ; and Messrs. May, Roots, Hort, and Scott, in favour of the amendment. Mr. Wade supported the amendment. He thought the minority right in the course they pursued, but under the circumstances thought the Committee had better be dissolved. In conclusion he submitted the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Hort and carried — " That the present Committee be dissolved and a new Committee formed, to take into .consideration the contemplated address and memorial, and to submit the same to a Public Meeting on Monday next." The following Committee was then appointed — Mr. Stokes, — Holroyd, — Dorset, — Wade, — Hort, sen. — Clifford, — Mocatta, — Rowland Davis, — Guyton, — Bethune, — Waitt, — W. A. Cooper, — Scott, — Hart, — Featherston, Major Baker, Mr. John Johnson, — May. — E. Johnson. Mr. Holroyd then submitted the draft of an Address, which was referred to the Committee. The thanks of the Meeting having been voted to Mr. Guyton for his conduct in the chair, the Meeting dissolved.