PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 355, 31 December 1864, Page 7

PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF AUCKLAND.

On tlie Dili hist , 111 pursuance of n rciiubilion transmitted to Ills 1 Inuiir tlie Suiieriiitciulciit tiy many of the leadhiK merchants ar.il niliiiliitumsot Aiu-khu.it, 11 public meeting or the citizens w;is lie il lor the |iui |i<wc of mlopt tic measures called for bv the present ci-i.ms in the public affiiirs In the colonv. 1 lie ineetiiiK liml been convened for 12 o'clock, bnt owinc to Hie uncertain i-hnructcr of t"ie weather, and an exceedingly heu\ v shower occurring just at that hour, the committee,"in whose charge the arrangements were, thought it desirable to postpone the meeting for two hoars. The weather fortunately became tine, and great numbers of people from nil inmrtcrs of the city and suburbs directed their steps towards (Jitccustrcet, when*, immediately in iront < f the old Supreme Court, a hustings hud been erected.

1 he shops of the storekeepers and the counting-houses of the principal merchants were closed. The trade of the eitv was virtually stopped. Conspicuous amongst a large crowd who ha«t assembled in front of the hustings for a considerable period before the proceedings commenced was a nuuihcr of come twenty natives, who, as it turned out, took a not unimportant part in the ilcmonstration, being the principal chiefs of .some of tlie mo>l influential Northern tribes.

At-o cluck piTCi>cJy his l'onor the Superintendent, :u compimicd by the committee appointed l»y who signed the requisition, appeared on tlie platform, and was very warmly r«'roived. A compact mass of people hud been by this time assembled in front ot*the hustings, which we computed sit about L\mio soul*, but tl>e windows of the opposite Mores were occupied by people, nud the ve;andahs in front both sheltered and sustained considerable numbers who dreaded the weather, or "ere indisposed to enter the crowd. The proceeding were throughout orderly, nml the individuals composing the crowd manitVsted the greatest interest in the proceedings. His Honor opened the proceedings l.v reading tho requisition calling for the meeting, and tii.s own reply convening it, and said: I dare say, follow colonists, you arc aware of the reason >vhy this meeting was postponed from noun, the hour it should have been held, to this hour. The unpropitious Mate of the weather influenced them in coming to that decision, and their decision was apparently a wbe one. for I am happv ti> see so large and so re>j ectable an audience asjcmhlcil on this occasion. We. are met here for a vei y important purpose, ami at a time when it is the duty of every nian to takehis stand and bis place, to protect himself agaimt the infringement of our rights. 1 will not detain you with more than a few remarks—mure par. ticularly tor the information of those who have recently arrived in the colony, and who may not be aware of the circumstances that have brought about the present situation of affairs. In the year 18M), while the House of Assembly was ill Auckland, the members of the .Middle Island came up to this city, and expressed their wishes in their places iu the Assembly, that we should prosecute the war vigorously. Up to that time we had lived on term*—l may say the best of terms with the natives, although unfortunately tile Tarattakl misunderstanding had taken place, and thev had forced us to adopt incisures that we protested against. At that tinie there was no compact for taking nwa* the seat of (iovernment : and the Wellington members joined with the Auckland members, and protested

rguinst the course of the members from the. Middle Island. In that Assembly Dr. l*eather>toncsaid 41 I know veil the manner in which war affects them ; general war will be utter ruin to the settlers. The Middle island will ft nd that they jzaiu a deeper interest in the war than they at pre cut anticipate. It will cripple their resources, and interfere with this scheme utterly.Why has L)r. Eeatherstone changed that feeling? Simply because he has got the seat of Government, and he can join with the Middle Island members to semi awav the troops. For ourscives,'l say that we have always wanted and desired to live in peace and harmony with the native race. When we went from here to Wellington the session before last, wc went with a distinct understanding, in conformity with the wish we now express, that Jill matters affecting the native race should rest on the Imperial Government. When, however, the Duke of Newcastle placed responsibility in native affairs upon the shoulders of the settlers of this eoUmy. we accepted it in its integrity, ar.d were prepared to do what we were called upon by the Imperial Government. If the. Imperial Government bad dcclhu'd to interfere, this mutter, [ doubt not, \wmbl have been long since settled nj.ou a satisfactory basis. Now, however, that the Imperial Government has'interfered, I think the colonists are justified — I mean particular those, of this province—ill telling the Imperial Government, " You must setlle the attair in your own way." We are accused by the same party, whose conduit we come here to protest against, that we are placing ourselves under a despotic Government. I say wc are not placing ourselves undera despotic Government; and that it is only in relation to unlive affairs, that we ask the control of the Imperial Government. My mind has never changed as to the manner in whit h the natives should have been governed, and the. ontrol should never have been taken out of the hands ol* the Home authorities. Tiie 31 j nistiy, of which Mr. Weld is the head, have decided to remove the seat of Government, and to fend away the troops from the colony, without selling up any machinery, or makinp any provision for native affair-. 1 protest against such a proeecding"as that, and in order to prevent it, we have no alternative than to unite together, and ask for separation from the South. 1 shall make no further remarks, hut leave the resolutions which are to be Mibmittcd to the meeting in the hands of the gentlemen who tire about to Sj eak to them, I trrst that the members of this meeting will conduct themselves in the same orderly manner a* they have always done on previous occasions of this kind. Mr Thomas 3UcFauLANE proposed the first resolution, as follows :—" That this meeting takes tins oecassion of expressing its lovalty alul devotion to the Grown, its dct p gratitude for the generous assistance rendered by the mother count rv to this Colony, and its cordial appreciation of the gallant sen ices performed bv her Majestv'c land andinival lore s in New Zealand;" he s ii'd, Wii are met here to-day in circumstances which are unparellcled in the history of this Colony, i he General Assembly has passed resolutions which virtually ignore the existence of Auckland as an integral part of this colony of New Zealand ; and we are now met to eotisi ier what we shall do m the circumstances in which we find ourselves- Hitherto the various sections of the colony have worked harmoniously together bur now tlios'i who have assumed tho direction ot affairs/having got the ship into dauber, and whilst best bv the breakers having selected a new captain, leaving one third of t'te crew unon an unfriendly shore, t J find their way a* best they can.* They have taken away tne ship to a place which affords a safer and a seeurcr haven. were willing to have sailed with them a little longer, but they have eabt us otf. They nave said that all South ot Auckland shall be one colonv, ami that Auckland proper shall be leit out. (cries of never, "never, never.) Gentlemen, we except the alternative. (Hear, Hear.) Wc are prepared and ready to separate from them, and I think the time will yet coine # when they will ask to be restored, and again form an united colony. The gentlemen of tho South appear to have adopted tins course of proceeding ndvbedly. i hey seem to hive carefully considered it. they have done so after having been luu> warned of the consequences that were likely lo ensue. 1 must say here that our representatives have done their dutj nobly and well. They have pointed out the disastrous con>equences mat must- result from that proceeding, and Mr. otaford, though not a member for Auckland, yet. characterised as he is by far-seeing wisdom, has added the Wt ightoUus great authority to our repreoentatives. lie has tola them that they were doing a wrong which they could Jcel for years to come, (loud chccrsj Well, our request has been unheeded and our warnings disregarded. We are now torccd into a position where we must decide whether the native alhurtol the colony shall be transfered to men from the South, who h.ive always manifested so much ignorance respecting them atul so liltle interest in the white man, that they have resolved to withdraw its Executive from the scene wheroitwas most wanted; towithd aw t ose posts which we have erected with so much blood, and wealth, and treasure, and leave us to the tender mercies of the savag *. They taunt us with a desire to return to despotism. I sav let it be despotism in their sense of the word, Thv sav that in placing ourselves muter the sway of Sir George Grey—(A voice : He ought to go home in the Ida Zeigler.'j—we a.ie putting ourselves m the charge ofa despot. I do not sayth-t Sir George Grey is a despot or that we would be placing ourselves in a despotism by subt mitting to his authority —certainly not by placing our nam c affairs in his hands* I mention this tor the purpose of giving an answer to the accusation. 1 hate depotism in every form ana every shape but if I um fo'ccd into the alternative, whether l shall have one tyrant or thirty-five—(Loud cheers, which interrupted the speaker for some seconds) —then 1 shall choose thetbnner. (Cheers.) Despots arc not always tyrants; they are sometunes'just, sometimes genera us, somctiuu-s brave, ; out a comb natsou of tyrants is never either one or the ° l v cr - } will therefore direct your attehtion to the resolution wineii ills been j laced in mv hands. It recites that tlie meeting taking occasion of expres ing its loyal devotion t- the Crown, its deep gratitude for the generous assistance attoruca to the colony, and its cordial appreciation of the services retidcied >y her .Majesty's land and naval forces i» >'cw Zealand. (Lou cheers.) Devotion to Queen and country is « rmeiple engraven in the heart of every liriton ; it is a principle which lequires a great amount of misgoveriuuent to impair but the benignant sway which the Queen exercises over her subjects, aim tho interest she barf ever taken in their welfare hasev<r een such as to endear her to the lu arts of all her people throughout the universe. The r with which she sent u> in the h in- of need not only ample suplifs oftrtops, but also a General capable of leading thjso troops t\> viotory (cheers), is such as to convince us that, the Home Government is with us. that tho Queen is with us, and that if they are led into error with regard to otu* aifidrs, it is because they have tuner ueen

lv nSS , °,V ly informed, orperhnps erroneous1° '".• r , ea ' I >0! " tl,ln ofu(fairs. (Ilcar, hear.) AW i',M " tn l° st '«>n<idcnoc tlu.t tlie whole (rath will ro | lome ; olr.ll!,' -f standl by this colony ih every circumstance and i T asklr 'L'.v"u to vole a cor<]i.,i thanks to 'J™*' "J 1 * 1 P a P'- 1 . msl ' further in say tlmt the Queen, en- ' S as she i 3 to us, is amongst us in the person of hrr reprosuit.itne however we inr.y differ from Sir GiwceUnvin his acts lie is entitled to our «4«l. I « 1° flatter Sir George Grey, or any j ..us,,. to < " x l"' efS " n if'inppndcnt opinion en an m* nd metres, 1 take tho liberty to Wrr fw',, hhn\>l,cn lil !.«, umn?. J*ut T hope I shall be ahv. r s able to do so 111 a lnval spirit. Xow tha* lias resided In re si, ]on c we ho Ins i'n"'i I "i e 7 cl,rsc " th , ls 11,u , c0 " s his P'-' r » ; '»pnt abode : he lias ill I.is hands powers liy which ho can lie of osscntfci benefit ious; and I say It is our duty to place the. charge < I the colony into the hands if Sir George Grey rather than in the hnndsof an oligarchy from tlie .South. (Cheers.) With ryrari to General Cameron. [ need not sav th.<t lie is wothv ?' °!f TO » fi !'e"W s.aml that had it been left to il, e unfettered Imtr 4 f , s °' vvn J ,ul KS ,, . ,cnt - WP bad not now been stand heic t.. (1,.,d0 e ho crisis that has arisen, (llear, hoar") K Cjnneron has I een compelled to fifrht. the .Maori with His liumls tied ; he tins not lieon aWe to profit by an adv mt-isre ".l'Ti-ra ™nm ' TJ"" K! ' me H™ 1 * Gum ' ral Cameron Ims ..".d'-;'"" aT" " in the Crimea, in 1 mi, .Hid in Cl,ma. | hey writld have conquered hero if thev h !„r , " lV ""'r''." 1 '' 1011 " 1 - -*»' >•"'■ before proceeding 1,,.,-r f;ivnur Of tlie local forces. The mem ? oin the .-Oiitll have taunted Aueklnnd wit 1 , liavinp done lo ";!\ Vn i' c, r sps of tllis «>'"">-• 1 "1.1 111-re to tell I. ,i 11 1 . ,i '' n ""' 'hat tlr.s is a calumny a -am-1 Anckluiul. and that AucfclaTidmcji.old and young, married and unmarried evdy lll,ill did his duty. (Cheers) I say that these lorces' when called upon to face the enemy, acted nobly ; andii'tliev were iiot all le(. to_ meet tile Maori, it was not because thev were alranl or to go, for many of tiiein lia l much Ji'efericd liirhtm-i with the 3fai,ri to occupviii!: the iiuiirters that had been nsMgned to them. Main- ofthe loc.il ibriicofcll 111 the trenches ; many liave siixediod under fatal diseiises coiitrae.cil in the perlormance of their duty. I know one f 111 f S,;I two .V'liths strong, vigorous, ami healthy ; they a>e now m then- graves. I.et the .South taunt us its they please, w c inili ß n,inlly. reject their taunts. We stand i i ¥ I ,rest -' nL,< -- of each otlner, and in the presence of tlie world, and say that wo have done our dutv. I trust it will home to the mother counti y that there are men here not ivillin.. to sneak tieiiind an cxeuse. nor nnwill,in- to meet a foe when" ev.-r reiiuired hy the interests of the colony. Thev arc ready now as over thoy were, to face.an enemy or encounter dau»er (Loud cheers.) "

Mr. Cadmas seconded tlie resolution. He s-iid that Mr. .lliicmrJane nan su fully entered upon the subject that he was quite m:.re the audience would best appreciate his observations by hemp as brief as possible. It was a matter of thankfulness timt assistance was sent to us in the shape of troop* General Cameron and Commodore Wiseman had been placed At the head. He thought that the greatest services had been performed by General Cameron, and in such a wnv as rellccled the greatest credit upon his humanity as well as upon his military qualiJications. lie had not for~ott»n in the moment of victory and conquest-, tlio.se claims which were made upon his chivalrous nature, and in meeting which lie would send his name down stumped with the character VJ». a liuman j turl i ui - Thanks were also due to Commodore Wiseman, for the indefatigable activity with which he had performed his duties. Everybody must be aware of the enormous amount of labours that the sailor* awl soldi rs bad to jro through, but they never shrank lroni tlie performance ot their duty. He rejoiced in the presence ofthe Superintendent of tins place . Tho members who represcnte l Auckland were opposed togoinginto this war; and those who forced the war upon them wore southern members of tlie .Southern Island. The people of tlie Northern fslandweie to have hud a material guarantee tor a supply ofl»oth umny and menbut these people ofthe .Southern Island neither supplied the one nor the other. \\ lien the time arrived that their aid was asked for, they denied it. The manner in winch the bouthern ir< ntlcmen had conducted themselves the session hud been indecent And scandalous. The question was \\ hetl'er it should he peace or war r This wsis i.ot a time to remove the sent of government, or weaken the hands of the Governor. There had been a most scandalous attack made upon the people of Auckland bv the Southern member* (Cheers.) They seemed to think we were irrowing rich by this war Jle (Mr Cadman) thought differently Where was tie cultivation of the land, which could three or four years since have been pointed to? Everybody knew who took the trouble to enquire that the cultivation ot tlie land has been limited to the lowest possiblce.xtent, in fact, that it bits near y censed, and that tlie land, which is the source ofnll wealth, has not added a single sixpence to our income. The meeting would sec what they had done. Thry promised supplies of men and money: they gave neither' The people of Auckland had riven men and money too. Every place of business in that street ban been shut up because masters and men were at the front. Kvery promise they had made bad been broken ; there had been neither honesty nor justice in their profession. The time had arrived when they were called upon to take another step, Pe hoped thev would take every possible means to strengthen the bunds of his Kxcelleney. and say to the Governor, " These men were anxious to despoli us. and we look to you for aid* that they mav do nothing of the sort. 1 fCheers.)

Mr. Firm. : This not the first time that I have had the honourand the i leisure ofuddrcssing &n Auckhmdaudience. Since the last time I had the pleasure, 1 have not been .so well as I could Pave wished, and my voice U not quite so strung as l should like— but with a little patience. I have no doubt I will make myself heard. 1 think, Mr Chuhxuau and gentlemen, when everybody has had >o much to say on this question - the Governor in his despatches aivi the line Ministry in their memoranda, as well us our Southern friends in the House ot Uepresentatives— ail the?"e parties have had so much to say on thwone question—that it appears to ji;c that now, it* ever, the time has come for the people who know most about the real state ol the question, and arc most interested in the result—the people of Auckland, who. bv long waitint: and long eiuluranc, have been in the very centre ef the difficulties— to give utterance to their opinions. We have suffered much on this quotion, and we now demand a hearing. In the endeavour? that have been made to convene {lie inhabitants of Auckland for this occasion, I have heard from more than one quarter that a {Trent amount of danger existed in calling a public meeting of this kind. A A OICK : You ought to have called it long before. Mr. Ftu-rii: lietter lute than never. (Cheers). Gentlemen, let who will ridicule public meetings, I sny that public o| mion, patiently and temperately ami magnanimously expressed, lies m the heart of all > those! free institutions under which we and onr fathers have lived. J recognise the extreme delieaev of the position which we tins day hold. 1 know we arc speaking in the hearing of tho«e who w'ill criticise what we sty in no very friendly spirit. I depend therefore upon you to show these Southern gentlemen, and those Knulish gentlemen who have maligned us—to show that when everyone is excited, when c cryone in thi.t meeting feels that he has been cruel y v rouged and seriou.-Iy insulted—that under such trying circumstances we who have been twenty years facing this great dirticuity, arc not going to disgrace ourselves before the eyes of the world We are charged with changing our colours. J say no ; J ?av thai on this question the people of Auckland are the people who know ino.-t about it—that they have ev<«r been constant in relation tothis matter ; tluitthctr opinion is worthy of being heard. "We are told, sir. that we are ready to trim our sails to any breeze. I say no. We are neither prepared to occupy <i position that ise have never occupied tcfore; but we are roaoy before this meeting closes—and we will not give any factious opposition to ihe Governor of the colony—-we are prepared to criticise freely h.s actions, and on the other hand we arc animated by a d( .sire to lake up a jH).-ition not flattering his Jiscelieney. I know lite people tf Aucklatd, an : J kuow that when a man does a good action they are ready to say s<\ and that when he is carrying out a good action thev are read v to recognise it. They gave him a fair tiial to settle his charge. We will take two or three sememe* front the >b'ontfn-rit Cross of this morning. You a»e. aware that we see now that wc don't want responsibility. We never have been responsible; we are exactly in the same position to.djiy that we ha\e ever occupied. Two year* ago a meeting was held in yonder hull to discuss the identical question which we are met to discus to-day. 1 had the honour then of addressing a few remarks to tho.e who were: then assembled. The -; m»ajk< were to the following etTeet :

"We sec on this question of responsibility his Excelll-u y has been sent here as the repiesentative of the Imperial authority, ami we have reserved the native question from our control, 1 wish to itnpre>s on von that the native question a mattcrof Imperial control. I think we have hud recent instance* to show bow much bettor aide fSir George Grey is to control (lie native question unasserted by re>pon>ible advisers. If the Imperial Government persists in holding the colony liable beccuseit i.ad a representative, and tax u with the" com of the war in any aft'r settlement—if we do regret to put our hands to any sueh Shylock compact, which will make us liable to a debt of X»,o00,0liO or .Ctf.Ouo,* Oosterlfi'g—if that be the {tenuity which wejinust j nv for representative institutions, it vill be paying too dearly for our whisile. Having shown that for two or three years at lea>t we have held the same opin oiis, I will read the resolution,

"That the joint responsibility of Governor an-l Minister# »■• uativo it flairs has resulted in divided counsels, and been I r >ductive ef great evils to both races of Her Majesty's subjects. That tt«e maintenance of Imperial interests and the

safety of the colony can no longer he secured uuder divided responsibility in native affairs; aiul this meeting is, therefore, firmly persuaded that the native affairs of the Northern portion of the colony of New Zealand ought, without further delay, to be placed under the sole c mtrol of the Imperial authorities. That the inhabitants of the Province of Auckland are prepared to render to; llis Excellency the Governor all needful support in his endeavours to secure just and substantial peace."

I have the honour, Icforc proceeding to <liseuss this question more at length, to remind you of what the state ot affairs was at the time to which which I have refercd. 1 think it proper here to jjivc a short sketch of the progress cf affairs up to tl.e present time. 1 imu-t say, Jirst, I fcel that the colonists have not been well treated in tins mutter. In the lirst instance, we were prevented having anything to say on the native que?lion And after a course of Imperial bundling after the protest of your representatives in the Wellington session, we desired none of their responsibility, which was however, forced on them. Tills,' however, has been withdrawn l>y Mr. Carilwell's despatch, and we are now in the position of having spent a large amount of money on the frith of tbcKnglish Government. The object wc have set ourselves to accomplish have \jeon snatched away from our grasp at the moment when we might fairly have hoped to have seen their full realization. That is the position of the Imperial Government in respect to the lirst portion of this complication. In the next part of this complication is Ins Excellency the Governor. I desire to say that I an no enemy to the Queen's sre you the enemies of the Queen's representative, so long as you are assured that he is Making and working out the interests of the colony. He is sent as Governor by that Gracious Lady to whom we owe allegiance; nevertheless, we feel that it is our duty, and you say, by your presence here, thit it. is your duty—to give utterance in terms cf true and impartial criticism to your opinions. You do not, ami I shall not shrink from that task. Some have said that His Kxe Honey ,Sir George Grey considered that the Maoris desired only law and order. Wc have dealt with the Maori* many years, and known them thoroughly. We have known them for years, and we know that thev require quite different treatment. We know that inanv high in authoritv here—mauy highest in position, influenced his Excellency, while at the Cape—representing that in coming here, he would be able to settle the whole difficulties in a very >hoit time. His Excellency must have considered the whole affair was very much like the came of chess, with the Bi>hop and the Knight Sir William Martin in his hand, so that he might at ltmt give us stale-mntc.i Notwithstanding his claim to a deep knowledge of the Maor character, his former system is not likely to be sncccssfi.il. It was said, indeed, that he managed natives. This reminds me of a story 1 have read somewhere, I think ill one of Marryat's novels, in which he <1» scribes a phrenological philosopher wlio, not satisfied with allowing men to benefit themselves in the ordinary course of nature, must have a certain mach'-ne by which they could develop ccrtain bumps, and depress certain other bumps, that he would be likely to develop the buuops of suspicion anil combativeiiess. [think, sir, that the only bumps that he has managed to develop Takeha are the opposi e ofthese that their confidence lias been depreciated, anil their vnvny impaired, IZ don't believe in this screwing up and screwing down—-here a Jitrle ll«»ur and there a little sugar, j bel eve the Maori to be a child of nature. I believe that th*s Maori Is a brave, simple-hearted man—that the Maori, simple as a child, i* icady to detect a shuin. I believejln.fc it will not pay, this kind of management. It was said of Englishmen that thev did not know when they were beaten. I consider that was the highest compliment that a general

could pay soldiers. Ihtt ll't? MrnriM knew when they •were "not beaten—(chcers and laughter)—and they won't give in till th*>> are beaten. Why should they? I think I exprcft mv own opinion, that Sir George Grey has nob fat homed the depths of the Maori character; or else, if he hr.s, he has been guided by those other motives which most, naturally i.pernte in the minds of Englishmen. I shall, however, aUucie to this by and by. 1 draw your attention to one or two points which, in my op;nfon, Sir George Grey has not fathomed. 1 -tllmlc to rliose celebrated new Ir.Ktitti if»n-s of which much has been said, Institution was a very tine word- It was something that pare us an idea of stability at any rate- They had riot that claim now, for t ey had passed uw«?y. Then, sir, the course that was taken by Sir George Grey at Taranaki, in which he believed that the Maoris did nor mean war when he advised tho Europeans to go to their homes. In less th*n a week from that advice the massacre of Oakura took place: and this last of all most fatal proposition which he has made to the Maori, \re connot think he has fathomed the depths of the. Maori raindv The proposition tlut he made to the Maori that he should keep his arms hut that he would feizc a portion of his land. I think many of those gentlemen, whom I see l*fore me now will be ready to allow that tho Maori understands you, if you purchase anything from him and pay for it: and he understands equally well when you ask him to give something J'or nothing. 1 think you can only expect the .Maori to say, No. Tc-morrow, tho loth December, the time for 'he Maoris to conic in and ct-dc their land, will have expired. I shall watch with a great deal of interest the re.>ult of to-morrow; and I shall Ic much deceived, indeed, if tho Maori shall have been found u> have given much for nothing. I think that Sir George Grey has manifested an amount of patience. which, in many respects, does him honour. And now 1 conic to another consideration. Sir George Grey know- that England entered into the colonization of this colony from the noblest motives—the dev.re to sweep away l a> barism from this islahd. I think the English nation were desirous to save this rac«s limn rtcstructi n—a destruction which has always overtaken aboriginal natives with whom civilized people come in contact, lie in.tv have hcen anxious and it was to he expected that ho shouhflook iKjyond the preset. I think the question of preserving the Maori has baen interfered with by this responsibility which the lion, members in the Wellington Parliament declare to be a slmiu. I think it is a most unfortunate circumstance that Sir George Grey and his Ministry should have hcen compelled, not tr-in their own faults but from tlv * circumstances in which thev were placed—should l»«ve Veen compelled to light each otder instead of putting an end to tilirie*. T think the Imperial Go crnment has done ns grt-ut; injustice in demolishing v ith one stroke ot Mr. CardwciTs pen thj policy of 1803; but at the same time it has given man opportunitv of cutting this Gordian knot. The next party o thW complication that I have to notice is the lata Ministry. Wj most of us know that when a man has failed, whether from hi* own shortcomings or otherwise, in carrying out what he lias promised, th :t people are not over-ready to prai-e him, but lather inclined to look down on him. 'f his is human nature. l>nt T expect that the people of Auckland will say, havings considered all the circumstances they are convinced that the* motives of the late Ministry were sinccre; that they v.ere dut-i mined to act right and fair; and whether they hare failed or won the vict- ry, they will acknow cldge that Ministers have done well. A great deal ha-bce»- said about the policy of 1803. I remember hearing a member ot' the House of Rep'.csentutives in l?i»l say that t..e on'y means of settling the Maori difficulty was bv making him know that he had something to lose by "ho tilitics against the Sovereign, and that something was Ills land. 1( was said that thatland furnished the fund by which the Maori difficulty must be cxtingu shed, and its los was the penalty c:f rebellion. It contained the »fui;d which was to indemnify the .settlor* for their homesteads.'that it wus the fund of the widow and the orphan, and the proper source from which the fxpenses ofthe war • ught to be derived. 1 see "•» reason ;o dissent from this proposition. Ancient and modern custom justifies this jr hey. 'the practice of the Maori people themsi Ives indicates this policy. This policy has been abolished by Sir George Grev. This* policy has been atVfted by the. Assembly. It has been solemnly assented toby t e Imperiii Government. "What Greater .security slu-uld a policy reouire than an Act of Parliament, which has declared that conliscacation is lawful as affecting tho land of rebels. Entrusted with tins power. the Whitaker Min'stry were disposed to makj war pay the penalty of l>t prosecution. T am one of tno*e who think that the exertions of the late Ministry have r.ot hcen properly appreciated, either in the House of Assembly, nor by the citizens of Auckland, who are most competent to judge whether they have done well or ill. The Whitaker Ministry, through good report and ill report, endeavoured to discharge the duty with which the Imperial Government, through the Duke of Newcastle, had entrust ed to them. We have teen the Waikato navigated, a remarkable ins.tance of co'onial energy and power. We have seen on this river, which two years ago I myself was obliged to come down in a canoe, solely through their efforts, a tleet of .steamers, and yet we have been told that we cannot do any tiling but talk. 1 wilt show you that we can do n little more than talk. When .General Cameron struck down the rebels at Tauranpa; when the tide of victory was setting in for us; when the Maori began to perceive that he w as fairlvjbeaten ; then, in the full tide of victory, philanthropic and economical people combined to destroy tho results of all these labour*, yud virtually to throw back this counlry for many years. Then came that wonderful expedient of distribution about the month of July la»t, that wonderful example, of feeding our enemies, by supplving them with I don't know how many tons of potatoes. Then the wonderful vay again of treating our colonial troops in active service, and involving an expenditure of half a million of money. We are not to blame for this. I consider they have had to fight the battles of this country, and the cor.sti:uti<>nat battle, which, if po sible is still mere important than the former. Under this wc will suppose we were holding our liberty, and then comes the wonderful policy oftession.ofwhch weare likely to see more tomorrow than we know to-dnv. a'thouuhl don't think we will will see much more. The policy of IS6U has failed, not from our fault, not f« om the fault of the late Ministry, nor will I press on •Sir George Grey so far astoas?crtthatitwasfroni his fault. But it has hi vn from the fanlt, if not, as the Americans say. from the worship, of the 'Mhnfehty dollar, 1 ' but the worship of the "alinL hty" penny additional on the income-tax. Napoleon used to say" that the English were a nation of shopkeepers; the phrase is not to be us<d in disparagement of shopkeepers, but it is a fault when people bring small considerations into large aflait s. Through this, and the theories of Mr. Goldwin Smith, the days nre come when public policy must be passed throngh the small sieve of" Will it pay Ju olden times the name of an 2CngHshman was a terror to a wrong doer, aiid a support to the weak and suffering. We had come now to the sole question, •* What will it cost?" Look at Denmark. Is there an Englishman's face that is not covered with shame to find that little country so deplorably and shamefully abandoned, before leaving our friends at home, I must again say that in this matter they have scarcely treated Ui fairly. We have been aspersed as a parcel of l*nd robbers, and accused of a desire to exterminate the Maori race; that we were a vile and cruel race of'people. It is as rfibrding opportunity of contradictivg these imputations on you that 1 rejoice to sec you assembled hereto-day. Among the many journals at home which have condescended to utter these calumnies, there is one paper, the Economist* which has not stooped to tlteM'scandalous and maliguunt libels. When we heard gentleman in the house of Commons, such as Mr. A. Mi'.ls, aver that this was an iniquitous war, not a war to protect the people of Auckland, but a war to get fertile land ; when we hear Mr. Martin advise Mr. Cardwell to wash his hands of this "unrighteous and inhiuitous war." and to leave the colonists to reap the fruits of their own misdeeds, we may be fuciincd to pardon foolish expressions on the jiart of the young members of the House of Commons; but when we find tho columns of the Times newspaper itself, and the columns of other newspapers spreading the foulest and the vilest calumnies ami imputations against their own countrymen, who were, a few years ago, living in their midst and animated by the same principles, winch made their, proud of the name of the name of Kngfchmen, I feel astouished and indignant. 1 want to know why a resident in this colony for two or three ye us. the only difference being that those who propagate such statements have staid at home at. ease, whilst we have been energetically and laboriously, and uot always successfully toiling—should be the subject of snch undeserved opprobrium. I have something more to s;iv of our Southern friends in rela'ion to this native They are a party to this business. (Hear. he »r, and cheers.) The hon. member for Kllesmere has said that but for this native question the discussions in the lkuiaeoi" Uepresentativcs would greatly degenerate. I remember well when these Southern gentlemen urged us on to war, and most of these Southern gentlemen were from Canterbury, they repeated • and reiterated this calumny, that there was one man who reprobated their conduct—a man who had no interest in Auckland —who w & himself to be regarded as from the South, 1 mean Mr. Stafford. (Koud cheers.) f think these Canterbury gentlemen are dealing rather unfairly. I heard them say that in consequence of our war expenditure the Southern loans could not be negotiated ; but when they attempted to negotiate these, loans before, they failed. They Jseem to me like high-spirited young gentlemen who have large expectations, but who sometimes discount their expectations, they do not realise them so 'advantageously as they expccted. When we regard tlu eutrance of the Southern members into this city a few days ago, 1 cannot help thinking thej' are like those ancient voyagers who were provided by the divinities with a bagful of wind. Well, they came with their budget of unru'y winds, but some unlucky wight ope ed the budget too soon. They were to remove the sent, of Government, to stop Emigration, to drive away the troops, and altogether extinguish the Province of Auckland. This opening of the budget too soon almost threw the ship over. They have ignored the Province of Auckland, and nave planted a barbed arrow in the hearts of the people of the Kortb, which will not be easily removed. When the hon. gentlemen the ember for Kllesmere says that Auckland is like one great wen; he is putting astrontr argument in our mouths—(hear, hear)—for wlmt are wens wanted but to be cut oft. (Laughter and chce s.) 1 think the least we can do is to oblige him. When this native question is in the hands of the Imperial Government, it will no longer supply the means 'for those orations to which wc have been so accustomed. We may say that when these Canterbury pilgrims shall have left our shores to-morrow—l am afraid I ain wrong—l repeat, when these Canterbury pilgrims >hall have lefc our shores, and we have separated from them all we intend to do. they must seek some other thrine wherea* to pay their vows. No more will this native question serve hon. members for a subject upon which to exhaust their rhetoric; and their etTotts must dwindle down to small and trifling discussion. The hon. editor of the Press, who sets himself up as a great authority, not only for constitutional law, but everything else, both of literature and politics, haw pointed in the columns of the J'ress the worst aspersions upon the Governor, lie has compared his Excellency to a churchyard ghoul, and has used language which scarcely admits oi a parallel even in Billingsgate (laughter and cheers). "These abominable A neks" he says in the columns of his journal. These and other such shameful exhibitions and denunciations I do uot remember to have seen anywhere except in the columns of the Canterbury Press. We find in the ('a -. 'i rbury Xtandartl an attack uot upon the men of Auckland, but upon the women of Auckland. What has Auckland done to deserve the ire of this modern Ulysses, who goes about defaming the people of the North. Happily when he shall have left our shores to-morrow, them being no matter for his vilification in respect to the Native question, we may say Othello's occupation's gone." (Laughter,). We have been discussing the action taken by the parties to these complicat'ons. 1 think we have shown by our presence here to-day that the people of Auckland are consistent. We went for before, and we go for it to-day. When responsibility was ibrced on ÜB, we did our best. When the necessity for action came every roan from 10 to 60 sprang to arms. Look at the result. A colonial force of lU.OCO men, ten colonial steamers, and £2,G00,00<> expenditure. I thai! not point to a political ecclesiastic who says the people of Auckland do nothing but talk. When we speud so much mot;ey in this struggle, I think we may be allowed to make our voices heard. I am not going to catalogue all the sacjifices wo have made ; sacrifices ef money, the loss ot life, and the cutting off of the bravest of our youth in this quarrel. I do not complain of this for it is the fortune of war, but I do complain that havi. g suffered all this, our enemies and some so-called friends heap upon us contumely, and seek tt> deprive us of our honour. Uur ro-cjlled friends also seek to deprive us of cur honour. All the parties to this complication seem to me tJ be like the man in the fuVle—like tho o:d uian and the :us. Everybody has been turning to everybody. We say, for our pan.-, we will cany the ass no longer; we will resign it to those to whom it belongs, i (Loud laughterWe turn back to the position we occupy I to-day ; 1 mean the position of non-responsibility, 1 lu.v©

only to nrtrl that in many respects wc hue Jvoen most -UTlfairlv treated by the (rontlcmen at home in fcnßlmno—by tnc Kiielish Government—who linve accused us of enwrme into an iniquitous war, and who have left no stone unrnrnea to set aiminst tis the teclings of oar countrymen. have ruined oar credit and blackened our charactcr. lhey hare ruined our credit in the London market, so that we could not get that miserable loan except at a tremendous discount: and having done - that'they refused to pve lis justice. Then it is proposed to abandon us. It is perfectly well known that the e was no had feeling between the Maoris and the settlers of this province. I thmk I may nflinn that there is no bad feeling to-day, when I remind you that, in obedience to the call of duty, every man sprung to his rifle. A Maori said in my hearing "Why do vou settlers fight against us. The settlers and the Maori should he friends." But they hare not only urged upon u* this war policy, hut having ente cd upon it. they abandon us when danger has fairly arisen. We have only to point to our deeds to show what we have done. .It is unnecessary that I should continue this address, though what wei have sufored gives us a right to expect sympathy from stranger*, at any rate from our own countrymen. I thin*' that men inheriting good old traditions and an excellent name, which >et them tip « the very pinnnctc of reputation and honour, would not have thought so ill of us if their judgments had imt been warped by calumny. It is our dutv to protest acainst the position taken up bv Mr. Weld's Ministrv. He says, •• Let the soldiers go." We say, knowing the difficulty far better, that there is some fear from this removal."As for the Southern members, thev are ffar removed into the interior—into that land where sheep accuniulatc and men decay (Laughter). They sit at home in quiet h« mestcads. niid are not iii a proper position to estimate the dangers which we undergo. AYh n be siy« the troop* shall go. wc will s-\v we do not wish to retain them. We would be told that wc desired to retain these troojvs for doing what vc were not able do for ourselves—to extermfnatc the Maoris. These mi<repre>cntatinns go through the whole land. Whwi we consider the whole position of nffairs we arc doing li-rht to refuse to be responsible, and we answer, "if you 1 kc to take the troops, why take them, but if anything should happen, remember that our blood is on your hands." If the Kmrlish Government, will only give us the policv of 18it3. nuke we want the troops to go. We niv the people do not join in the detraction of the services of the tro .ps in this e lony. Wc know that General Cameron had a most dilV.cult operation to conduct, and he had to bear in mind that his army could not be broken up into small guerilla parties, ruined for possible service in the great plains of Kurope." if the Home Government would give ns the Policy of isr.3, and give us a line across the cum try to Taratinki. and that is the bargain with iheni. Tf they won't give us tint, then we resign the whole responsibility of mtive matters into the hands of Government. I hoie'rhat you will not understand me that I surrender those very institutions under which we live. We are not going to commit such a fatal mistake. We ought not suddenly to throw up our cards. Though we may not have the money to-morrow, we may have it at some future period. Wc must not give those who asperse us to understand that the peoplt of Auckland are prepared to resign those free and put their necks ttndor tip* heels of a despot. 1 say not T «we institutions which our fathers have won for us shall tot be allowed to slip from our grasp. We throw back ujxui :!;»• South the imputation made by Mr. Gillies, who said there was so much life in the South that she should not he joined to a corpse in tlie North; still our lnemb-rs in Auckland in the dcu.se of Itepresentatives, if they do not make flowery orations, they never commit themselves to such scandalous comparisons a* that. The position we are going to occupy is a 7*>sition of non-responsibility. We are not going as snpp'iants to Sir George Grey or the Imperial (Government; ond we will say to then), if you abandon us we will fall hack upon our own resources and wait events. I think if we are finally abandoned we will be in a good po>itinn to stand before the world, and prepared for •• Vit.-ver may happen. To say to those who traduce us— JZeadv—Aye Keady (Cheers). Mr. IIowk: It is not my intention to detain the meeting very long. J mean that brevity shall be the most proiuinc.it characteristic of my address on this occasion. However. I

I think I ci»»M»v ono tiling, and that is that the cause of our nn'riiiur to-day Ims not resulted f»-om our own conduct. "We have not met here today without sufficient cause. I certainly d.» ivirret the occasion of our meeting, ami I an* certain you do also reirrettho occurrer>co of circumstances which has made ihW meetinca political necessity. But of whatever nature or •• character these circumstances may be, we are not in fault in the matter. I fee'confident of ttiisthat from the beginninir to tlie end. in connexion with these affairs, Aiu khind done its duty, audits duty only. As for the speeches made here to-day, if in some respects they have been not quite r..lov;tn? to the rosoluttonsproposed, that is no disadvantage ; neither do I think it would he desirable that they should in every particular. ] think it was neccssary to have "referred to tho crv.it variety of circumstances and evenfs which hare raite d our present action. The whole of the late proceeding «»n the part of the Southern gc- tlemen have beencharacter-i-.u] }»v the greatest injustice. We should not object to the •list- s-ion of the quesiiou as to the removal of the scat of (Jovernment to "Wellington, if that question had been dl--cu<*ed in a proper manner by these Southern gentlemen, they

v.-f-iitd not. when they came to take action, have limited thf enquiry of the commissioners. Jn the last svsssnn ofthe Assembly these ccntleinen would not allow the enquiry to t«» the whole colony. They had determined that no such general issue should be put, and they would oulv allow tfj*' enquiry should be with reference to Cook's Straits. They did not say we willing tole ve this question as applicable to the whole colony, but as if they mi>trusted the cause they :i\xTcaKHt. and impressed with the transparent injustice thev *vvr<* commit tine, the)' confined the who'e proposal to C<K>k s Straits. and book's Straits alone. Had it been otherwfcc they would Jiave hesitated. •'This is not the proper time to viw f!\»-ension. , \ Jt was the men ofthe South especially that vorated and promoted the war, and promised to make sacrifices to accomplish its object. If they had said, seeing that thw quotion of tl»e scat of Government must be set tied, but teis is not the proper time nor place : let it wait till the '•tIK-r question of the war is settled, or if thev had said" It n "'t be snMn'ttedtonn impartial tribunal; let that be cone" we misht not perhaps have so much reason to complain. But tV-v said " row is the time and opportunity: let this thing

\vc are ready :*.ifwe wait till the proper time should como our chance will Im gone." With this reasoning and ini 7 !ii< spirit they passed a reso'utlon confirming this impot tnnt rv.' stion to Cook's Straits alone. (Hear and cheer - ). From tiiH* moment I felt sure that the colony must >ooner or Inter 1 bo divided. (Cheers). That «ere an alternative to be avoided, :f possible: but when the step was taken) from that hour it 1 >?<•.». me an impossibility tJiat any other remedy could be devi-ert successfully for the injury inflicted on the Northern province than separation. No other course of policv was left open. The gentlemen who proposed thatthecity of M'ellington should he the place of Government, cave the key to their motives, whon they said, looking ! enviously towards this " There is a great ded of commerce there. .Auckland has 1 ecome four times th 2 size of "this city, and it te •rro'.viTiir every day : what is this progress owing to they said and desire save the answer, " oh, to' Government expenditure, to be sure." (Hear and cheers). A more foolish remark was T-cver made. I hat is not the cause of our prosperity. (Ifear). No. the truth j«, that we have so shaped our land laws as to introduce population—people industrious and enterprising, while the gentleir.cn of Canterbury have been introdurinc sheep. (Cheers). Now, I say, I would rather have

imputation than sheep (loud cheers), nnd although we hive encountered obstacles in the develo ement of the resources of this Province, still when these difficulties s;n'l have passed away, a" they are sure to pass away, then will an increased energetic and loval nopiili•Ji';n he ready with labour and skill to till thesoil, to develope resources, until, although this city is not a Singapore row it w;l! become so by and by 'hear and cheers.) I will not detain you with many further remarks, I wilt simply refer you to the res-. Itition submitted for your adoption. It stages a" fact which one will dispute viz. that j»int responsibility in native affairs has been productive of evil to both races, &c. I will not dwell on the many causes* in which this state of thine* bus 0 i'/iiiijted. the fact remains which no one can deny. It is hi'-h liine, we have nbundant proof of it, that rosponsibilitv sh uM no longer be divided, nnd we say let the power be ' •)a ed in the bands of those who will use It to the greatest visage of both races. But the** say von want a despotism, I a iv we want iid >uch thi' g: liut if we must clicojc CDnceeding ..«>r the sake of argument tue proposition between two despotisms. then we choose that of the mother ccuntry rather than that of the Southern gentlemen We prefer to trust the management of native aflairs to the Home Government, and Her Majesty's representative, nther than leave it in the hands of Mich men, for if they retain the power, if they continue to have nnyth ng to do with native affairs, thev will not only not promote our interests but they will seek in neglecting the most obvious'of duties save their own pocket, and then Auckland may go where she likes. I say therefore we have a far better chance of fair play, we have a betteropportunity of realizing greater advantages bv leaving power over native aflairs in the hands of I Fer Majesty's representative than we could possibly hope foby leaving it with these gentlemen in anv wav whatever. I hope these evils will soon come to an end." T do"not believe the nay is so dark as many believe: I do not believe these difficulties are going to last for ever. I think thev will pass away sooner perhaps than we suppose. I would therefore"exhort my fellow colonists to take heart in these matters, notwitiistandingthnt we may have trials and difficulties and obstacles to encounter, yet if we make a long pull and a strong pull and a pull altogether these difficulties will vanish. This will prepare us for the latter part of this resolution, viz., that we are ready to hand over this matter to Her Majesty's representative. {Still we are not going to shirlc our duty. uie are prepared to perform our duty. We have done it in times past not shirking from any sacrifice that may be demanded of us whether sacrifice of time, of money, or of blood, (hear and cheers,) which if required we will let flow in order to bring this natter to a successful issue. If the Qneen's representative requires moral support we will give it to him as tar as we possibly can, if he re'jmrcs physical exertion on our part he will have that also,, whatever <V<y we are called upon to perform in order to carry nut tiurt line ot policy, we will willingly discharge. Auckland Will not be found wanting. We are attached to Auckland notwithstanding anything the Southern me*i w.ay say we will stand by her in the day of her trial until we shall succeed in delivering her from Iter enemies and I have no doubt ive shall succeed and that completeness of our success, I feel assured these Southern gentlemen little dreain of. (Cheer.*..) Mr. Wv.vx: At this lute period of the meeting I do not propose to occupy your attention at any great length, inasmuch as you have heard from previous speakers, in language which I cannot emulate, the whole hearing of the case on which this meeting has been called together. The two'resolutions have given rise to a large amount ot eloquence; nevertheless the resolution which it is my duty to ask your assent to, is the !:cy-smne of the whole subject which you arc called upon to consider. You have heard, in the two previous resolutions, t!io evils under which you are labouring. The resolution v.nu'ii I have to propose, appears, to me, to suggest the r.'Moed.v, and the only remedy for these evils. In this resolu--1 < i*i wc propose to separate ourselves from the Southern parts ol the colony. It appears to mo, from what we have already beard, that this meeting is alive to the question that nothing lvm-dns to preserve our independence, our rights, and mainia:n our just claims—that nothing, I *av, remain* but to sejiiratc from the rest of the colony. (Hear ana cheers). I am perlectly sure of this, to believe that justice is due to Auckland; wc should be 'ho last to ask for separation. (Hear). Tor years past, time alter time, day after day, and month after month, have the Southern people endeavoured, and at last successfully, u> remove the seat of Government from this place. The question is, can we go on in this province, observing ;l- wc must observe that it is the centre of native atfairs, while the General Government and the Governor arc some hundred miles distaut. Arc we detonnined to have u Government or not? Are we to have a Government up here, in the midst of the native population, or shall it be down there where there are no natives to give trouble, ire say that the Government shall he here, and that nothing Psk will pati-ify us. i do not for one moment advocate, nor do I think then? is one here who would advocate the policy that we should—ji.s it is said we arc doing—go back to a despotism. IVc want nothing of thekind. What we do want is this: " inasmuch as th« Imperial Government says wo will have control over the natives," w-.j say govern them by all means, but let us govern ourselves. If you prefer it. we will govern the natives, bui if we undertake the duty we must, not have our decisions reversed and our plans set at naught Do not, on the one hand say go on. and on the other hand stop. AVc say that because \ !j- % J imperial l'ariiament has brought us into this difheuUy, and want us »o pay the cost at the same time that they desire stilt to keep the reins of Government, in their own hands, wc will stop and ask them to take the responsibility and the cost

H Sito Oirir mm lunnK Thny Have JirßCd Wis country to w Prom "which wo have snlTcrcd greatly. Th* remedy for tho evil we suffer Is plain nnd simple, if wo are only firm anu unito(l awl determined to govern ourselves. Tho resolution is \cr> plain nml clear, and if am not quite ax definite as I could ha\ o wished. I only say by way of apology, that it in only within the last few minutes'thatl have been entrusted with tiii\ l " •tion. Although 1 am not in a position to speak still. there is less reason to regret, inasmuch as the honourable gentlemen who have got»o before me have laid the mutter so completely beforo you. I sny again, this resolut ion is the very kc\-stone or the whole affair. If we arc firm, determined. and unuert in carrying out this matter by writing hooks or pamphlets and using every other lawful mean* at our disposal, we will be sure to gain our end. Although 1 do not agree with every word that gentlemen on this platform say; yet, this is no time to carp at or llnd fault with the terms ot the resolution. It is enough that they substantially represent what wo feel and what we mean. Let them then go forth to the public. We rcquiro unitv of purpose and firmness in prosecuting it.and so sure as W c continue to art in this spirit towards our object, so sure win W o secure the end wc have in view. His only for the people of Auckland to repeat the words of the last speaker. to take a long pull and a strong pull, and a pull altogether' nr( i thev will succeed in their present purpose. The honour a i)i 0 gentleman projwscd tho resolutions as follows. " That it is ncccssnrv for the effectivo administration of nffairs in this colony, that the Executive power* ] M > exercised from Auckland, situate as it is injdway between tie two great sections ofthc Native race, and Mint, in the opinion of this meeting, tlie action of tlie tJon e rnl Assembly in reference to the removal of the Kxecutive anthoritv from Auckland at the present crisis, lias compelled this IVovinco to take steps to secure separation from the Southern portions of the colony of "New Zealand. Mr. W. "Ritk i.am) seconded the resolution, ho said, follow onists : I did not expect to have to address you at this stage of tho proceeding*, hut the gentleman who had taken upon himself the task now imposed upon me is unfortunately to ill to be present and perform this duty. 1 have then into his place. We have been told that we do not know here in Auckland what public opinion is. 1 should like that any Province other than Auckland could show the number effaces which I nowseobefore me. (cheers.)|We can show that-wo have something in us besides money grubbing propensities, there are very few older colonists than I am. 1 was in ISIO down at Melhngton. and I have a lively recollection of the hitter foehng that prevailed there when it came to be known that Governor llobson had selected Auckland as the place of Government. That feoliu" has none on increasing until it has culminated to its present height; it has for the Inst 20 years gone on spreading charges and calumnies against us asserting all IMxsible snrt-s of things which wo have scarcely deigned to answer. These statements have obtained currency because we have not. taken the troublo to refute them : I»ut our answer is a verv brief one. Let us compare Auckland with Wellington for'indnstry. for public spirit, for successful enterprise. Auckland is less given to calumny because she has neither the disposition or th" time to bestow upon it. , The successful development of ma v .v if not most of tho rejourns of this province is a much better key to the discoverv of how wo have been employed. We have heen employed in doing the part of good colonists. We have done our best to develope the resources of one of the finest countries Cod ever gave to man. (Cheers. - ) Because we have done this, not spending our time in agitating possible and impossible ipiestions. because wc have done our dut.v persevcriiiglv anil conscientiously wc are to suffer from calumny, ami injury at i tho hands of the members from the south. liook ut our puV- ' Me; buildings. look at the hundreds of thousands of acres of wasteland that have been reclaimed. (Cheers J Then 1 sny that this same spirit that has conmicrod the wilderness will j now be directed to maintaining us in the position we occupy (Cheers.) The gentlemen who have come before you to day | have affirmed what we all know to be true, that in order to govern the native nice satisfactorily—and all aboriginal races arc similur in this respect—so that speaking of one ymi include all—it is positively necessary that the executive should be near or anions them. We have abundance ot proof oi this. Those who have been for several yours in the Colony can call to miud the many imminent, out-breaks ot which it the Government had not been near at hand, nobody could have calculated the result. Mr. Weld not being perhaps aware ot this, has made an assertion founded on no laot. and only consistent with the wildest theory, that the natives can be go. verncd at a thousand miles distant. Ifthat gentlemen had resided for any length of time near a largo population ot , natives, he would have known that such an assertion wis un- i founded, and be would never have given utterance to it. The I fact is that for years past there has been a determination to j remove the scat of government from Auckland, and those who ; have combined tor this purpose, would have sacrificed every man in Auckland to gain their end. They seem to bo under , the impression at Wellington, that we owe our success m this | part of the colony, to the fact that the (Jovernor resided amongst us Supposing they do remove the seat ment- to Wellington, and the position of the two cities so io speak, be transposed, was it a necessity that tho public spirit ot Auckland should be translated to Wellington, certainly not. ! what is the profit of 1500 a year divided amongst a community like this, why it is not sixj>cnco a head. This is not the vMJi 1 question. The question with us is a far brighter one. The question with us is one of life —actually one ot absolute existence. We say that the Government ought not to be removed i from Auckland, because that course would be dangerous to the existence of the eolonv'itsolf. As colonist* ol Now /calami, as men of Auckland we sav that this danger is imminent and has been recognised by nit. It has been deeided by all the most experienced men upon whom the management of the atlairs of this colony has in times past devolved, that Auckland is tho place best flitted for the seat of the executive of any other part of the island. This assertion has been made over and ! over again by one of the very few statesmen in this country who says "there is no place comparable to it." All independent men have said the same thing. No one under ori (linary circumstances, except a most reckless ministry, would I have attempted lo propose to the House of "Representatives the removal or the seat of Government from the place where ; It had heen so long established, and where w:is universally : acknowledged to be most appropriately ami advantageously i placed. To remove it at the present time would be no more | and no less than a crime. Looking at the position of the i colonists and that of the native tnihe<. seeing that (here are upwards of -tO.OCO people, and we all know that the natives are in such a state of excitement that the smallest spark thrown amongst them would kindle a conllagrationof hostility which would, it is exceedingly probable, oveiunatefn a general 1 * rising of the natives of 'he north. 1 do conscientiously believe that any minister who would make himself acquainted with the facts of the case must be of same opinion that wc h.wc come to. or that he is totnlly ignorant of facls. or that he is animated by a most unnatural and unfriendly spirit by which he is impelled to act in a most- atrocious way towards this IVrovince.'fhonr and cheers.) Hut whether it be from ignorance it JYom other motives the present ministers have acted there \< no further dependanee to he placed upon them, hot them go on. Meanwhile we must do the best we can to secure the indci endence of the province. We have no confidence in them. In this conjunction of circumstances we must apply to his Kxcellency tor relief. There are many of the acts of his Kxcellency F do not agree with, but I am sure he will not leave Auckland at this extremity to the mercy of an enraged foe (cheers.) We must see his Kxcellency. ami say to him "we insist on you remaining if the ministers go South, and if the worst come, our blood he on the heads of those who have betrayed the trust—which the er Mother Country and the colony at large had placed in their hand.*." Mr. Fitzgerald had ealkd us cowards, and other hard names. I wish he had been with some of our people at the front: he would then learn a very different lesson. He would discover that our wealth, and our youth, and our manhood was willingly employed and much of them sacrificed, in preserving this colony from destruction. (Loud cheers). MEMORIAL FHOM HTK NATIVY. CJPKFN At this stage of the proceedings several Native Chiefs were introduced to the meeting, Waafa and Kohipi. two Native Chiefs from Tanranga, two front Cabha -e Hay, l'ita. .Thev '••tell addressed the meeting. Their sn"cches illust rated in diflerentvarietieaalmftstthevuneidea. "Waata Kukatai informed the meeting that iftliev stood on the head of a fish they must expect to be annoyed hv his tail. They should get their w hole weight in the centre. He likened Auckland to the centre of the present disturbances. The other Chiefs illustrated by means of their walking sticks, how an influence set at eil herextreinc upset the equilibrium. Thev all prayed that Te Kawaiui would not adow the seat of Government to be removed, for if he did. there was sure to be a disturbance. The followhiT is a petition from a number of influential Natives on the question:— Waipapa, Tihcma 0, IS(M. V. lioa ma,— nga l'akeha katoa o Akarana.' Tane noa wali nenoa tnmariki nna kuia noa ; koroheke noa to na kautou wakarongo mai kite rco o nga Mnorio Aharana kia kotnhi totHtou ti ko nga bote kupu rl ana kc. a Kawhana kite lcainga i timata ai to Kawana nata tatemeakote hui agate nei o nga. I ail katoa to Akarana ma kouton, e I'anui e nei korcro kite mano kakawcattt hoki. Ida te Kawana mana c waka tutuki ki totaton waca Arohanuikia Ktiiai "Wikitorki. Kahu itu. Na Te Pohipi Tuikarangi, na nga kupa a Taupo. Na J'itaTaahia, o I auraki Na l*umipi I*ararcwa, ollauraki NalhakaNgapaura, Kotorua Na Tarokiawa, Kotorua Na "Wiremu 3r»tenc. Tahti •> one o Tarawera Na Para toManu Tawhiorangi, tc Kouo Kcwa No MitaTamataru Na Uuka Iluritou okl.ko teTawera tc iwi - Na Turirna Na Hoanl Patcura Na Ngatio Na lloae teOtirnu NaPaurini.Meretaka tc Hani No Manari enei tungatuurano Hattrakt. Uraiaptt Nga te Pau Na Mo Kina, Pakura NaPitaPeka, lliouao NaTimo, te ISlamae Na Karepa, Muhu NaPa'atene, ICamura. No Ttiratiga e nei Tanpata. Ka tap >ko r.ci ki tcni Htinanaga Paptiri ia te ilaw.-ma. Kahuri. Na Tarei Kahutia Na Akipene Tnrangl Na Paiiro 1e whiwhi Na Paora Pcre NaTehiruTe Kai NaKaraitiana Turo Ngatieata, Waiuku Na Ainepene Kaihatt NaUoriTattroa Na Paora Colnhi NaTc HiraTcwata Na Paora t e Iwi NalJapata Ivaihau Na Pa kau Na Wireinu Taurna No llauraki enei Tjing:it:i,ka topoko neiki teni-i Unnnng.i Pupuru ia Te Kawanai. Tutiunieha Te JVfoanauui Mirawa Meha Nephana Kreatara Hewi llawea No Ngatitamatera Ngatimoru [translation] Waipajm, Ueccinber oth, JBO4 Priends. the whole of the peoples of Auckland, men wont'Mi, and children: .Salutations to you nil. TJstcn to the voiee-of the Maori.i of the (province) of Auckland, namely, that we all unite to keep the Cseat) of Government at Auckland, where it was com menccd, for it is here tlial all the winds gather together, (i.e.) all the .Maori tribes visit the city of Auckland for the purpose of conferring with the (Jovernor on political matters, it being the most centra l place. J)o you make this jtuown to the thousands of Auckhn d pakeha.% then take it to the Government, by him to ho forwarded to our most loving Mother, Queen Victoria. (Signed) Potai'l Tukaiuanui, and IS others, fromTa'»po, llauraki, ,V><n»i>. TauranjKi, Waipu. Waiuku, &c.. &c. Mr. XhWMAN: Your patient endurance fellow colonists, after standing for nearly three hours, is a proof that you aro bent on a purpose, and that purpose i- progress for Auckland. The object of the present Ministry is to put down that progress Your presence, however, gives defiance-

to any such attempt. It afford* a <sonfirm&tion of my a Late numt. I will first alludo to Mr. Weld's intentions with regard to tho "NVaikato. AVU tis tho RtHte of the "VVniknto at the present moment. At present we have twetvo slOiimciu on the Wniknto. If this Ministry continues in offloo how inunv -will wc have say six months' henee? Notio whatever. It is the intention of Mr. Weld to el( ae tho Waikato against progress. Wo have a coal mine in tho Waikato that will bo kopt- open and worked successfully l y the Ministers now in power. Tlie Waikato with its tributaries, taking a bend from Tauranga, has been secured by the blood ot our bravest soldier colonists. (Cheers). Does Mr. \\ eld expect that* this district will willingly bo given up to anarchy and confusion. We say on bchalt of our colonists and recent settlers that we havp a right to demand that progress so happilv begun shall be continued and established on the Waikato. We speak in the interest of white man ami native alike. Let this maguitteent district go hack to tvar and where will it bo. What will be the result then V War to the knife will be carried on for twenty years to e.otne. Tiie best friend of tho native would say let the Waikato tie occupied, fully occupied by the Kuropcan. (Hear). J.et It. not be given up to the intlneneo of dry rot: let it grow grow* grass and grain ; let the mills that once tlanked its rivers and their tributaries be re-established. (Hear 2/et war again break nil and any hope wo have must bo disappointed. War will destroy the fruits of a growing civilization, and tho place will bo handed back to barbarism. It is this barbarism that, wo object 10, and which Mr. \\ eld seeks toi promote. l'eace wiili him is to be the price ot barbarism. Wo object to such a peaco. (Cheers). T again j atllrm that it is on*behalf of the uativo not less than of the | white man that wo demand that tho Waikato should bo occupied ; for with occupation we carry roads, railwayssteam boats, llour mills—in a word we carry with us eivli- j zation. The gain of these improvements arc common alike to native and Kuropean. Of what value is his land to tho native if ho cannot enjoy the fruit it yields ; or by exchanging that fruit tor the money equivalent to provide lor increased comfort in the present avid maiuteuav.ee in the future. (Cheers). Wo eomo therefore lo aid tho native not to leave him in the wilderness. When we plant in the midsl of a native population wo bring progress, hope promise, almost tullUled. and civilization with us. (Loud cheers). Ihit you do not hear a word about progress in connexion with native ''IVairs from tho mouths ol the present Ministry. No: they have not the active sympathy with the native. Having made the wilderness they may employ the sword to preserve it, but we lake tho native by the hand as w« do here this day. and shake heartily by the hand and greet him with kindness. (Cheers). It I mn asked for a proo., I point to this meeting as my answer, (Near). We have a thoroughly honest good feeling toward the native. (Hear). We do not intend io leave him in the hands of the Southern Ministry on the terms they would otler him. We ask therefore for separation as the means which will best enable us to improve tho condition ot the native population. Wo deny the imputation that wc seek to retain tho (Invornmont here for the sake of what we can gel by it. The present state of our uHairs and that of our families, the ruined health of our sons, the bereavement of many houses, le-stify what we have gained, and what we are. likely to gain, by war. The memory ol the brave men we have lost on the Held has caused us bitterly to mourn the presence of war. Hut war ended peace, and with her progress and prosperity arrives. Oilier blessings follow in her train. While then we are prepared to put down rebellion; we are prepared equally to rai.-e the white Mag of peace. To natives who aro friendly, we can give tl'O best allotments, bv the side of our homestead; we will bestow upon him every advaufaz? which we possess; we will protect him from his enemies, and sustain him in his possessions. Wo will give him his crown grant, and he shall have in his own right for ever the reclaimed and cultivated soil on which he stands (( beers). Then we say, that Mr. Weld is not Ihe man for the crisis. Wo ask for separation: that the colony shall i>e divided, and that the natives shall not be given over to men who do not care a straw lbr them whether they sink or swim; whether they stand or fall. This is no liction: what mean* tho cries of the children on t.ie Xorth .Shore; what means the dull calm of these nun tho dscons*»laie fa-es ef tlie women: what do these mean!- Thev mean that the present Ministry have refused to let them g-> upon their lauds in tho Waikalo. There arc not less than .v« or '•00 emigrants on the North Shore who aro doing nothing because the Ministers aro not prepared to couliscato land in such quantity as will enable these new arrivals to settle. Just think what niav be the eon<cqueneo-< of this curse of proceeding. We are pledged to these emigrants. "We promised before they left the distant shore they come from, that wo would give them land oi the Waikato. Wc have delayed the fuSlllmenl of thi* promise until these poor people almost despair. Delay is almost as serious as refusal: and they may reasonably accuse us of having broken faith with them; that la*iig brought them hero, we ignore them tor the lnture. I s-y we are not represented in that Assembly. No do not acknowledge Mr. "Weld and las colleagues jus having a claim upon our allegiance. The lime has eome when we unit. resolve and stake our existence upon the resolve to cnriv out separation ami nothing less, until the rights which have been taken from us shall be restored. 1 say that m the prosi cots of several emigrations now on their way, and to which we are likewise pledged—that pledge the late Ministry gave- ami that pledge wo must ItdlH. W 0 do not cju*o for the man who goes beyond his instructions, as Mr. f'rosbie "Ward luis done. That gentleman, then; Is no doubt, exceeded the authority given to him, hut whether this was so or not, I say wc art' bound in honour to t-ho»e immigrants, and we must discharge this obligation in f.ill, for the success of the emigrant is our success, and our success secures'his. (Cheers). The interests even of the natives, demand that those immigrants should bo planted upon the ban \s of the Waikato. (Hear) Whatever is < one wilh the Panama line we will keep f:;ith with tho immigrant. He shall have the land promised given to him : what is it that should bind us any longer to a party wlrch seeks nothing but our d-iwnfatt. Take, for instance, the speech of Mr. w hat is it fr< in beginning to end but a tirade of abu e agiinst .Auckland and i*s inhai i'ants lie (tares to call us cowards, lie who is so quietly euse-»neid in his little cottage beyond the reach of harm from un ite wi'.h the native, and sale from the alarm of war. II- i < who comes up to our Assembly and tells us that vc a'.o 11 chicken hearted." "We retort the malignant clung, back upon himself. Wo arc as ready now to go up to toe trout :is ever wo have been ; we are as buoyant and as hopeful, and if he will come up with us we will show him how a* d where the braVest of our men have fallen ; and he may take a lesson, and perhaps follow an heroic example, lint this is more perhaps than we can expect from him; "ml as he will not then 1 hope that Mr. ritzgernld will go liom i and never come back again. (Cheers). 1 must sa> one word more. I almost think that Mr. Tit/gerald has pictured to himself that some of these days he will bo the \eritabc king of the Cannibal Islands. (Laughter and choirs). JSiit 1 hope he will never rule over the people of Amk-aud. Wo have better men than he in this province. (CheersJ We will show himlhatthisprovir.ee can govern itself: notwithstanding all his pride about his intellect and ability wc can govern ihe native better than ho can. (cheers). Wc have the heart to do it. and that is more than he luis. Our success has been under Co<J's blessing the re«olt of our industry—of our hard toil—our daily labour. Throughout the South yon would not tind such a class of men as we have here. Tho grila'cr part of the men down there herd sheen and nothing more. They know nothing about the tilling of tho soil ami tlie sp.-cding of the plough. They get their prollts easily from the grass with which the earth is e'othod. I'ut in Auckland it is our labour that has obtained us and secures us our position. Our progress w-ill not stop wheic it is. Wc have had checks, but we have encountered ami overcome them. People who leave Auckland have somehow :t wish to come back s.g tin. (Hear *-nd cheers). It was my lot to be here when emigratioe *o California was going on; when the rep< ft of the ! first g- Ul tields a-traetcd all sorts of people ; itnd also when people went to .Melbourne, with the same object, people then thought Am k and was going lo the bad. What was 1 the result- These people went lo the diggings, ami met with average success. What did they do then ■■ They 1 brought their gains bv k to the province of Auckland. The same rxudus had taken place from other parts, but no 1 one ever heard of any one goin: back to "Wellington. There was nothing there to go back for ; and when a man once leaves there he never goes back again. (I.oud cheers). What wa> there in Southland or in Canterbury to induce men to go back there wheu they had once left these provinces. There were a few nabobs, perhaps, but one ihiug is certain a man gets nothing by going to Canterbury. (Hear). These arc not fictions ; they are facls to which the history of this colony will bear ample testimony. it Is on record, even adverse witnesses have borne testimony to our industry, our perseverance, our success. Let them take away the seat cd* (iovernment if they please. We have twenty saw mills in the province of Auckland. I would rather give up the Government and all its ettlcials than one of these saw mills. J.et them take the seat of Government if they will. We have coal fields at tho ltay of lslamU. I would rather they would take the seat of Government ami all they can carry with them than interfere with that mine. The foundation upon which wo started wjus this —to live by our own industry. Wc therefore defy all their machinations. Wc will go on progressing. Our portion is well known. We want neither concealment nor vain boasting. It is a boast in Canterbury that you might drno a dog cart a hundred miles without meeting any obstacle. Jsut what can you see!- On the other hand, go to : what do you s^e—cultivated Ileld3 that bring in ten times what their uncultivated lands bring in. "We no not envy them whatever advantages or whatever privileges they possess: but we do say, let us have ours, which have been obtained by our own hands. We nill not say one word again t litem. Where is the letter that has been written in Auckland, rellecting upon the South r Wo can count theirs by the dozen. Shall wc have these men au> longer as Ministers to govern us, 'Iheir designs are admitted on all hands to be discreditable to them. We therefore say to t'nese Ministers, if ihey choose to persist in the;r line of p-diey, let them and the seat of Government, go to the South, and leave them to their destiny. A policy founded like theirs, upon dishonest principles, must, by the weight of its own iniquity, fall to t'io ground. Wc have no need to hasten its downfall. Let us have separation from the South, and then let Auckland be left to its own energies, to the working out of its future progress, and what must surely follow—a success as complete as it was nobly earned. (Cheers). The iion. gentleman moved: "That his Honor the Superintendent, with the movers and seconders of the resolutions passed at the meeting, be appointed as a deputation to present them to his Kxcellency."

Mr. King seeoinlc«l thu resolution, said ho i'elt proud ti nt the vollcuiions that hsul been east upon tlie «ood name of ihcpu»plc of Auckland, had brcn indignantly repudiated and relortcd upon those who tillered them. It has hreu ►aid thai there was m> lnueh apathy amongst ilium that llioy did not rare ahout tins or any other 'piostion cxrc-p inoiicy-tfettui£. Ho was proud to seo Iherlotdcd h«'ad province in (In* person of ili* lienor Hie JSiqu'rintendejil watching over her true interests. When (lie people, of Auckland were Irodden on they were not quietly lo uutnnil to Southern nr any oilier members who would impoMj upon them either dishonest principles or dishonest uiea.-up's.' These gentlemen calling themselves representatives of i'».» various provinces, seemed io have combined together forth) ruin of one particular province. They banded themsei\._s together and as jf to prove their inismcd of accomplishing their purpose tlicy signed a document to which it may turn out that many of them will be found wanting in adherence That was the llrst step, Auckland to have made an ollort then, li is late in the «lsty now. Wrll tUcso mm came prepared to remove Ihe seat of (Government from Auckland, to closo up the present war and at the risk of instilling tho Home Covui-mnenl, who so aided the colon" in arms and men; to withdraw the troop.*. This would be ruin, nothing less. The natives would overrun the province. The meeting had given to the many speeches that hadbein addressed to it sueli n patient hearing that lie would not make any lengthened remarks as to tho policy requisite to be pursued. They should not only hold meetings bur, in every possible manner both in public and private, they should ae't together, meeiings should be held so that tho real state of the ease might be transmitted to tlie people of Knglaud who had been influenced agninst the colony by the grossest ca*uinnics. 'Jr. should be made known that wc wcro willing to take the natives on the s nne platlonn with us, and to raider them the samo justice that wo would to the Europeans. The opinions of the people on this subject should bo laid butorc his Excellency who was better acquainted with the

tlio facts than the ministry who held oflßcc. His Excellency had; a large interest at stake., and he -would not kco tho province sHcrillccd to the -machinationa of dishonest Souuthcm members. Tho day is not distant when wo will have a better understanding with the native raco, so that we will know how to deal successfully with thorn instead of attempting to doetor them. Tho interest which ho (Mr. King) felt in everything that concerned the province would bo his apology for having addressed the meeting who must lmvo been wearied by the numbers of speeches t'uit had been made. lie would cordially second the resolution

The resolution was passed and carried unanimously. Mr. Dic.nan then proposed the next resolution. " That an association he formed to be called the 'Northern Association' for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing resolution with the following names. Messrs. MacFaiianc, Cadman, Firth. Uur.kland, Xewinan, King, Isaacs, DUworth, Davis, Harris Wyuu, J Clark," &«, Ac. He said this was a resolnlion of great hnportauco to tho people of Auckland. In carrying out these resolutions, there was need of immediate action to give eirect to their opinions. He remembered in tho yo»r 1811 hearing tho tlrst Governor of New Zealand state that Auckland was chosen as the place of Government and thai It should remain so for ever. The Secretary of State for the colonics had confirmed this selection, and appointed that Auckland on the river Wailemata should thence forward for ever bo the seat of Government. That confirmation given in Her Majesty's name forwarding her Majesty's gracious assent was contained in the dispatch of June 1842.

Mr. J. ri.AKK seconded the resolution. He said that to ho I a power in the state they must become united. This was a | time to throw aside all party feeling, men should come for- j ward shoulder lo shoulder. "They all knew the proverb that whal was everv mans buMiiess was no body's business. He hoped they would not suffer the question that was then agitating them, to hccomo nobody's huisncas. The meeting then assembled atrorded a proof of the magnitude of tin? interest involved and the imminence of a great crisis in the eolouv. It was allowed on all sides that the progress of colonization in New Zealand depended upon tho proper management of the native question. On the measures that inav now be' taken will depend its progress for years to eome. There is at present sufficient energy concentrated in Auckland if it is properly worked to avert the dangers that now threatened the province. If it should lie allowed full scope, and be rid of the impediments which now weighed heavilv upon it. colonization would advance with giant strides; if on the other hand it should he cramped it will not bo able to hold its position, and would consume itself in useless waste of vital power. There is danger from the course now laken bv the ministers that colonization will be forced back, if so it will take years for it to gain a new con/idonce and strength. The measures of the legislative tend to bring about prostration ofindiKtry. and commerce. If this request for separation were said to be an extreme measure, then be would sav it was an extreme measure that was an übsoluto necessity for the existence of the province.lt would be the dutv of the gentlemen placed on the committee to watch over the interests of the province, lo advocate its claims, to assert its right. This proved in this instance at all events that what was everybody's business was somebody's business as well. The resolution was carried unanimously. Ma.joh Cooi-KK moved "that this meeting accords its thanks to JUs Honor tho .Superintendent and the other members of the House of Kepresentatives for the Province of Auckland f« r the united action which they have taken in the General Assembly in the present session, maintaining the just claims of the province." He said that the meeting tuid had the whole matter in question sutllcicntly (dearly laid before them, to need any further elucidation of it from him He was lora'ed in the country, but though the people in the country had much to complain of on account of inaction on tho part of the provincial authorities in Auckland j-lill they sympathised wlih the people in the town. He also remembered the year ISH when Auckland was made the seat of Government. It was mi the failh of such selection and its (o.itlrmatinli by the usscnt of Her Majesty, that many had purchased properly and invested money in the province, it was evident, that great loss and cruel hardships would result from the action taken by the ministers. It was the duty of every man to come forward in support of the public interest. Unless they did so and made themselves heard, thev would not hereafter be esteemed, if they neglee'cd their duty now, they would most certainly be losers, and what was lost would not so easily be regained, if even it could b; regained. Although he complained of the treatment the couutrv people had recHycd he knew very well what be would'get by goirg t> V e'!i:igton. (Cheers and laughter.) He had seen how Wellington had behaved to Wanganui, He knew what would happen when the matter got into their hsinds. The people of Auckland should be firm, energetic, and combined. He would join them heart and hand but he would express the hoj>e that His Honor the Superintendent would not overlook the claims of the country people when this crisis was passed. (Loud cheers.) Ma. llkkon seconded the resolution, which was passed and carried unanimously. His Honor the Superintendent acknowledged the compliment that was paid to him. Mr. Ma< - F.\i:i.\nk then called for three cheers tor His Honor, also three ehcors for His Excellency, and three cheers for Mr. StatVord. The whole crowd responded to each cull wi'b waving ot - bats and shouts of applause such jus are s'l loin heard in cities. The people then dispersed in a quiet ami orderly manner to their homes.