RECEPTION OF SIR GEORGE GREY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5019, 17 December 1877, Page 2

RECEPTION OF SIR GEORGE GREY.

MU. STAINES'S SUNDAY MEETING. Ix accordance with an adveitisemcnb, a public meeting of the working classes was convened to be held yesterday (Suncku*) afternoon, in the Domain, the objeeD of which, as announced, was to take into consideration the best means of oivimj Sir (i. Grey a hearty welcome. About 2*Jl) people were present including many pleasureseekers, a proportion of women, and others. Mr. Staines introduced the chairman, Mr. Chnrles Hazard, to the meeting. Ln doing so he explained the object of the meeting, iie denounced the meeting held for the appointment of the Reception Committee as the result of a hole-and-corner meeting, and further urged that the committee was in reality no committee, as the resolution for their appointment was never secouded. lie blamed Mr. Brett, the Mayor, for not calling the public together, so as to allow the working classes to be represented. He complained I that the time of the meeting was not stated , in the papers, and moved, "That in the I opinion of this meeting the Mayor of Auckj land did not do his duty, as he neglected to I call a night meeting in order to invite the I attendance of the people generally and allow I a full and fair representation of the workingclasses, to enable them to express their j heartfelt feelings towards Sir C. Grey for his noble efforts in their behalf during the late session of Parliament."—Mr. Wilson seconded the motion.—lt was put to the meeting, and about a dozen hands were held np in its favour. There were none Against, and it was declared carried unanimously. The second resolution was proposed by Mr. J. C. Wilkes, and seconded by Mr. Harra, as follows:—"That this meeting views with disgust the self-nomination of any individual class styling themselves the Sir George (irey Reception Committee, without having been nominated by the general public meeting at night called expressly for the purpose." lie spoke in higii terms of , Sir George Grey's efforts ou behalf of the' working classes, and his motion was put and carried without dissent.—Mr. Hunter proposed, "That this meeting is of opinion that the Mayor of Auckland should call a public meeting—a general meeting of the people — to invite their co-operation with him in the reception of Sir George Grey."—Mr. Smith seconded the motion, which was carried. — Mr. Staines moved a vole of thanks to the chairman, and thanked those in attendance for their orderly conduct.