MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9918, 6 September 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEETINGS.

Silt GEORGE GREY.

PROPOSED RECOGNITION

OF SERVICES.

A MEETING of those favourable to the proposal that the life and work of Sir George Grey should be permanently perpetuated during the " Great Pro-Consul's " lifetime, was called for on August 24, in the St. James's Hall. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland) presided.

The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, said 'ho''had convened the meeting in reeponso to a requisition, for the purpose of considering the advisability of erecting some lasting and fitting memorial to one who had dono so much for the citizens of Auckland. (Hear, hear.) , It was very improbable that Sir George Grey would be seon in Auckland again. He (the Mayor) thought the present time a very fitting one to take the matter into consideration, because if anything was-; done, it should be done while Sir George was yet alive, so that appreciation and gratitude might be shown him for what had been done during the many years he had served the city of Auckland. Dr. Laisiiley then proposed. " That in grateful recognition of the noble literary and art gifts of the Kight Hen. Sir George Grey, P.C., K.C.8., D.C.L., F.K.S., etc.; and of other valuable services rendered in respect of various local institutions and endowments, the citizens of Auckland hereby resolve to erect a perpetual record of such gifts and services,- and of Sir George's anxious and arduous devotion in connection therewith." Speaking to tho proposition, Dr. Laishley said it would be noticed that its framertt had been most careful in respect of one particular, and that was - to make it distinctly a nonpolitical and non-party motion. (Hear, hear). And they had done this most advisedly, in order that they might secure, if possible, a universal tribute from all parties and all classes, to Sir George Grey. There were many political actions of Sir George of which he (the speaker) was us yet unconvinced as to their ultimato wisdom. But it had been necessary, and advisable that the motion should bo framed to cover all classes, and render a tribute to the benefactions of Sir I George Grey as a philanthropist and benefactor to the city. (Applause). There was another phase which would be observed, and that was, it was proposed the tribute should bo primarily from, the city. , A New Zealand tribute would probably follow. He (the speaker) had taken > the trouble to see the city librarian (Mr. Shillington) to get a summary of the benefactions from Sir George Grey. *In the Library the total number of books in the Grey collection, ranging from 1460 to date, was 12,527 ; manuscripts, from 10th century to 1890, 350; Cromwell Treaty and manuscripts, 17; Treaty ceding the Island of J&va to Great Britain, I ; autograph letters from 1797 to date, 3200 ; maps, charts, and plans, early surveys of the colonies, etc., 400: fac-similesof ancient manuscripts from British Museum, 33; important telegrams,n 11; illuminated and other addresses, 350 : total, 16,870. (Applause.) Turning to the Art Gallery, Sir George had given oil and water-colour paintings (including many specimens of the Great Masters), 55 ; New Zealand and African wood-carvings, and Polynesian, 300 ; Maori mats of much value (15) and war flags (7), 22 ; greenstone meres and implements (New Zealand and China), 33 ; bone meres, 10; China vases, etc., 39 gold articles (17), silver (22), copper (13); 52 ; bronze casting of Napoleon's head, 1, Polynesian curios, 118; total, 620. (Applause.; Ae to the head of Napoleon Dr. Laishley) said that Sir George had told him it was entirely unappreciated. It was a most valuable treasure. There were only two in existence. The one in the Auckland Library had been in the possession of the King of Portugal, and had been given to the British Ambassador, and transferred by that gentleman to Sir George. Passing on, Dr. Laishley said he had naked Mr. Shillington what were the special features of the collection, and the following was the reply :— "The special features are : (I) The illumi nated missals and manuscripts in Greek, Latin, and other languages 10th century to 1890 ; (2) early printed books from 1460 to date ; (3) students' mathematical, classical, and law libraries; (4) tho Scriptures in nearly 200 languages, of which one copy only cost £2500; (5) collection of manuscripts and books relating to Polynesia generally; (6) papers and documents of Sir G. Grey from bis entering the Royal Military College, including all his appointments signed by Her Majesty. Sir George is a member of the Order of Pius IX, and member of the Order of the Tower and Sword of Portugal. The gifb was valued by a competent valuer in London in 1886, which appeared in the London Timos, £30,000, Since then it has been increased about £5000. Dr. Laishley then referred to what Sir George had done in securing endowments for the city of Auckland. He then went on to speak of Sir George as a philosopher, linguist, orator, traveller, and explorer, and then passed on to combat objections raised to the proposition. He entirely disagreed from those who hold that recognition should nob be made of the old statesman's services until after death.

Mrs. Kerr seconded the proposition. Mr. G. M. Reed supported the proposition. • It was, he said, a source of very greab gratification to him to join' in the movement for erecting a permanent memorial to Sir George Grey. There waa a fitness in this as well as a pleasure to him (the speaker), as.he was the. only survivor of that little band, the once famous deputation, which proceeded to Kawau to induce Sir George to leave his retirement and enter the stormy sea of political life in New Zealand. (Applause.) ' That deputation had consisted of Mr. W. Chisholm Wilson, Mr. Patrick Dignan, Mr. John Sheehan, and himself (the speaker). The first three had passed away, and ,he, that evening, seemed to - be speaking from beyond the grave. The incident of which' he had spoken had an important bearing on the purpose for which they were assembled that evening, for that meeting, he took it, was in a manner the winding up of that period of 20 years during which Sir George had faithfully and loyally acted as representative of the city of Auckland. (Applause.). Mr. Reed then narrated the circumstances attending the visit to the Kawau, when Sir George Grey had. been induced to enter political life, in which for many years he had played an influential part. Mr, Reed moved thab the' following should be added to the original motion :—"That as an expression of respectful and affectionate esteem from the people of Auckland to Sir George Grey, and in grateful recognition of hjg valuable gifts and eminent services to the city, the citizens of Auckland hereby resolve to erect a perpetual record of his worth." t : Dr. Laishlky explained that the original proposition was not his. .. Ib had been drawn up by the ladies, and had received their approval. Ib could be relied on thab these ladies had gone as far as they thought it was prudent to go. r . .". ;l . : ii The addition was then put to the meeting and agreed to. ~ . : | ; On' being pub the amended proposition; was unanimously carried. f Mr. F. G. EwiNGTON then moved, That in pursuance of the desire expressed, a marble statue be, by public subscription, erected in this • city, either in the Park or in or adjacent bo the Free Public Library and Art Gallery, or in some other con-

spicuoua place in the city which Sir George may indicate ; that subscriptions be forthwith collected for the purpose ; that all subscribers to the fund for the erection of the statue be invited also to sign an address, to be prepared by the committee, congratulating Sir George Grey upon the near approach of the.' jubilee of his arrival in Auckland. These signatures shall subsequently be bound up with an illuminated copy of the address and forwarded to Sir George Grey, together with a request that he will deposit the volume in the Free Public Library at Auckland as a permanent record of the subscribers to the fund." ; Mrs. Collings seconded, and referred to the help given by Sir George to the movement to {rive women the franchise. The women,' she said, had made up their minds for the statue. (Laughter and applause.) .They wanted every man, woman, and child to contribute. . Mr. Fowlds supported the proposition. Mr. Gokdon asked that the part of the proposition requesting Sir George Grey to hand back the lists should be eliminated. He moved to this effect.

Mr. Ewxn-gton replied. Mr. G. M. Reed seconded Mr. Gordon's amendment. On the voice of the meeting it was decided to strike out the words. The amended proposition was then unanimously agreed to. A committee was formed to carry out the resolutions.

PROPOSED CHAMBER OF MINES.

On August 15, in tho long room of the Insurance Buildings, a largely-attended and representative meeting was held, for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a Chamber of , Mines for Auckland. -Mr. Seymour Thome George was voted ;to the chair, and amongst those resent were: Colonel Burton, Messrs. ixon, J. Dickey, T. J. Steele, Vines, T. Motrin, W. S. Wilson, C. C. McMillan, James Russell, A. G. Horton, Alfred Nathan, J. M. Dargaville, W. Ledingham, Mack ay, R. Spratt, Waymouth, Bloomfield, Barnes, J. R. Gray, A. Kidd, Purchas, Ryan, R. Rose, John Chambers, Graves Aickin, Wright, H. Gorrie, W. Gorrie, John Abbott, Smith, M. Clarke, G. S. Kissling, Davis, H. Gilfillan, jun., etc. The Chairman in opening the proceedings dwelt upon the advisability of estabj lishinga Chamber of Mines, 'and enumerated the- various ways in which such a body would promote and protect the mining interests of tho colony. He moved, " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a Chamber of Mines should be formed, to be called the Auckland Chamber of Mines and that a committee bo appointed for the purpose of drawing out a constitution."

Mr. John Abbott seconded.

The proposition was unanimously agreed to, and a committee was elected to draft a constitution. At a subsequent meeting the articles of association were adopted. It was stated that 140 gentlemen had signified their intention of joining Mr. S. T. George was elected president, Colonel Burton vice-president, and the following 24 were elected to form the Council:—Messrs. W. S. Wilson, James Russell, Thomas Morrin, Robert Rose, A. G. Hortou, N. A. Nathan, Henry Brett, C. C. McMillan, W. Gorrie, M. A. Clark, Johu Chambers, W. Bloomfield, Graves Aickin, G. S. Kissling, Alfred Kidd, John Owen, James McGowau, Lomas Smith, James Macfarlane, J. R. Gray, E. M. Corbett, P. Diguan, D. W. Duthie, and R. Spratt. The names are in order of nomination and not of voting. Messrs. Jackson and Russell were appointed solicitors to the Chamber, and Mr. E. Waymouth was appointed auditor.

At the annual meeting of the Northern Boob and Shoe Manufacturing Company, limited, held on Sept. 2. tho net profit was shown to be £569 12s lid, which, together with the net balance from last year, made a total of £2500 19s 4d at credit of Profit and Loss Account, the largest amount reached to date. A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum was declared. The usual 10 per cent, was written off Plant Account for depreciation. The stock was increased by £161. The company's liabilities were reduced by £802, and show a total of £5312, t-ifie lowest yet recorded. Messrs. J. L. Wilson and R. C. Carr were re-elected directors.