PUBLIC MEETING

Otago Witness, Issue 482, 23 February 1861, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING-

A public meeting, called by requisition to the Sheriff, was held in the Court-house on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of testing public opinion as to the person best qualified to fill the office of Superintendent in. 1 the %V"ent of a vacancy. The Hall was crowded in almost every part, and during some of the J proceeding's a portion of the meeting became extremely noisy, so much' so that j several I speakers could scarcely obtain a hearing, ■> The Chair waa. occupied *bV 'A. C. Strode, ; Esq., who found it ifo eiwy -task 'to maintain i order in the meeting. ,?u ij ><,".:? i Mr. Lambert came, forward. to, .« propose* Major Richardson as a fit and proper person"

to fill the office of Superintendent in the event of a vacancy. He had not intended to obtrude himself so early upon the notice of the meeting, but he had just been requested -to subniit the proposal just read to t|iem. It was not mere common -place on this occasion, to say that, if this meeting might be 'supposed to represent the opinion of the ; whole Province, it was as important a one as had ever, taken place in Otago, or perhaps in New Zealand ; for they were called upon, under .very trying , circumstances, not only to take the initiatory steps for placing a fit man at the head of the affairs of the Province, but to maintain the character of the community, and prove their fitness for governing themselves under representative institutions. It was their, duty to choose a mim of high character, of integrity, firmness, and ability, and who possessed an acquaintance with public affairs — a man whom the Province would not be ashamed to acknowledge as its head, and who would be qualified to take the lead in the important crisis at which we had arrived. The disruption of the Province was now virtually accomplished, and our whole, Government establishment and expenditure would need revision, while many difficult questions w.ould require solution. The field from which they had to select the best man was unfortunately a cir- * cumscribed one, but he believed .Major Richardson united in himself the necessary qualifications to a much greater extent than any whose names had been brought forward. That gentleman had not come forward voluntarily, but at the urgent request of his friends, who had no personal or party object to attain, but who had the welfare of the Province at heart. If elected, however, he would devote himself wholly to the affairs of the Province, which he (Mr. L.) believed he would conduct . with credit and advantage; and remain in. office at least until we had got upon the right | track, and until a more enlfghtened state of public opinion convinced the electors of the necessity of their taking a more intelligent interest in the choice of their rulers than was generally displayed at present. He would' ; cordially propose Major Richardson. ' Mr. C. Hobertson seconded the motion. Major Richardson, who was received with cheers and hisses, said — I .thank you for the ! mingled applause and disapprobation with | which my name has been "received as a fit and proper person for the office of Superintendent, should a vacancy occur. I would more particularly thank those who have indulged in "the latter demonstration, because the N attacks of an open and avowed opponent are always more acceptable to me than the blow of a, concealed and insidious adversary. When I left town about a fortnight since, 1 urged, in reply to the earnest requests of my friends that I would come forward in case of a vacancy^ occurring, that any steps for filling such vacancy were premature ; that the Governor's decision on the case under investigation should be 'first received; and further, that only undergone contingency would I accept office. Others, j however, entered the field as candidate?, and ! it was deemed desirable that I should come to a decision at once. I did not hesitate a moment. I decided that, should I receive a written requisition, numerously and influentially signed by electors in town and country, I would at once place myself at their disposal. As I have been called upon to express my views, I will ask you to pardon me should I appear too positive in ' my statements; I would rather offend yon by my blunthess of speech tban run the chance of misleading you by any ambiguity of expression. !T_ dt> not desire the office for which the projipaal before the meeting declares that I nm a fit and proper person ; on the contrary I ,have many and urgent reasons of a personal, domestic, and political nature to decline' it ; and when the question is taken up by the eleetora-in general, I shall rejoice if 'their choice falls upon any other who in general estimation will uphold the character of^the Province, and earnestly devote himself to its interests. I will yield to no man in grateful appreciation of public esteem, but- 1 should be content with the knowledge that I possessed that esteem, were I so fortunate, without desiring any outward exhibition of it. With the province in the throes of a crisis arislifg from a change in the price of land, 'with a disruption of its unity almost a nmtter J of certainty, with an exhausted treasury, 1 a stant drain on the revenue for public works; and immigration, and a clond hovering over its credit, I envy not the man Avho would willingly take the helm in such troublous times ; there is everything to deter a prudent man, nothing but a sense* of duty to invhe him. Should Ibe requested to stand in case of a vacancy, I would decline all pi edges,, as inconsistent with our intitutions ; " btfcßl would voluntarily aud cheerfully give one unsolicited, and that is to nt re from the post, if elected, at the very earliest period at whitift, in my opinion, the present excitement shall be allayed, and thus restore to the electors the power they bad confided to me. If there be'a doubt of the sincerity of ray intention?, "the remedy is in your hands— do not confine "* trust to a man you do not consider . trustworthy. . My. sentiments on political subjects, are already well known. I will not weary \ you by repeating them, but would-* earnestly entreat every elector, as he values his privileges and the institutions under which be is so" happily placed, to exercise his right, to weigh well the position .in which the province is at present, and to give a hearty support to the person who, in his opinion, best deserves it. In reply to a question from Mr. Fisher as ! to what he would do with the land question, Major Richardson said he would leave it as it was ; and also in reply to a query as *to whether he wonld apply l-20th, l-3Qth, or I -40th of the land sales to Educational purposes, he stated that thcclecision of such points rested with the Provincial Council, white suggestions emanated from the Execui tive, of which the Superintendent had only a vote like the other members; however, Jie would express his opinion that as a tinxe vvhuid come when the revenue from decreased land sales could not bear the burthen of theannual Education grant, it would he wise to provide at once by a moderate Educational endowment, so as to avoid future taxation, though he had no doubt thnt the schools would ift many cases be self-supporting. On Mr. Miller asking what he would dowith the "Trust Fund for Educational, and Religious Uses," Major Richardson stated tlias he wonld further every legitimate effort, if the question were introduced, to carry put the 1 intention of the trust deed, which appropriated the fund to certain specified purposes e^lju,sively to the Presbyterian Church, ; to, which it alone belonged ; and on its being observed by some individual that the explanation was merely an electioneering dodge .to catch^leP" 1 tors, and on being asked whether he w.ould urge for a division' of the Trust property among all denominations, Major Richardson remarked that he left,electioneerinj; dodgestb those who would stoop to use them- LL tHath& was a member of the Chnreh of Englarid. to. which he was siiicerely'} attached— aiid that he would oppose as a breach of trust any deviation of the funds from thee pja^oaes' originally [der signed, viz., the religious educational benefit of a Presby terian "people in connection with the' Church of Scotland, unless , such deviation originated from the Trustees;; ' ; - 1 "- In reply to another question from the same . party, respecting immigratipn,.Majqr;Ricpi|rttson remarked that he would^dvocate tMcgfttinuance of the present systenx^hUef |uida were available. ! . ,-iWt &^4 H W , Therft was also . some ,Oth% »W#G%Jt» ■certain sections of )l*nd,iwhicb;^a.s^natgf^ < jnteHigibler' > "HQW*ver,-^t^(^sVei^^iS^^to' , dreising" every : - grieyan^r^^l^^^^^g^-

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whether it was not the opinion of some that lie had been too inquisitive — not too lax, as the questioner appeared to think. No further questions' having been put, Major Kichardson resumed his seat. Mr. Dalton asked the Chairman if he was aware whether the present Superintendent's resignation had been accepted ; to which the Chairman replied that he could not say whether such was the case. Then, said Mr. Daltoa, it is the would-be Superintendents that are putting themselves forward. Mr. It Murray rose to speak, and was interrupted by being told that he was not an elector. The Chairman overruled the objection, and , Mr. Murray resumed,' who proceeded to state that he was about to propose an individual well known to the electors, — one who iad recently filled, a. high position in the, Province, — who was a person of active business habits, of strict integrity and sterling honesty, and every way well fitted Jo fill the office of Superintendent. It had been raised as an objection that he had not been long enough in the Province, and was not so old a colonist as many others here ; but if not so here, yet he was virtually an old colonist from'his residence in other colonies. The gentleman he would propose was Mr. Thomas Dick, whom he considered well qualified to be Superintendent of this Province. The motion having been seconded, Mr. Dick rose and stated that he would have stood as a candidate if Major Richardson had not come forward, but since that gentleman had consented to stand, he would gladly leave the field in favour of him. Mr. Feger a asked the Chairman if he was sure there would be a vacancy { — to which the Chairman replied, that the meeting was called to nominate candidates for the office in the event of a vacancy. Mr. Feger thought the nominating of candidates before the office was vacant, was like burying a man before he was dead. - Mr. lck expressed surprise at. the remarks of Mr. Feger,' who had signed the requisition calling the meeting. Mr. E. B. Cargill said, that as several candidates' had been proposed, and as it would be well to know the feelings of the electors respecting the candidates whom they were looking out for to fill the office of Superintendent in, the event of a vacanc}', he thought it would not.be out of place, in order to elicit discussion, for him to name another suitable person, Mr. William Henry Cutten, as well qualified to be Superintendent of this Province. He perhaps had a feeling to see that gentleman in that-offiee, for which he hoped the meeting would excuse him; but it must be remembered that Mr. Cutten had from the beginning of the settlement taken a very active part in public affairs, and had sacrificed no little time and labour for the interests of the Province. Mr, Cutten, with only three hours' notice, had been called away on- Monday to Auckland on the public business of this Province ; and he went away in the belief that Major Richardsoa would not really stand for the Superintendency; and although Mr. Cutten, if present, would in all likelihood have appeared as the supporter of Major Kichardson, he (Mr. Cargill) did feel that there was a degree of awkwardness in the idea of Mr. Cutten having gone away under the full belief that he would be required to stand, and that now, in consequence of communication with Major Kichard«on of 'which he had not been informed, his name; should be altogether withdrawn. At ariyrate, it was. due to Mr. Cutten that if his name, wasi.brought forward- at all, it should not be at the end of the tail. For- these reatons he took upon himself the duty which perhaps might with better grace have been performed by another, ot proposing Mr. Cutten.' In doing so, he had hot the slightest wish to place Mr. Cutten in the position of rival or antagonist- to Major Richardson, and he would not attempt, therefore, to make any -comparison of their respective merits. He was assured that these gentlemen had the highest respect each for the other, and further, that either one of them would be ready to withdraw from the field and give his support to the other, on the expression of his wish to that effect. He did not believe that anything said at that meeting would have any effect on the result of the election. The meeting only served, as a starting point, or a fust step towards fixture operations. — With these explanations, he begged to move as an amendment — "That Mr. William Henry Cutten is the fit and proper person to be elected to the office of Superintendent of the Province of Otago in the event of a vacancy."* ' Mr. John Jones said, that as Mr. Macandrew's resignation had not been accepted, the meeting should adjourn until the time arrived for the election of a Superintendent, and he had no doubt, if that gentleman's resignation was' accepted, and his circumstances permitted, but that the peopleof Otago would re-elect him. This elicited quite a tumult of cheers and hisses, which lasted for several minutes, and those parties who rose to address the meeting could not obtain a hearing, until Mr Jones bad put his amendment in writing, which was as follows : — v That this meeting be dissolved, as the present time is not the time to call a public meeting, as James llacandrew has not received any notice from his , Excellency the Governor whether his resignation has been received." - Mr. Sibbald seconded the amendment. Mr. J. R. Hood, seconded by Mr. Ebenezer* Brown, moved: — "That it is the opinion of this meeting, that should there be a vacancy in the Superintendency of this Province, that James Macandrew is a fit "and proper person to be so." Mr. D. Millar, jun., was astonished that electors should propose to Te-elect Mr. Macandrew as Superintendent, when that gentleman had already betrayed the confidence reposed . in him by the public. It was suggested that, in order to test the opinion of the meeting, a show of hands should be token for the several candidates. • Mr. T. B. Gillies here stepped forward to address the' meeting,, and, strangely enough, was received with , mingled cheers and hisses. Order having been at last restored, Mr. Gillies said he rose to, speak to the amendment put by Mr. Jones, and from the reception which he' (Mr. Gillies) had just received, it might be that something not very favourable to.them'was about to fall from his lips; but his chief object in rising was to refer to the order of the proceedings of the meeting. A public meeting, as thoee present were aware, was called for nominating snch candidates as the electors might consider qualified to fill the .office of jSuperintendeut ; but an amendment had been put forward by Mr Jones, with the .view of burking the proceedings, which was -most injudicious. ,The electors were called together to express their opinion as to the best candidate ; and, as to the Superintendency not being vacant, no vacancy was asserted ; but, according to Mr. Sibbald's statement, Mr. MMacanarew s "resignation had been received by the Governor, but not accepted until a certain report, was also received. With reference to TV* s*?ffi s » he had not been proposed to the "-iheetiHgi although Mr. Jones, the mover of the had signed the requisition to that gentleman to come forward. As to the candidates which hid- been proposed, either of them was capable of filling, the office of Superintendent f4>ut he must confess he had a leaning ~t&' Miyor^Rie&ardsorii,^,;He[ did riot approve of hi "by any, back) door, or Jbling^oi^inaledibyany^ selpcjfc Jneeting called '4>y.£o^epimeut .officers; the, proper- .way to baW proposed him at the )KP^ 'WfflwM^feefcdnf publicly conf enea* . >Js^»'j§9 ul ft %&.*•s. intended, be jenterteined -by meeting. I (Cheers).: . „ .*/ ;, fcitlfr* Switzfer said that the requisition to Mr.

Morris had been drawn up by a few friends at a hole-and-corner meeting held the other evening, and it was pretty well known, if elected, he would act as a warming-pan for Mr. Macandrew, with whom he had a perfectly good understanding. Mr. R. B. Mariin, as one of Mr. Morris' requisitionists, repudiated the statement made by Mr. Switzer, and stated that Mr. Morris would act entirely independent of Mr. Macandrew. Mr. Jones requested the Chairman to put his amendment to the meeting. [A Voice. — " Put it in the fire."] Mr. Jones said that Mr. Cutten in last week's Witness had named, Major Richardson, Mr. .Young, and Mr. Cargill, as candidates for the Superintendency, and then casts a slur on them by stating that if they were not suitable, he would make a sacrifice and come forward himself. Major Richardson said he could not allow Mr. Cutten, in- his absence, to be slandered by the construction Mr. Jones had put upon that gentleman's remarks, and repudiated the observations made by him. Mr. W. C. Young wished to set the public right as to the remark made by Mr. Jones in reference to his. name being mixed up with the' Superintendency, which he, previous to his name appearing in the newspaper, knew nothing of; but he could safely state that he was not an aspirant to that office, for it would not suit him to give up his business to undertake the duties of a Superintendent. He thought Mr. Jones must have misunderstood the matter. Mr. E. M'Glashan stated that he had been induced to put his name to the requisition calling this meeting, in consequence of a meeting having been previously held to nominate Mr. Morris ; and his object for doing so was to obtain public opinion as to the most eligible person to fill the office of Superintendent. Mr. Morris was no doubt an able man, but he (Mr. M'Glashan) would like to see some one elected to that office who was well acquainted with the public affairs. If it was wished that Mr. Morris should be a candidate, why was he not proposed to this large meeting. Mr. Jones was chairman of the meeting held the other evening, and his name also appeared at the head of the requisition to Mr. Morris; it was therefore unfair in Mr Jones or some of his supporters not proposing that gentleman tonight. Mr. D. Millar, jun., said that whatever Mr. Macandrew was, he had without doubt been a father to a good many here, and this meeting should express its disapprobation of those parties who had turned their back upon him at the last hour. The Chairman then put Mr. Jopes' amendment for which was lost. Mr CargilFs proposition for Mr. Cutten was put and negatived. Mr. Hood's amendment proposing Mr. Macandrew was submitted to the meeting and lost. The Chairman then put the original motion for Major Richardson, which was carried by acclamation. Major Richardson briefly returned thanks to the electors, who gave three cheers and one cheer more for the Major. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for his arduous duties in the chair, terminated the proceedings of one of the most uproarious meetings we have witnessed in Dunedin for many years. Dunedin Volunteers.— Our Rifle Volunteers have of late been exercising pretty regularly on Bell Hill, and are now so far advanced with their drill as to be able to" enter upon the musket exercise, which, we believe, will commence next week. We hear that there is frequently a great paucity of attendance at drill 5 but as the next course of exercise is with the rifle, it is anticipated that the muster roll will be answered, bj' a greater number and more steady attendance ; at least it ought to be so, if they wish to merit the name of British Volunteers^ of whom Britain and her Colonies have become so proud, and France and other nations so envious. As our Volunteeers are now to be furnished with rifles, the next essential thing is the uniform to be worn ; to consider which a meeting was held on Tuesday at the Court-house, Mr. Dick in the chair. Various colours .were suggested, and their merits discussed, when a green uniform seemed to obtain favour, and a committee was appointed to call for tenders for the same, the committee to report at a future meeting Perhaps it may not be out of place in us to state here that the Wellington Volunteers have lately received from home their uniform, which is stated to be of silver grey ; but we refer for further information to the paragraph under the head Wellington, in another column. The Airedale, from the northern Provinces, arrived here on Saturday last, and returned north on Monday evening, conveying among her passengers, Mr. Cutten (Chief Commissioner) and Dr. Knight (Auditor-General) to Auckland. It is expected the Airedale will be back about the 12th of next month.