PUBLIC MEETING AT LAWRENCE —MAJOR CROKER'SREMOVAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 712, 21 July 1865, Page 1

PUBLIC MEETING AT LAWRENCE —MAJOR CROKER'S REMOVAL.

(Abridged from the Tuapeka Recorder Extra.)

This afternoon a monger open air meeting took place at the vacant ground towards the head of Peel street, to consider the proposed removal of Major Croker the Resident Warden, from Tuapeka to Mount Benger. In addition to the placards that were distributed throughout the district convening the meeting, a piper, accompanied by two flag bearers, visited the various outlying districts with the view of beating up a numerous attendance. Shortly before three o'clock, a long procession of miners and others, headed by the piper in question, playing a lively air, made its appearance in Peel street. The procession Tfas there largely augmented by the town's ,

people, who joined its r ( anks as it moved on to the place of meeting. When the T«rhole assemblage met. around the speakers' platform, there could not have been fewer than 500 persons present. John Mouat, Esq., M.P.C., yras unanimously voted to preside. In introducing the business of the meeting, the chairman said that such a large assemblage of the gold fields population as the present, wa« entitled to consideration at the hands of the Government. He 9aid so, because •upon making a careful calculation, he found that about half the revenue was derived, directly or indirectly, from the gold fields ; and they were not receiving anything like their proper proportion of it. Where had they a single mile of good road on the -whole of the Tuapeka gold fields ? He believed Government was economising in the wrong place. It was only recently that they refused to make a culvert for Waipori ; while at the same time, it was brought out in a court of justice, that the public money was being thrown away in contracts. The Government was trying to pave a paltry sum by reducing the staff of officers on the gold fields ; and at the same time they were throwing away thousands upon the streets of Dimedin. The chairman, who was frequently interrupted by loud cheers, conciuded amid prolonged applause, by calling upon Mr Strong, who came forward to support the first resolution. In doing so, he adverted at considerable length to the folly of the proposal made by Government to place Tuapeka, Waipori, Waitahuna, tbe Woobhed and the Beaumont, under the charge of one single "Warden. If tbe Government was mad enouyh. to imagine that it could divide the one Warden into two, and make each of { the halves exercise the function ofWardeD, at the same time, in separate localities, then he, the speaker, could understand the proposal (laughter and cheers). Mr Stroug proceeded to pass a warm eulo-^ gium upon Major Croker. The speaker's claim, at the Blue Spur, had been a most prolific source of litigation, and he felt certain he only echoed the sentiments of every miner present, when he faid that his decisions had alwaj s been upright, straightforward, and conscientious. — (Loud ■ applause.) The motion he held in hi 3 hand was a preliminary step_, framed with the view oi retaining in this district, the services of this valuable officer. The speaker Tead it as follows:—" That this meeting, viewing with great alarm and dissatisfaction the proposed removal of Major Croker, herehj' expresses its firm conviction that one Warden will never be able to do the work of the district, inasmuch as the constant presence of the Warden at Tuapeka is essential." Mr Russseli seconded the motion, which ■was supported by Mr G.ove and Mr Donovan and carried unanimously.

Mr D. Campbell proposed, and Mr Keen seconded, thefollowing motion, which was also unaninrnously agreed to : " That a deputation be appointed to proceed to Dunedin, to piesfnt the following petition to the Provincial Government, praying them to reconsider the proposed removal of Major Croker as Warden of this district."

The following is th Q petition adopted :—: — "TO THOMAS DICK, 1:50.., M.T.C, PROVIN-