CIAL SECRETARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 712, 21 July 1865, Page 2

CIAL SECRETARY.

" The humble petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the Tu^p?ka district, in Public Meeting assembled, showeth — That your petitioners have heard with extreme rigret, and great surprise, that it is the intention of the government to remove Major Croker, R.M., from this district, and at so short notice as to render the immediate action of your petitioners absolutely necessary. In requesting that the Government will re-consider the matter, and reverse its decision, your petitioners •would beg respectfully to call your atten- ' tion to the following iacts, viz : — " ;pj rL tt — That his removal will cause great loss to the miners iv thi3 district, inasmuch as a large number of ' Rights' now In existence wi re granted — subject to the discretionary powers of the Warden, at a time when the Mining Bye-laws were exceedingly imperfect, and until legislation provides for the advanced systems of mining, and the numerous 'Rights' attached to such, any new appointment to the Wardenship would most undoubtedly create great dissatisfaction amongst the mining cr>mm unity. Secoi dly— That Major Croker has occupied the position of Warden and R.M. for nearly four years, which period embraces almost the entire time during which the Gold Fields of Otago have existed." " Thirdly— That by the urbanity of bis manner, zealous discharge of his duties, patient attention to all cases brought before him, and the great impartiality of his decisions, together with the large amount of interest and trouble always taken by him in all public movements, Major Croker has won for himself the respect and esteem of every inhabitant ; thus rendering his threatened removal a source of great sorrow and annoyance to your petitioners." " Fourthly — That in consequence of the peculiarity of the workings in this district, some of which, still in their infancy, have

taken years to commence and will take still longer to develop and work out, it is essentially necessary for the prosperity of the district, that the Warden, who has long been here, and who consequently is well and intimately acquainted with all of these, should remain; and your petitioners assure you that his removal will in a thousand different ways retard the prosperity of the district, and put your petitioners to great loss", inconvenience, and trouble."

"Fifthly— That during his stay in the district, Major Croker has, by his influence, talent, and assiduity, largely contributed to the success of all our local institutions, such as the Hospital, the School, and various belies of religionists, all of which, should be be removed, will suffer greatly by the lo?°. "In conclusion — Your petitioners would call your attention to the high social position occupied by Major Croker in »his very large and important district, and press their earnest conviction that his- removal will, in a variety of ways too numerous to be here particularised, injure the wellbeing of the oldest, most nourishing, and valuable of the Gold Fields of this Province. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the matter may be reconsidered by the Government, and that some arrangements may bo made whereby the removal of Major Croker may be prevented. And your petitioners will ever pray." On tbe motion of Mr Bowe?, seconded by Dr Ilalley, the following gentlemen were appointed as the deputation: — Messrs Mouat, Wals'i, Herbert, Campbell, a'-d Chalmers. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. An opportunity was afterwards afforded to those present to sign the petition, and in a very short space, upwards of 500 1 names were adhibited.

At the close of the proceedings, the audience formed themselves into a procession, and headed by the piper, marched round the Court-house to the lawn in front of Major Croker's house, where tbree cheers were given in honor of Major Croker . This brought him to the door, and in a few feeling remarks, he thanked them for the interest they had taken in a matter so closely affecting himself, as an individual. He had, he said, heen amongst them for upwards of four years, and during the whole of that time, he had made it his endeavor to discharge the difficult duties that devolved upon him to the test of his ability. In doing so, he had often to come down upon some one ; at the same time, they all knew that he had only done so iv the discharge of his duty. (A.pplause.) He mads no nopretentions to be an orator; at the same time, he asked them to believe that he felt from the bottom of his heart, the exertions they made; and whether these exertions should prove successful or unsuccessful, he could assure them that he would long continue to bear in grateful remembrance, Tuapeka and its inhabitants. After again greeting Major Croker with cheers, the assemblage d'spersed.