PUBLIC MEETING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 1006, 30 July 1870, Page 6 (Supplement)

PUBLIC MEETING.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE MILLION LOAN.

The adjourned meeting from the sth July, at which a Committee was appointed to draw np a memorial to the House of Representatives, urging the strong claims of this part of New Zealand for its fair share of the million loan, ■was held on July 8, when thero was a good attendance. His Honor the Deputy Superintendent was in the chair.

Mr. Whitcombe proposed and Mr. Gledhill seconded, " That in the opinion of the petitioners, the guarantee of a loan of one million pounds to the Colony for the pnrposes of immigration and public works, has been made by the Imperial Government with a yievr to remedy as far as possible the disastrous results of the Maori rebellion, aud to make some provisions against the possibility of a future outbreak." — Carried.

Mr. Whitcombe proposed and Mr. Hulke seconded, " That these objects can be best effected by expending the loan principally in those districts which have suffered most in the war and are still liable to be the scenes of further outbreaks as the facilitation and extension of communication and attendant increase in tho number of settlers would prove the most effectual check to rebellion, and would consequently tend to promote the interest of the whole Colony by affording a guarantee against the necessity for the lavish expenditure consequent on a native ■war." — Carried.

Mr. Wuitcombe proposed and Mr. Burton seconded, " That the urgent claims of the middle district of the North Island be respectfully impressed on the House of Representatives — a district which was the birthplace and is still the focus of rebellion, and in which the safety of the settlers is only maintained by the presence of an armed force ; aud that it be further pointed ont that by rapidly pushing on such public works as will connect the isolated settlements and centres of European civilisation, and at the same time afford ready access to the hitherto all but inaccessible stronghold of rebellion, the wastelands may be ocenpied, immigration safely encouraged, the natives gradually civilised, and danger of future outbreaks lessened, and by degrees obviated ." — Carried .

On the resolutions being put, several speakers addressed the chair, after which the meeting separated.