PUBLIC MEETING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3176, 17 July 1879, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

VOTE OF THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEEIIS.

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, for tho purpose of giving expression to the public feeling in Tarauaki towards the Volunteers of other Provinces, who have offered themselves for active service, and other matters connected with the present state of affairs, was held last evening in the Freemasons Hall* Tho attendance was not large, owing, no doubt, to several other meetings — religious meetings, volunteer parades, and tho Philharmonic Society's concert — all being held on the same evening.

The Mayor was voted to the chair, and commenced the proceedings by reading the advertisement convening the meeting. He said that the lirst part oC the advertisement, as to the object of the meeting, was explicit enough — to thank tho volunteers who had offered their services— and he did not think there would be two opinions on the subject. The last part he had added to the advertisement, because tho advertisement was put in a week ago, and anything might have happened between then and now which if would have been desirable for the meeting to consider, lie would also state that he was of opinion the meeting might have thought it desirable to thank the Hawcra settlers for the action taken by them in \egar<l v to the native disturbance. The Government might not have adopted the decisive measures they did had it not been for tho Hawora settlers. He noticed a paragraph in the Herald, stating that it was intended to consider the Governor's speech, but as far as he was concerned there was no such intention. He thought it would be as well for the meeting to decide whether they would entertain the subject of public works. , Something similar had been done at Ilawcra, aud ho did not see why they should not adopt the same course. He was sorry to sec such a small attendance, but that no doubt was accounted for by tho various other meetings that were being held that night. He had no idea that there would be so many other meetings or he would not have convened the mooting for that night, lie would leave it to the meeting whether in view of the small attendance tho business should be gone into or whether the mcc ing would adjourn. . Mr. Hulke said it was unfortunate the mooting had been called for that evening, and he would propose " That the meeting be adjourned until Saturday at 2 o'clock at the Institute." He thought the country people had a right to be present as well as tho people living iv town. A statement had appeared in the Herald which he thought would be injurious to the district, and he thought it should be considered at the next meeting. In regard to the paragraph in the Herald stating that the Governor's speech was to be considered at the meeting, he thought he could account for it. He with several others had been waiting until the Governor's speech was published to see what it would contain respecting native matters, and they had intended to' call a mooting upon tho subject. Ho made no secret of it, and that no doubt ■was tho cause of its appearing iv the paper. Mr. Jones asked what misstatcinents had appeared iv print ? He thought the meeting should bo made acquainted with the facts of tho statement. He did not think that there was sufficient reason shown to adjourn the meeting.

Mr. llulkk said he was quite prepaicd to make tho statement known to the meeting if the meeting decided to hear it.

The Chairman said there was a proposition before the meeting which had not been socoiuled, and he could not allow discussion until the resolution had been duly seconded.

Mr. Jones said he would second the resolution jure* forma.

Mr. E. M. (Smith proposed as an amendment that the business of the meeting bo proceeded with, lie thought it would look very bad for the meeting to adjourn because there was not a sullicient attendance. The mover of the resolution stated that the district was in a critical position, and he would like to ask him (Mr. llulke) if he had made it any better, or if he had not made it worse, by his writings ? The Chairman called tho speaker to order.

Mr. Mclaughlin seconded the amendment.

Mr, Courtney said he would advise Mr. Kulkc not to make his statement at the present meeting, as what he had to say concerned tho countiy settlers, and they were the proper people to refute thoso statements. He thought it would bo advisable for the meeting to adjourn until Saturday, as the settlers' had no opportunity of attending the meeting.

Mr. Vivian said if Messrs. Ilulkc and Courtney wanted a meeting of country settlers it should bo done through the Chairman of the County Council, and nob by the Mayor. He thought this was a meeting of the burgesses, called by the Mayor, and had nothing to do with (he country settlers, lie was of opinion that it would be a disgrace to adjourn the meeting. If Mr. llulke wanted a meeting for political purposes, he thought Mr. Ilulke should call one for himself.

The Ciiaihman said it was not intended to adjourn tho meeting for political purposes ; it was merely on. account of the small attendance.

Mr. D. Atkinson said they should have nothing to do with politics at that meeting. They had met there for the purpose of thanking the volunteers and not for political purposes. Ho thought there could be no diversity of opinion as regards the object of the meeting if politics were left out.

Tho Chairman then put the amendment to the meeting, " that the business be proceeded with," and it was declared carried.

Mr. Courtney objected to the voting, saying that several boys had voted.

Some of those present here left the room — including Messrs. Itulkcand Courtney.

The Chairman said the carrying of (he amendment did not appear to have pleased a number of people judging from the few that were left. lie was sorry that any political feeling had been introduced. They had assembled for the purpose of thanking the volunteers and not for political purposes.

Mr. D. Atkinson thought that il was proper to abide by (lie decision of the meeting, and go on with the business. He was sorry to sec so many persons had lcfl the room • — they should have allowed themselves to bo ruled by the majority of the meeting. He would propose, " That this meeting desires to express its hearty thanks to the volunteers throughout the Colony who have so gallantly offered their services on this coast,

Mr. Vivian seconded the resolution. He thoug'it it showol a very bad spirit by those who had left the room.

Mr. E. M. Smith supported the resolution. Tli3y had come there that evening for a definite purpose — to thank tho volunteers, aud yet some persons tried to make a political mooting 1 f it. . If tho meeting had not- put tho.se persons down at once it would have re» solved itself into a political gathering. Mr. Jones siicl ho felt it was his duty to ask Mr. llulke what the mis-slatcmouts wore to which he alluded. They should not allow such remarks to go uuchallongod. Mr. Courtney had stated there were boys present in the mooting who voted. Out of tho four boys who voted, two of them were volunteers, and ho thought they were entitled to vole-t-thcy were able to carry a rifle. It was a weak subterfuge to stale that the voting was improper. In referring to tho object of the mooting, it was advertised that tho mooting was to consider other matters connected with the state of affairs here. He thought Mr. Hulke should have, stated to the meeting what thoso misstatements wore which ho complained of.

Mr. lUohmond expressed sorrow to sec so small an attendance, and at the opening of the meeting he was doubtful whether it would not bo better to defer the mooting ; but when the resolution was passed he considered it was his duly to remain and work with the majority. He thought there should bo another meeting called so that the settlers could attend. lie did not think Mr. Hulke wished to make it a political meeting, and Mr. Smith was wrong in saying so. Ho simply wanted to make a statement of facts, and the reason ho had not made them known to the mooting was more on account of tho rough way ho had boon treated than anything else. The Chairman, in putting tho motion to the meeting, said he did not^think there was any likelihood of anyone voting against it. If there was a dispute between Mr. llulke and the newspapers he thought it should be settled by these parties, and not by tho mooting. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Chairman said before tho meotirig dispersed, he thought it might pass a resolution approving of the. conduct of the Hawera Koltlcis. That was chiefly what he meant in the advertisement when ho put " and for other matters." He had advertised many meetings before he had come to Taranaki, and in his experience he had sometimes found that a kind of saving clause like that which he had inserted as- to other " matters, &c," was of groat use to country settlers when they held their meetings. If they assembled for only one object then some other matters might turn up of great importance, and it would bo ruled out of order if tho meeting had boon called for one specific purpose. He merely throw out tho suggestion about tho Hawera settlors, antl it was for tho meeting to decide what was the proper course.

The meeting resolved not to entertain any other subject, and it was closed by a vole of thanks to tho Chairman.