Public Meeting at Paeroa.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2151, 25 November 1875, Page 2

Public Meeting at Paeroa.

(FBOM A GOBBESPONDJINT.}

The residents of Paeroa have had a treat—a genuine Pickwickian entertainment. The report of the proceedings, which I now furnish may be denied-r----many who were there may say that it is garbled and fictitiouiC'^'and the invention of the enemy/ Allow me,to meet their objections at once, and tell them that I know what transpired as well as they do, if not better; for I was sober.

At the hour 'appointed for the meeting there were about a dozen people congregated under the verandah of the Imperial Hotel,, when .a voice from, within .summoned them to' enter'/ They were loath feo dpso, and hesitated for along time. I was so. impressed at their obstinacy that I began to think, that the inscription "All hope abandon, &c." was written over the door. I looked aloft, but only found the simple legend— "

''iJKPEBIAIi HOTEL—PETEE AUSTIN " However, Mr Mooney (late .of the Government Annuities Department, and who, for the nonce, acted as bellman) tried his persuasive eloquence, and w,«s completely successful. As soon as they had gone in Mr Mooney said —"Gentlemen I proclaim the meeting opened."

A subscription list was at once handed round, and those present were asked to contribute.- ' *

Mr Snodgrass objected to the entire process, and said—l think when a crush of gentlemen assemble together to devise means to amuse the public it is highly improper to flaunt subscription lists,in their faces. It is very unparliamentary and not at all the right way of going about business. Besides I wish to inform you that you have neglected to appoint a chairman.

The room (a small one) began to be uncomfortably crowded, and Mr Mooney, with the view, no doubt, of expediting matters, advanced to the head of the table and said—

Ifc seems to be the general desire that I should he chairman on this special occasion. I shall at once accept the office, and the high honor conferred upon me ; bufcibmust be distagctly understood that whenl occupy a chair of this sort I must have the strictest order and discipline. I intend to act as seCTeTarjrlikewiseir antr you must allow me plenty of time to write the resolutions. He then.said-^I will be a subscriber and head the list. I shall put down my name as Bellman, and contribute one guinea.

Mr Austin here got up and objected to the proposal of the Chairman. He further said-rl protest against,the listj)eing headed in that manner. It trill be unbecoming and disgrace the cause if such is permitted.

The;Ghairman refused; to subscribe in any other way, and on insisting that he had a right to do as he pleased, the meeting was compelled to acquiesce. \ .The Chairman: Now .for, the business of the meeting; ' ; Mr Allen moved that the 3rd and 4th of January be the .days for the Paeroa sports.' Mr Goonan seconded the resolution. .•■•;■>■•■

The chairman, who was busy writing out the resolution, suddenly started up and announced that it was carried unanimously. On being reminded that it; had not yet been put, he remarked— -I am aware of that, but I am always ready to strain a point in the interests of this district. ,

Mr Austin thought the meeting was beginning tail foremost, and suggested that it should first decide whether or not they were to have the sports. The two following motions were then carried:— 1. That we have sports in the Christmas holidays. 2. That they come off on the 3rd and 4th of January: Mr Wodd here appeared on the scene, and said—l have come here to represent Mackaytown. I can see—and I regret it very much—-that v the whole audience are mere novices in sporting affairs. It takes me to put you through. I have had 25 years' experience in these matters, and I consider the. motions you have carried to be simply ridiculous. The sports should be held on Boxing Day, and not, at th&|fog end of the holidays, after people havWspent all their money. lam disgusted with the whole proceedings, and I can assure you you will not have any money from Mackaytown. Mr Cashel here interrupted the flow of oratory, and said—Before the business proceeds any further I should like to ask the Chairman a question.. Chairman : Well, what is it ? .'

Mr Cashel: If the 3rd January, is a Monday, what day of the week will the Ist January be. Tho Chairman—l am unable. straight off to answer such an abstruse problem, but if you consult the almanac you will soon find out.

Each one at the meeting now thought it incumbent on him to hold forth, when the chairman's stentorian voice was heard above the din—

Gentlemen, he said, I command silence, as I am about to say a few words on the subject. When I occupy a chair of this sort I always require the strictest order. Some of you may be offended at the able manner in which I have conducted the business, but order I will maintain careless of consequences. I rather favour the views of the last two speakers, and I can see no reason why we,can't have our sports on the regular holidays as well as others. We'should strike out a bold course and spread ourselves properly. Our advertisements should throw the down" country ones in the, shade; the type should be larger and the ink blacker 1 —aye, that it should. We should stand on our own bottom in the matter, and though it is difficult to put old heads

ion young shoiilders;'we should show the Colony that it is possible to have old heads in a young district. I believe conscientiously that there are thousands of fortunes,to be made at the Waitekauri if the fickle goddess "stands to us ; and that it possesses far more wealth than the Thames. I have decided to throw in my abilities, capital and energy among you. We must try and draw the people up here to see this beautiful district, and come they must; and though they, may not be able to say with the great Egyptian warrior—l came., I saw, I conquered, still some might say I came, I saw and was conquered. I say, gentlemen, that the Upper Thames does now, ;and will possess for some time, the grandest and most •■■•; scenery * in the world'} therefore I think we ought to stand on oar dignity, and that it is requisite and fit to hold the sports on the usual day a; ; Just then Mr Austin reminded the, Chairman that the question of dates had been disposed of by a previous motion. The Chairman: I -know it, but have I not already informed you that am willing to. strain a point fpr the good of the place. However I forbid any further discussion, and will now call upon the meeting to nominate a committee.

Nearly every one in the district was nominated on the committee, with H^l). Johnson as Secretary and Mr Aufpd Treasurer.

The Chairman, asked/the,' Treasurer what his first name was. , Treasurer: My Christian name is Peter, but people who'hare been here any time qught to know it without asking. „' The Chairman—Well, gentlemen, as the business is • about to conclude I will ask the treasurer if he is ready to receive subscriptions. While he was asking there was a simultaneous more of the crowd towards the door, and immediately, with commendable alacrity they left their warm precincts and dispersed without casting "a longing, lingering look behind." *v ,