THE WILLIAM MISKIN.

West Coast Times, Issue 343, 29 October 1866, Page 2

THE WILLIAM MISKIN.

Public Meeting.

In accordance with an advertised request — numerously and influentially signed — whbh was published in Saturday's issue, a public meeting was convened by the chairman of the Municipal Council, and duly held in the afternoon at the Prince of VVales Opera Hou->e, the use of which had been kindly granted for the occasion by Mr Bartlett.

At half-past two o'clock the chair was taken by Mr Bonar, who was supported on the platform by many of the leading citizens of the town. He opened the meeting by stating that considerable apprehension being entertaiued of the safety of the William Miskin, which was then a fortnight overdue at the port, he had been requested to call a meeting for the purpose of taking steps to send a vessel in search of her, and whilst deeply regretting the occasion which had called them together believed it would prove less serious than many imigined. He was requested by Mr Royse (of the fiim Eoyse, Mudie and Co.) agent for the vessel, to apologise for his enforced absence, which was caused by ill-health. He, however, authorised the speaker to state to the meeting that the agents were fully convinced the Miskin was above water and only detained down South by adverse winds, and that the first slant from the S.W. would bang her up. The Ch;.irn»au called upon Mr Button (barrister) to move the first resolution.

Mr Button, on coming forward, said he deeply regretted the necessity which had arisen for calling the meeting together, but could not but feel gratified that the appeal made upon the sympathy of the public had drawn together so large an assemblage as he then saw before him. It wa3 quite possible (as the Miskin was not given up for lost) that she might make her appearance in the roadstead in time to stay auy further proceedings in the waj' of sending a vessel to her relief • still her long delay led to the assumption that something unusual had occurred tbat placed her in a position froui which she was uuable ro extricate heiself without assistance. Moreover were it only out of consideration to those who, had Mends on board her it would be an act of cruelty not to send a vessel to her relief, as some even then mi>>ht be sufferingfconi hunger or perishing through exposure. But admitting that, save, being detained by .adverse svinds, all was well with her, it would redound to the credit of a British and Christiau public, if a vessel was sent out to ascertain her fate. Those who had assembled there that day were met for the purpose of responding to the appeal tuado in her behalf, and he (the speaker) felt certain they would do all in their power lo aid the missing vessel. He hud much pleasure in proposing the following resolution : — " That a committee, with power t > add to its number, be at once formed, for the purpose of collecting subscriptions from the citizens of Hokitika and other places in Westland, in order to search for the missing vessel William Miskin, and to adopt such steps as may seem advisable for that view." In support of the resolution the speaker said that nothing could be done without money, and it was well known that the Government were not in a position to undergo the expense of bending a vessel. But those assembled there that day represented the Government, public and all ; and on them devolved the duty of raising'the necessary funds. Therefoi c a committee should be at once formed, vested with very large discretionary powers.

Mr Shuw rose to second the above resolution. He declared that Mr Button had left him but little to say. At the same time he must express the anxiety he felt for the fate of his fellow creatures who were on board the missing craft. He did not suppose that anything very serious had happened to her, and believed she was merely detained by. foul weather in one of the Sounds down south. Still in his opinion every right thinking man would not leave a stone unturned to give effect to the resolution proposed by his friend, Mr Button, and which he had very great pleasure in seconding. The Chairman in putting this resolution, said that Captain TurnUull had informed him that the Government were prepared to render what assistance they could, and as the telegraph wires were broken down hetweeu this and Christchurch, copies of a telegram to the Bluff and Dunediu, were placed upon the Claud Hamilton, and would be forwarded at the first port where the line was found to be in working order. Tie chairman then submitted the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Harvey (barrister) rose to move the second resolution, which he said n quired no comment, a3 the wording was ex (

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pressive in itself. — "That the following gentlemen be a committee to collect subscriptions, and to make all necessary arrangements in order to carry out the purport of the previous resolution : — Messrs Anderson, Bonar, Bartlett, Edwards, Brown, Shaw, Collins, Dick, Klein, and Roberts."

Mr Brown seconded the resolution,- and hoped ifwould be acted upon, as no one could tell what sufferings the crew and passengers were enduring, therefore the sooner something was done the better. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair, and another to Mr Bartlett, for the use of the theatre, terminated the proceedings, which were marked by quiet enthusiasm and great order.