MEMORIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1499, 22 February 1861, Page 4

MEMORIAL.

To His Excellency Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, C.8., Governor and Coramanderin chief, &c, in and over the Colony of New

Zealand. The Humble Memorial of the husbands and fathers of families sent as refugees from Taranaki to Nelson, and other relatives.

Respectfully Shewbth, —

That the wives and children of your memorialists and other relatives have been exposed to harshness, privation aud suffering, not nece« sarily consequent on the circumstance of their being forced from Taranaki to Nelson ; but arising chiefly from the uncourteous behaviour, and harshness of the agent employed to provide for their accommodation and necessities; your memorialists are of opinion, that, as their wives ana families have been taken from them, their natural guardians, without their consent, they have a right to expect sympathy and kindness, at least, will be shown by those who hare assumed the right of guardianship.

Your memorialists, together with other heads of families, sent a Memorial to the Provincial Council of Taranaki, when sitting in November last, a Select Committee was appointed to take evidence on the grievances complained of and report thereon. The Provincial Secretary was the chairman of that Committee the said committee did report thereon, and your memorialists now complain to your Excellency, that His Honor the Superintendent of this province, did not forward that report of the Committee, noi the evidence on which that report was based, thereby preventing your Excellency, forming, a just estimate of the grievances complained of. Your memorialists would respectfully draw your Excellency's attention to the fact that in the case of large families, the privation is very great, ten, having no more than seven ; and in reference to firing, a woman with two or three children, has the same as a woman with eight or ten.

Your memorialists have to complain of the way in which the benevolent contributions of communities and individuals, in aid of the refugees have been distributed. This subject calls for searching enquiry, neglect and waste, in some cases, and partiality and unfairness in others, sales of some things effected, and no accounts rendered, seem to demand an investigation into the agents accounts. Your memorialists suggest that the duties of the post office, may prevent proper time and attention being spared, for the due administration of the affairs, of the families of this province; and would suggest that another agent be appointed, whose time and attention would be wholly devoted to this one thing, so long as the families remain in Nelson.

Your memorialists relying on the parental feeling of your Excellency would urge the ex* pediency of recalling their families, before the ensuing winter. Already have several lost many dear children and the climate of Nelson in the winter appears so insalubrious, to children reared at Taranaki, that they dread the effects of another winter, the last having proved so fatal.

That as regards the principle of economy iv providing for the families now Jn Nelson a great saving would be effected, were they allowed to return, by cottages being erected here, for their recepti&n, which at the termination of the war would realize a fair price, and it is probable that in many instances a number of those returning would support themselves independent of the Government.

Your memorialists humbly crave your Excellency's immediate consideration to ibis their petition. And as iv duty bound will ever pray.

The original, of which the above is a copy has been numerously signed by parties interested in the welfare of their families and relatives, and forwarded to His Excellency the Governor on behalf of ihe Committee, per Lord Ashley steamer, on the 30th ult., by me. Thomas William Shute, Member of Committee. New Plymouth, February 2nd, 1861.