MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS AT THE ATHENAEUM.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1892, 9 July 1863, Page 3

MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS AT THE ATHENAEUM.

Oar Tuesday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, between two »od three hundred people assembled at the Mechanic! Institute, called together by hand bills, ♦'to take into consideration the outrage by the •oldiers on the previous evening, and to consult on what steps are advisable to prevent a recurrence of the Bame."

Mr T. McKenzio was unanimously elected to the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading the hand bill convening the meeting, and calling upon all present to act with judgment and impartiality.

Mr Homer then briefly proposed the first reso. lution.

1. " That in the opinion of this meeting, the outrageous conduct of the soldiers now quartered in this town, shows that further protection is required to secure the safety of the persons and property of the inhabitants."

Mr Edwards had much pleasure in seconding this, he thought some steps ought to be taken immediately to put a stop bo such outrages asj were now complained of. On putting this resolution, the Chairman was interrupted by a second Mr Edwards, who wished that the initial letter of the seconder might be added bo that it would allow the public to discriminate, (laughter.) Mr H. Anderson said that he was in possession of of certain information which had been given to him, by a personwhosename he was not 'at liberty to mention, but which he believed to be perfectly reliable. He had been informed, that on the night of the riot, nearly the whole detachment was ; in a state of anarchy, and the officers almost unable to control it. Moreover, the men had sworn ▼eogeanoe against tho civilians in consequence of

the assault which had been committed on Corporal Wilson on Saturday night. That was no doubt a brutal assault, but these men must be taught that they would not be allowed to take the law into their own hands ; they should seek redress from the Resident Magistrate, not take revenge with the bludgeon, and the brickbat. They were still he had heard in a revengeful temper, and resolved if the rioten were punished, to repeat the disgraceful deed of Monday night. That must not be, and he called on the citizens of Wellington to protect themselves. He cordially supported the resolution. (Cheers.) The Chairman then put the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

Mr J Smith moved the second resolution.

2. " That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to take without delay such measures as he may think necessary to insure the peace of the town, and to secure the inhabitants from the violence of the soldiers.

He said what took place last night was not a simple act of violence, but it was a cowardly dastardly transaction, and serious notice ought to be taken of it. It behoved them to take measures that every man could protect his life and property. He contended also that this outrage when published abroad, would be a bad example to the maoris who would immediately see that mutiny was in the camp. He thought the Superintendent ought to be waited upon; he believed he was from home, but surely he had left some one to act for him in his absence, (hear, hear.) Mr Borlaae considered it would be so much time lost ; if anything was to be done it must be done immediately. He would like to know where were the people who ought to protect us, the magistrates, (cheers.) It appeared to him that they had left the public to protect themselves. He agreed with waiting upon the Superintendent^but in the meantime you might have a stiok flourishing over your head, or you might hear of a recurrence of last night's outrage, (hear hear.) He would throw out a practical suggestion — if your magistrates would not protect the town, and take measures to prevent the soldiers being at large with stones and sticks demolishing windows, the ' inhabitants must take it in their own hands. He did not wish to point the finger at any individual, but he did think that sufficient precaution had not been taken by the proper authorities, to prevent the outrage which it was clear they were aware was likely to take place. He suggested that a Vigilance Committee should be formed, that each ane present should arm himself with a stick and meet at some appointed place, and he was sure that a stop would soon be put to the disturbances, (hear, hear.) Mr G. Edwards said he had waited on Major | Dwyer half-an-hour before the occurrence took place and he (Major Dwyer) said he had had the i notioe some time before, and that he had taken the necessary precautions. Mr Wakefield, who was greeted with loud cheers, said there was no time to be wasted ; another outrageous scene like the one last night might be performed again, and while they were hunting for magistrates, more windows might be broken, and, as last night, many of the ladies of Wellington were hunted off the streets in terror. He could dwell some time upon the absence of ' magistrates from that meeting ; he believed he was the only one there. Were they cowardly enough to stand by and see their property demolished and perhaps their heads broken, (no, no.) He was sure there were sufficient present to form a strong Vigilance Committee, let them appoint leaders in whom they had confidence and have proper places of rendezvous, but they must use despatch. Although only a visitor amongst them he would most cordially take part in anything that the meeting might determine upon. Let each one procure a stick, and do his best to prevent windows of unoffending persons being broken. He would suggest that the Superintendent should be informed that one hundred or two hundred men were ready to act. He thought that the Resident Magistrate ought to be acquainted with the fact.

R. Collins, J. P., seconded the resolution, which was carried without a dissentient voice.

The Chairman understood that several gentlemen were present who had waited upon Mr St Hill and he requested them to state the result of their interview.

Mr E. Bull stated that he had communicated with Mr St Hill, and that~gentlemen had informed him that he could do nothing more than if any soldier wa3 recognised he would (as he had already done that morning) write to the Major to have him handed over to the civil authorities. He (Mr St Hill) knew of this meeting, and would be very happy to forward any resolutions that might be passed.

Mr Homer then moved and Mr Maney seconded

3. " That the present meeting constitute itself into a Committee of Vigilance until the legally constituted authorities shall have taken the necessary steps for preventing a repetition of last nights outrages, and that leaders be appointed to take auch steps if necessary in the meanwhile."

Mr Borlase thought the sooner they formed the better — with 40 or 50 men such as those present, he did not see the least fear but that they could protect their property.

Mr Walden inquired if a man would be justified in using any weapon of defence, in the protection of his property ?

The Chairman said he had asked the Resident Magistrate that question, that morning, and f ,hat he had informed him, that a man would not be justified in using fire-arms unless the Riot Act had been first read by a magistrate.

Mr Homer — Then Mr Chairman we are in a deplorable condition. He quoted the case of a man named Williamson who, while assisting civilians against an assault by soldiers, he was stabbed in the head by one of the picket. He also observed that a policeman was rather severely handled in this last row. He concluded by saying that he thought every one should do the beat for themselves.

Mr Wakefield then moved, and Mr Edwards seconded.

4. " That the Chairman be requested to convey the resolutions to his Honor the Superintendent , and the Resident Magistrate. Carried unanimously.

Mr Wakefield then moved, and Mr Homer seconded.

6. That Mr Borlase be appointed Chairman of the Vigilance Committee, with power to appoint subordinate officers. The meeting then separated.

On Tuesday morning a number of the citizens, who had suffered by the riot, waited upon Mr St. Hill, and informed him of what had taken place. The Resident Magistrate said that he regretted exceedingly that men wearing the uniform of her Majesty should so far forget themselves as to commit such a gross outrage upon the inhabitants of Wellington ; and could hardly find terms to express his horror of such conduct. He had already communicated with the officer commanding, Major Dwyer; but he wonld send another letter, andfhe had no doubt the military author, ities would adopt such measures as would ensure the peace of the town.

On Wednesday morning a deputation waited upon the Resident Magistrate, and presented the resolutions passed at the public meeting held the previous evening iv the Athensutn. Mr St. Hill again expressed, himself strongly relative to the late outrage by the military, and said that he had received a letter from Major Dwyer, who had taken such measures as would ensure the peace of the town and its inhabitants. He would submit the resolutions to the Bench of Magistrates about to sit, and communicate any decision they might arrive at. All he could do under the circumstances, was to swear in special constables, but he would rather not do that, aa he was loth to do anything that would engender bad feeling between the military and the inhabitants.

We are informed that a few Taranaki natives Lave come down from Waikato with 6 kegs of gunpowder, which they intend taking round the mountain. They brought messages to the Mataitavra people.

The Bell Blockhouse garrison is to be reinforced to-morrow by men from No 1 Volunteers and No 1 Militia.