MEETING AT TINKER'S GULLY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 228, 14 September 1877, Page 3

MEETING AT TINKER'S GULLY.

A public meeting of the Catholics of Tinker's Gully and the surrounding districts was held in the Catholic Chapel on September 2nd, for the purpose of expressing the abhorrence in which they hold the Education Bill now before the General Assembly. Although our little community in this quarter is but small, yet the prompt manner in which they have attended the meeting is in itself a proof that the people are thoroughly alive to the allimportant question as to the education of their children. Thanks to the many able strictures on the Bill which have from time to time appeared in the columns of the Tablet, the people can plainly see the object the framers of such a measure have in view, namely, the proselytising of Catholic children by special act of Parliament, and they accordingly are resolved to resist it to the last. The chair was taken at 2 p.m. by Mr. F. Donnelly; who in very forcible terms condemned the present system of education, and exhorted the people to exert themselves in all legitimate ways to give their children a Catholic education, wherever it was in their power to do so. Afterwards the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — First resolution, proposed by Mr. P. McDonald and seconded : by Mr. P. Flanneet, " That in the opinion of this meeting the Education Bill now before Parliament is a most gross act of injustice to all the Catholic community of New Zealand." Second resolution, proposed by Mr. M. Salmon and seconded by Mr. M. Caret, " That this measure is a most cruel usurpation of the rights and liberties of Catholic parents, inasmuch as it impedes them in educating their children according to their con*

science; and further, that it is a most unjust and tyrannical infringement on their rights and liberties as free citizens of the British Empire." Third resolution, proposed by Mr. J. McEllegott and seconded by Mr. T. Poweb, " That it is most expedient we should pledge ourselves to use every means within the limits of the law to prevent the perpetration of so obnoxious a measure." Fourth resolution, proposed by Mr. T. Flanneby and seconded by Mr. P. Mukpht, "'lhat the Chairman be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions to our representative in Parliament, begging of him not only to vote against the Bill but also to use Bis influence in the House to prevent it becoming law; also, that a copy be sent to the New Zealand Tablet for publication. Tinker's Gully, fceptember 3.