MEETING OF EMIGRANTS.

Auckland Times, Volume 2, Issue 55, 30 January 1844, Page 3

MEETING OF EMIGRANTS.

A meeting of the unemployed Emigrants was held at the large room of the “Governor G.ipps,” at 7 o’clock, on Friday evening last, for the purpose of considering proposals to be made to them by Mr. Meurant, on behalf of the Native Chiefs of the Manukau tribe, for their employment by the Maories. About seventy emigrants attended, and Mr. D. Russell being called to the chair Mr. Meurant said, that the native chiefs, hearing of the very unsettled state of (be emigrants, were desirous to afford the comforts of a home and the benefit of employment to such of the emigrants who should apply through him, Mr. Meurant, and whom he should be able to recommend as of pioper behaviour, and, especially, as sober people. Mr. M. would not exclude single men of good character, but such as were married and had families would be greatly preferred. The native chiefs would give bouses ami land for their occupation, and would supply ample rations—but they had no money wages to offer ; to such as would be willing to bind themselves for a time, and steadily fulfil such engagement, the chiefs would make some handsome present. The principal object the natives had in view was, to receive instruction in the European sciences of building and agriculture ; they were themselves in a condition, in most cases, to find seed and implements, and Would work with and u nd er the instruction of (he emigrants. It was intended that the emigrants should live at Manukau, and not mix in the Maori© pahs. In answer to a question as to the hours of labour, Mr. Meurant said, that before anything could be said upon that point, the details should be arranged by general consent. — It was not intended to treat with the emigrants as a body —each individual, or family, would enter into terms with the respee five chiefs with whom they bargained. There was no point of mote importance than the regulation of fixed hours of work ; as respects the natives themselves, they have no method in this matter consequently, no economy of time, or the product of its useful occupation, By teaching them the usefulness of the sub divisions of time and seasons to the most appropriate purposes, the most valuable effect would be produced to both patties. Mr. Meurant recommended the ©migrants to select a committee from among themselves, to arrange the particulars of the terms which might be considered most desirable for all parties. Mr, McDonald said that the object of the natives was evidently to obtain instruction and assistance from European me, chanics and skillful farm labourers, and till the settlers of the Colony were better able to afford employment it was certainly a good plan for both parties. He thought that nothing was so desirable as the establishment of schools to teach the Maorie children English. He wondered by what means this bad been neglected so long. He thought it advisable that those who were favourable to the acceptance of Mr. Meurant’s proposals should sign their names, in order that the Committee to be formed might judge of the strength of the party, and be able to form a proper opinion of the terms to be demanded. Mr. M‘lntosti seconded this ptopositiou—which appeared to meet with general approbation ; but a very long and desultory conversation then ensued, ot which it would be impossible to give any report. A prevailing idea, which was put to the vote, and yet not decided upon, was, to petition the Home Government to fetch them all home again,—hut nobody recollected to suggest what was to be done during the long interval that must necessarily elapse before such an appli- * cation will meet with the success which of course will immediately attend it ! In the end, the meeting seemed favourable, almost unanimously, to the acceptance of the Native proposals; and, at tne suggestion of the chairman, vve regis-

j tered the names of those who were desirous to make immediate arrangement with Mr. Meurant, but only eighteen persons signed : of course vre do trot publish their names till we hear from the parlies whether it would be agr< eeble to them that we should do so, —with their wives and families they amount to fifty-six, and they consist of at least half artizans. The following committee was then chosen to manage the terms of agreement with the Maories, and to consider about the petition : D. Russell. Chairman. Geo. M'Kinley, VVm. Fairbtirn, P. M‘Donaid, .las. MHntosh, John Hit!. For the guidance of tire Committee we publish the latest account of unemployed emigrants in Sydney, derived hour the best Authority, viz ; Carpenters—l 46; Laboures—4so; Compositors— 50; Tailors—46 ; Shoemakers—6o : Total,' 1200*. [A letter from Mr. Meurant in another column wilt show how far this affair has proceeded. — Ei>. Times ] Government Lani> SA'le. —Our readers will not forget that the large Government Land Sale of Town and ! Suburban Allotments will take place this day. We do not suppose there will be i much money taken, tor, ir* fact, the only ■ intention of the proceeding is, to enable the New Zealarod Company to go through the process of their exchange, accord tug to the letter of Lord Stanley's law, which the subordinates of his wisdom would fain persuade ns “ altereth not Further notices of sale are put forth i» the last Government Gazette ; but We are not startled at shadows, — these things are the ghosts of Government laud swindling, —the substance is dead and buried past all itSiirieetion Docs.— Among the expedients for Revenue suggested in His Excellency's speech to the Ccmneil„ we notice with much pleasure a Dog Tax. Dogs hare become in Auckland a perfect nuisance, and some legal restriction ought to be put upon their rapid and indiscriminate inciease. The perpetual bailing and Pawling at night in the purlieus of Shortlarid Crescent would suggest to any emigrant from the Southern parts of Europe the terrors of an incursion ot a pack of wolves. It is high tune that the responsibilities and protection of owners bio should be placed , upon these animals. The Police Magistrate ought to take this matter up. “ Punch compares Sir Robert Peel's taking the sense of the House to the smallest bomeepathie dose ever known.” —We compare the swallowing of the Cross's long articles upon ‘■‘•free trade,” to the very wildest effort of maudlin h y pooh on drracism which quack doctors Could quote.