EXTRACTS. Public Meeting. (Frcm the Nelson Examiner, July I.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 17, 12 August 1843, Page 4

EXTRACTS. Public Meeting. (From the Nelson Examiner, July 1.)

A requisition having been made to tho Sheriff to call the inhabitants together, for the purpose of impressing on tho Government the necessity of taking such steps as might be deemed expedient for the better protection of life and property in this settlement, a public meeting was held in the Court House, at one o'clock yesterday. A. M. M'Donald, Esq., sheriff, on taking the chair, stated that he considered the meeting, a very proper, one, and that it was highly necessary that prompt measures should be taken to show tho natives that such an outrage as the late lamentable one could not be passed over unpunished ; and the absolute necessity of having but one law for the two races. The following resolutions vere then submitted ;-—

1: Moved by Mr.. James Tytler, seconded by Mr. Sinclair, — That we, the inhabitants of Nelson, have heard with feelings of the deepest grief and horror of the murder at the Wairoa of many of our friends and fellow settlers, in the execution of their duty as magistrates and Englishmen. Deprived of the counsel and protection of the Government Representative and of our most experienced magistrates, in the emergency of tho case we confidently appeal to the Government to afford us that prompt and efficient aid which is alike necessary to bring the criminals to justice, to prevent the recurrence of similar catastrophes, and to enforce respect and obedience to the laws, as well from the native as tho European population of the colony. , 2. Moved by Mr. Poynter, seconded by Mr. Domett,— -That the irrcpa: iblc calamity which has befallen our settlement has arisen from the ineffectual attempt of the Government Representative and local magistracy to assist and maintain the authority of the law. But wo cannot avoid expressing our conviction that this violation of tho law would never have occurred had the investigation and adjustment of the land claims been prosecuted with that earnestness and activity which this question demanded, and that, until the settlement thereof no security can be felt for life and property. 3. Moved by Mr. Macshane, seconded by Mr. Greathead, — That a Memorial be forwarded to the Home Government, setting forth tho present exposed and defenceless position of the European population of this settlement ; and earnestly praying for that protection to which, as loyal British subjects, we are entitled, and which, in the opinion of this meeting, can be afforded by an efficient naval or military force only. 4. Moved by Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mr. Ilildroth,— That tho following gentlemen be requested to draw up a memorial in accordance with the previous resolution — Messrs. Tuckett, Domett, Jollio, Duppa, and Elliott, with power to add to their number. 5. Moved by Mr. Otterson, seconded by. Mr. Jollie, — That the Sheriff be requested' to forward to the Colonial Government the resolutions and proceedings of this meeting. A vote of thanks was then moved to the Chairman, and the meeting broke up. Some little surprise was occasioned last week by the arrival of Mr. White, one of the justices of the peace at Wellington, who had been sent here by the police magistrate of that district, to take upon himself all the duties of the late Government officer, whom it was our misfortune to lose at Wairoa. The magistrates of this district, conceiving themselves fully competent to conduct the public business until the wishes of government on tho subject can be known, and being ignorant of any power vested in Mr. Macdonough to make any such appointment, though only temporary, refused to recogni.se Mr. White in any other capacity than that of a justice of peace. Mr. White was also instructed to stop all the surveys ; but our Chief Surveyor has paid no more regard to Mr. Macdonogh's meddling than was rendered by our magistrates. — Ibid, July, 22. Tho meeting of landowners, &c, advertised in last week's paper, was held at the Literary Institution on Wednesday. After a lengthened discussion respecting the present mode of employing the fund applicable to public works, tho meeting came to the unanimous opinion that some change in the application of the residue was desirable ; and measures wore accordingly recommended, by which it is hoped tho labourer and proprietor will be mutually benefitted. Tho naturo of tho proposed arrangement we are not at liberty to dwell upon, as the plan was not so far matured as to fit it for publication. A sub-committee was oppointed to prepare a memorial to the Comj>any's acting Agent, which we believe has already been presented, and to which we may probably refer next week. It is greatly to bo wished that, upon this subject, which is of such vital importance to all classes of the community, none but enlarged and liberal views may be entertained. Wo have reason to believe that it was the wish of tho late lamented Captain Wakefield to render the labourer in some measure independent of daily wages, by making him tho proprietor of sufficient ground to provide food for himself and family ; and thus, without removing him altogether from the labour-market, giving him something to fall back upon whenever his labour is not required by others. We trust the suggestions recommended to the Company's Agent may coincide with this intention, as we consider is the only means of preventing a large number of those now employed upon public works from falling into destitution when, those works are completed. — Ibid.