THE OTAGO HUNDREDS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 385, 3 September 1869, Page 3

THE OTAGO HUNDREDS.

A public meeting was held on Friday evening last, to take into consideration the “ Otago Hundreds Regulations Bill,” with the view of memorialising his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand to withhold his assent to the same.

James Hazletfc, Esq., occupied the chair, and Mr. George Eache was appointed

Secretary. The Chairm; n said that he 1 a 1 been given to understand the object of the meeting was to memorialise the Governor to withhold his assent to a Bill that, should it become the law of the land, Would seriously affect the true interests of the province. As the provisions of the Bill had been so thoroughly ventilated by the press, and its objectionable clauses so minutely exposed, and further, as the opinions of so many men better informed on the subject than himself had been published, ho did not deem it necessary to take up the time of the meeting by reiterating those views and expressions ; but ha would say he considered it incumhentonthem totakesomeactivestcpto counteract, if possible, the designs of the proposers and supporters of a measure which to sacrifice the province generally to the interests of one class. Before concluding he would impress upon the meeting the necessity of instant action, and would suggest that a memorial be drawn up and the

district c'anvased for signatures, in order to prove to his Excellency that the entire community are indignant at the attempt to deprive them of their rights. Mr. William Grindloy said that, after w\iat had fallen from the chairman he felt he had nothing to say other than that he fully endorsed the views expressed, and would propose' “That, in the opinion of this meeting, the feelings of the entire community of the Dunstan District are expressed in saying that the ‘ Otago Hundreds Regulation Bill’ is a piece of legislation, not only likely to impede the settlement of the country, inasmuch as by it the land is virtually placed in the hands of the squatters, hut that a spirit of antagonism is likely to he engendered between the different classes of society, which is to ho deplored ; consequently this meeting would respectfully memorialise his Excellency the Governor to withhold his assent to the said Bill.” Seconded by Mr. W. Williams, and carried.

Mr. R. Barlow proposed, That a subcommittee, consisting of the Chairman, Secretary, and the mover be appointed to draw up a memorial embodying the preceding resolution, aud also take active measures to obtain signatures to the same. Seconded by Mr. W. Fache, and carried. Before the meeting closed the following memorial was drawn up and adopted : To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, K.C.8., Governor of New Zealand. The humble petition of the inhabitants of the Dunstan District, in the province of Otago, pertaining to the “ Otago Hundreds Regulations Bill” humbly showeth :

1. That your memorialist view with alarm the evil results that will arise by the said Bill becoming a law of the land.

2. That the said Bill contains clauses that will impede the settlement of the country, inasmuch as it places the entire lands of the province in the hands of the few.

3. That the sai l Bill was smuggled through both Houses of Parliament, without the consent or knowledge of the Provincial Executive, contrary to all precedent.

4. That the effect of the said Bill will be most disastrous to the agricultural interest of the province, and that further settlement aud development of the province will inevitably be put a stop to t y its operation. 5. Your memorialists therefore humbly beg that your Excellency will exercise the prerogative of the Crown, and refuse your consent to the “Otago Hundreds Regulations Bill.”

And your petitioners will ever pray

A vote of thanks to the Chairman and sub-Committee was unanimously accorded, and the meeting separated.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of the Alexandra Distiiet was held in the Council Chamber on Wednesday evening last for the purpose of discussing the merits of the Otago Hundreds Regulation Bill, 1889.

Robert Finlay, Escp, Mayor was in tho Chair. After stating the object for which the meeting had been called:—Mr. Webb rose and proposed the following resolution, supporting it by a few remarks 'as to tho evil effects the Bill would have iu retar,.mg the progress of settlement. “ That the said Bill was hastily passed through both Houses of the Legislature without the knowledge or consent of the Provincial Government, contrary to all precxlent. That the effect of the said Bill will be most ruinous to the agricultural interests of tho Province, and that the further settlement and development of the country will inevitably be put a stop to, should it ever come into operation.

This was seconded by Mr. Thayers, and carried unanimously. Mr. Stanbrook then proposed, That a committee, consisting of the Chairman and Messrs. Coleman, Webb, 1). Robertson, the Secretary, and the mover, ho appointed to draw up a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, embodying tho above resolutions, and to canvas the uistriot for signatures. Seconded by Mr. MfDonougb, and carried. Messrs, I). Robertson, Webb, and Stanbrook kindly undertook to procure signatures of residents in their various neighborhoods.

Mr. Eivers proposed that the Secretary forward the memorial to the Governor as scon as possible. During the proceedings a letter was road from W. A. Low, Escj., Galloway Station, giving his views on the subject of the Bill. Mr. Coleman, of Butcher’s Point, replied to it in a very telling speech, in which he showed himself thoroughly conversant with the land question, both in Australia ami New Zealand.

The meeting terminated by a vote of thanks to the Mayor for bis kindness in presiding.