BALD HILL FLAT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 751, 8 September 1876, Page 2

BALD HILL FLAT.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) A public meeting to consider tho conduct of Mr Vincent Fyke in voting ag dnst tie insular separation resolutions, moved by Sir George Grey in the House of Representatives now fn Session sitting at Wellington, was held Pi Mr Gray’s house, Bald Hill Flat, on Wednesday the 30th ultimo. Mr Robert Webb occupied the chair and briefly explained the object for which the meeting had been convened, And called on Mr M’Ginnis to address the meeting. This gentleman in a lengthy speech condemned the Abolition Bill as unworkable ; approved of the Separation resolutions as brought down by Sir George Grey, and characterised him and his supporters as gentlemen, who really had the welfare of the Colony at heart, and their measures the only reasonable means of guiding the Oohny through its present critical crisis. The Government had dragged the Colony into unwarrantable liabilities, which were becoming so apparent, as to set the most illiterate in political matters seriously thinking as to whether or not, at no very distant date, they would be put up to auction by a lot of London Jews, and knocked down to the highesthidder as being part of the’gnods and chattels of an insolvent Government, but gentlemen, matters are beyond a joke— That we are ruled by an exravagant system of Government there can be but little doubt—their extravagance has forced them tr resort to measures, which the people of the Colony could but resent. What was 'the object of the Counties Bill ? It was merely this, the Government wanted to secure the whole of the revenues of the Colony to pay the interest on the Colonial debt, which amounted to the sum cf LSOO.OOO per annum and maintenance of the Civil serv:ce, and to throw directly on tho people themselves the construction of public Works. The Abolition resolutions had been carried through by bribery, and instanced I the offer by the Government, to lease the Canterbury runs to squatters for a term of twenty-one years, thereby effectually locking up the land from settlement, and what may Otago expect, why, just the same 'treatment.

Our representative, Mr Vincent Pyke. when on the hustings, had solemnly pledged himself to the electors to support the Separation movement, a more liberal Lain! law, and construction of Public Works out of the general revenue of the Colony. Had he done so? No. He had wilfully and dishonorably broken his compact with the Electors in every respect, not only had ha broken his cortipact with the Electors, but he had been the most active Member in tha House in advocating measures to which the electors of the Dunstan district were universally opposed. Such conduct on the part of Mr Pyke could not hut merit the just condemnation of his Constituents, and he would therefore move the following resolutions :

First That the conduct of Mr Vincent Pyke, hy Votina against the Separation resolutions, is highly reprehensible and degrading.

Secondly That Mr Pyke, hy violati. t . the solemn pledges made hy him when ha was a Candidate for Ha suffrages of the people, has forfeited the confidence of the Electors.

Thirdly :—That Mr Pyke, liy voting acainst a principle, which he said ho had held for the last fourteen years, and which he held when a Candidate, and which principle he promised to support if ha was elected to represent the Dunstan district in the General Assembly, is hound in honor to himself and constituents to resign h's seat .and give them anopportu'nitytos-'vwhether they concur in his mysterious < out rsion. The resolutions were duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was further resolved that a copy of tha resolutions signed hy the Chairman be forwarded to Mr Pyke and Mr Macandrew. The Chairman read several extracts from Mr Pyke’s addre«s to the electors at Cromwell, proving his inconsist cncy and agreed with what had been said by Mr M'Ginnis. Mr Pyke had acted anything but honorably with the Electors. It was a serinnl matter for Mr Pyke nr any other gentleman ho'ding his position to tamper with tha wishes of his constituents the way ho had done—his conduct deserved the e-msuro they had unanimously passed upon it. A vote of thanks to theChairmau brought the meeting to a close. Sunday seems to be a fovorite day Iff I gardening operations with soma of thercsi* dents of this place. lam not a moral policeman, nor perhaps very orthodox in my religious observances, however, I hold th* opinion that it is a degrading example set to the rising generation amongst ns—we all leave oup. impressions bebi 'd us, and I think it is .worth r,ur consideration what ibat impression may he.