PUBLIC MEETING AT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2288, 6 September 1870, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT PORT CHALMERS.

In accordance with a requisition from .a number of the ratepayers the Mayor called a public meeting last night to consider the most fitting way to receive his Honor the Superintendent on his return from Wellington. His Worship occupied the chair, and stated briefly the object of the meeting. He alluded to a letter that appeared in the Daily Times of Saturday, objecting to a vote of L 5 by the Council for this matter, and defended its action. He said by the trifling sum paid, everybody subscribed, and nobody felt it, and it did not prevent those who chose from enjoying an hour with bis Honor at their own expense. He then called on—

Mr Mansford, who moved—“ That this meeting is of opinion that a public reception be given to his Honor tho Superintendent on his return from Wellington.” He expressed the pleasure it gave him to move the resolution, and referred to the many benefits his Honor had conferred on the Province, and on the Port in particular, Mr Miller defended the. Council in having voted L 5. There was the band to pay, and although Mr Dodson and Mr Crickmore had so kindly given their conches and horses free, there were stabling andtoPs to pay, and other incidental expenses, and he believed every ratepayer wished to share in the welcome. He concluded a very able speech by seconding the motion, which was carried nem. con.

Mr Toms moved—“ That Messrs Mansford, Law, M'Kinnon, Dodson, Drysdale, Clark, Fcrnie, J. B. Robertson, and D. Miller be appointed a committee to carry the foregoing resolution into effect.” Mr Hudson seconded the resolution, which was carried nem. con.

Mr FERNXErooved—“ That a subscription list be opened, and those who chose to subscribe should put their name down for what they thought proper.” The motion was seconded by Mr Milder, and carried.

Mr Dench thought it should be a guinea subscription—half to be spent in the reception, the balance to go to some charitable object in Mr Macandrew’s name. The Chatkman said, until it was shown how the money was to be expended, it was useless to name a particular sum. Mr Clark said he had been to town, and had seen the Mayor of Dunedin, who had volunteered to go down and take part in the proceedings on the arrival of his Honor. Mr Goldie promised to pay for powder for the occasion, and moved that the Majmr and Council head the subscription list. The proposition was seconded by Mr Dale, but the Mayor thought that, as the affair had been taken out of the hands of the Council, they only met now as private citizens. The proposition of Mr G. L. Asher, that a luncheon be provided, and whoever attended pay whatever sum was charged, not to exceed 10s 6d, was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a elope.