PUBLIC MEETING AT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2392, 1 December 1870, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT PORT CHALMERS.

A public meeting was held at Crickmore’s Royal Assembly Rooms, Port Chalmers, latt evening, to take into consideration the action of the Provincial Council relative to the Public Works and Immigration Acts. The Mayor (Mr M'Derraid) occupied the chair ; and there was a very large number of the inhabitants present. The Chairman, in proposing the proceedings, stated that the meeting had been called at the request of a number of the ratepayers to consider the action of the Provincial Council relative to the above works. He (the Chairman) thought that there was no doubt that the action taken was decidedly wrong, inasmuch as although it had been decided to do nothing in the matter for the advancement of the Province, the money would be spent whether we were willing or not. He pointed out that the Act was not a Provincial, but a general one, intended for the whole Colony. The great objection 1o it was that, as there would be a very large expenditure on the part of the General Government, we might not get the share. Hr, however, was happy to inform the meeting that the General Government, seeing the temper of the Provincial Government on the matter, bad already undertaken the survey of the two lines of railway. He was glad that the meeting had been got up by the inhabitants without any effort on the part of the local nv mbers of the Provincial Council, and he trusted it would express its views in its own way.

Mr Dkntti, as one of those who had signed the requisition, would like to know whether the twenty-three members who voted for the non-acceptance of the share of the money offered by the (General Government, or the the thirteen who voted the other way, did their duty to the Province. The question, in his opinion, was for the Provincial Council to say to the General Government what works they will have undertaken, and in what districts they should bo carried out, and not for the Provincial Government--or rather Messrs Duncan and Reid—than whom two greater blockheads could not be found. Seeing that the Assembly had solemnly passed the Act in question, it was shere nonsense to say to the General Government, “We will not take any of your money or assistance.” We should lake as much as was offered, for we are sure to have the larger share of the bindens, whether we had it or not. It wag equally nonsensical to talk of waiting for a new election. The Province was undoubt - edly in favor of the scheme, and should get all she could by it. The other Provinces would benefit by* it, although many of them had no means of paying their share of the interest, be it ever so small. Mr D. Miukk said there was no doubt the question did not affect Port Chalmers so much as other places iu the Province. Ha would like to know what was Otago’s share of the loan. He had read the Act carefully, and could not find what amount we were to g; t out of it. Ido thought we should get at least one-third, as the Province was in a position to guarantee that amount. Canterbury was in a position to do the same. Thera was no doubt the Provincial Council should sav where the money should be spent and on what works ; but to say that we should no take our share was simply absurd, when we were quite sure we should pay back again more than our share. Mr T. Nii'iioi.son did not wish to take up the time of the meeting, but would read the following which ho submitt d for its acceptance: —“ 1 hat in the opinion of this meeting, the large majority who voted against the adoption of his Honor’s message (N T o. 2) on the Public Works and Immigration A ct, was caused by members generally not having consulted their constituents j and

it is their duty so to do -when questions of such vital importance are to come on for consideration.” Mr Miller seconded the motion. Mr H. Towers quite agreed with what had fallen from those who preceded him, and thought the meeting was doing what the Ileid Ministry had recommended them to do —viz., to give expression to their views upon that Act. He would move as an amendment on the motion—“ That as the. Provincial Council have admitted their inability to make any recommendation for the initiation of any works Laving for their object the development of the goldfields and the resources of this Province under the Public Works and Immigration Act until the policy of that Act has been considered by the various constituencies, tins meeting is of opinion that such admission is degrading to a body of representatives, inasmuch as they arc supposed to bo acquainted with the opinions of the electors they are imagined to represent.” The amendment was seconded by Mr Dench, who said be was of opinion that the present Provincial Council were not capable of initiating, to say nothing of carrying out, auy public works, instancing their talents in that direction as shown in connection with the Port Chalmers Railway, dredge, &c. On being put to the meeting, the amendment was carried unanimously. Mr Dench moved—“ That this meeting has no confidence whatever in the present Executive, in consequence of their inability to carry on the public works of the Province.” ' The motion was seconded by Mr T. .N’ihholsen, and carried unanimously. Mr Mir, lei: moved that the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the Government and Provincial Council, and that Mr M'Dermid, as Mayor of Port Chalmers and chairman of the meeting, lay them before the Provincial Council.” It was seconded by Mr Gibbs, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close.