THE MEETING AT THE DRILL SHED.

Evening Star, Issue 4216, 31 August 1876, Page 3

THE MEETING AT THE DRILL SHED.

To the Editor. Sir,—l observe there appears to be some i difference of opinion as to the numbers < attending the "meeting at the Drill-shed on. Monday, and some of the statements are so IJonjavely false that I cannot refrains from ; you that, as it happened, I attended 7 %e Meeting for the purpose of comparing it with the reports that I should read of it thevi

next day. I have' had dome experience in judging numerically of bodies of men, whom is a difficult matter,. I admit. 'The following were my conclusions, and ; you may take them for what they arc worth, but you will observe that I am not in the least interested, in making these state ments. The meeting appeared to me to consist of about 400 to 450 men and youths, of which those on the platform and a few others (and they mostly of the baser sortno offence intended but merely that I may be understood) seemed to be in earnest. On the resolutions being put it was most notice able that nearly half of those present nevei voted at all, thus showing that they were either in opposition or indifferent, or perhaps, like myself,, having no sort of iuterest in the place, and had merely turnfcdih there out of idle curiosity. I was struck from the first at the entire absence of the better classes, who might be supposed to have an interest in the place, and the presence of others who unmistakeably were merely the earners of small wages. Sir, " Let truth prevail though the heavens tfall.!* Imaginemy then, at hearing an elderly man (whose name I - know not) so far misrepresent the meeting as : to say it would have an influence over the ] length and breadth of New Zealand, &c. ! In conclusion, I may state I was astonished at the smallness of.the meeting and the' indifference shown by many present.—l am, &c,

•Duriedin, August 31.