Mr Burr's Meeting

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 3, 17 June 1884, Page 3

Mr Burr's Meeting

♦ On Saturday night, in the Publio Hail, Mr Amos Burr addressed a - moderate but very select audience, composed of electors of Feilding. Hi's Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and, in a few well-chosen remarks, introduced the candidate. Mr Burr began his address by explaining to the meeting that, owing to the darkness of the night h§ had fallen into the canal which runsafongside bf Kimbolton road. He was not hurt . 'in any way, but as he was very wet he craved the indulgence of his hearers -while he sent the custodian ofthe hall for a little brandy and port wine to ■ warm him. . Standing with his boots _.fuR of water on such a bitterly cold night • was very trying for a man 62 years of age. After the arrival of the needed refreshment, Mr Burr proceeded to ■ give a short, but telling history of each of the Premiers who had been for . brief periods respectively in charge of the " ship of State." He handled his subject in ft most paragraphic and epigrammatic style which was much appreciated by his hearers, who frequently interrupted the speaker to put questions, the replies to which made clear, many matters which were obscured by an over strained effort at brevity. It was satisfactory to learn that the address of Mr Burr, when published in the Feilding Stab, at once forced the Hon. Walter Johnston -itf resign. He also pointed out as a singular coincidence, the fact that no sooner did he(the -speaker) appear on the political horizon as a leader of the people than, the Government was defeated on the first division which took place this session. The significance of this requires no comment. The speaker was particularly severe dn Sir William* Fox, and we are certain that had he (Sir William) been present to hear the dressing down he got from Mr Burr, he would have. left " a sadder but a wiser man:" The reasons -which led up to the Parihaka campaign and the mistakes which were made by the Hon. Mr Bryce subsequently, through failing to carry out the policy inaugurated by Mr Burr, were briefly alluded to. As it was now ten o'clock it wan determined that the meeting be adjourned until Monday night.