Hawke's Bay Times. THURSDAY, 'APRIL 2, 1868. PUBLIC MEETING.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 565, 2 April 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times.

THURSDAY, 'APRIL 2, 1868. PUBLIC MEETING.

Null ins addict us jurats in verba magisfri.

ADDRESS OF CONDOLENCE TO lI.IUI. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. The mooting called for last evening by his Honor the Deputy-Superinten-dent, for the purpose of adopting an address of congratulation to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of his providential escape from the recent attempt at assassination, was most completely successful. The large room was densely crowded, the attendance being larger than we have seen at any previous public meeting. Tire chair was occupied by Jos. Rhodes, Esq., Deputy-Superintendent. We are unable to give more than a mere outline of the proceedings, reserving a more detailed report for our L ex t issue.

The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, read letters from the Rev.

Father Forest and other gentlemen, expressing fheir regret at being unable to attend. He expressed his pleasure atobservingso large an attendance, and his regret at the absence of Mr M‘Lean He spoke of the unmistakeable loyalty of the people of this Province and the whole Colony; and expressed the thankfulness of the people at the providential escape of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. He read the following address, submitting it to the approval of the mcelins : ♦lt w

To His it 0r.17. iIiGUTVEss Alfred, Duke op May it please your Royal Highness,— We, the undersigned inhabitants of Hawke’s Ray, in the colony of iN’ew Zealand, desire to express to your Roy;J Highness the deep sorrow and intense indignation wliieh we have felt on receiving intelligence of the attempted assassination of your Royal Highness ; and the heart-felt joy with which we have heard of your providential escape. We pray God to grant yon a speedy and perfect restoration to health.

It had been our hope that your Royal Highness would ere this have, visited Mew Zealand, and afforded its inhabitants an opportunity of expressing the feelings of affectionate loyalty which they ‘entertain for the C£ueeu and her family, uud if nisi tunt your Royal Highness's visit, though j postponed, may not he finally abandoned.

The Bishop of VAuapu spoke at considerable length. lie alluded to the affectionate loyalty of the people of England and the colonies to the British throne ; to the interest with which they had looked for a visit from one of her sons; to the cordial and loyal reception which he had met with in Australia; and to the feeling of horror caused by the dastardly attempt on his life. After expressing the thankfulness of the people at the failure of the murderous outrage, he concluded by moving the adoption of the address.

Mr P. Doubke seconded tlie motion. Mr G. Worgan spoke of the surprising phenomenon of Fenianism—its avowed object being to redress the wrongs of Ireland, when England had for many years been engaged in ameliorating the condition of that countrjn He attributed its origin to the Americans—to such men as had fought under General Butler, —aud expressed his sympathy with the loyal Irish—men who suffered from the wrongdoings of some of their fellow-country-men.

Mr Troy spoke of the feeling of the loyal Irish respecting the outrage. He was an Irishman himself; he had served her Majesty the Queen faithfally for a quarter of a century, and would be ready at any hour to put on the harness and fight for her. Captain Curling, R. M., spoke at great great length on tlie atrocity of the crime, but attempted to exculpate the Fenian body from complicity. His remarks met with some applause aud signs of disapprobation. Mr S. Lock spoke at some at some length. He asked what end the Fenians could have in view when they attempted to murder a young man who had taken no part in politics ; or what popularity they sought to gain iiy tlie murder of women aud children. Mr Peters spoke to the effect that tlie movement was not really an Irish national one.

J. N. Wilson, Esq., in alhsion to Capr. Curling’s remarks, defined Fenianisra as treason.

J. Buchanan, Esq., and his Honor Hr C. It. 11. Waei>, followed with long and admirable addresses, exculpating the Americans from blame in the matter, etc.

The address was then unanimously adopted.

After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting gave three hearty cheers for her Majesty the Queen, three for Prince Alfred, and after singing the National Authem,dispersed at 10 p.m.