PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 78, 28 November 1846, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

On Thursday last, a numerously Meeting was held in the Hall ofthe Mechanics' Institute, for the purpose of adopting a petition to the Throne, respecting the objectionable laws passed during the recent Session ofthe Legislative Council, particularly the Land Purchase Bill, praying Her Majesty to withhold Her Royal Assent. The tone of the Meeting was generally temperate and respectful, and the proceedings were characterized by unwonted unanimity. Dr. Campbell, (whether in earnest or in jest, we can hardly yet determine to our own satisfaction,) proposed two amendments; one of which, if carried, would have, defeated the purpose of the Meeting altogether ; but which, as only the mover and seconder held up their)hands in its support, brought the question of the policy and justice of the late enactments to a more obvious issue ; clearly proving* that the entire current of public opinion runs- strongly against the odious measures. Dr. 'Campbell took the merriment which the fateuof his amendments had excited in very good part, and heartily joined himself in the -laughter he had caused. • - • ' •

The Ilaidee, having completed lieh caYgo of •pars at Kaipara, and returned to this port, will sail for London direct in a lew days. The Her, G. Kevern, Wesleyan Missionary from.,Vavou r who has been for- some time, past suffering from declining health, returns, together, with Mrs. Kevern, in the Haidee, to his native t land. We trust that the change may be instrumental in re-establishing his health. Mr. Wlii taker, aa old and much respected colonist,! together with his lady, and Messrs. Tucker and P. Wrig|it,also take their departure in the same vessel for England. We wish them a speedy and prosperous voyage. Waikato.— Te Uira, chief of the »Ngatipott tribe, is now in Auckland, having accqmpnnied the Surveyor- General, who has recently, returned, from a tour in the Waikato district, undertaken, we believe, for the purpose of ascertaining the best line for the projected road. This 1 Chief is one of the leaders lately engaged in 'the Avar that was attended with such a deplorable lost of life: he has agreed to ah accommodation, and we art* informed that there is every prospect of a perfect reconciliation between the parties. The land about which the disputants quarrelled and fought is of small extent, but it has been a point of honor between the Ngatipou and Ngatitipn tribes to maintain their respective claims. la June last, the Ngatitipa agreed 'to settle the dispute, and now the Ngatipou have, after many meetings on the subject, agreed, to. do the same. At first, the parties wished to make the graves of the chiefs who fell in the late action the boundaries, but they have now agreed to allow the Governor to arrange the whole aflair. Te Uira has had an interview with the Governor, and everything has been arranged in the moit satisfactory manner. Mechanics' Institute.— The Members and Friends of this useful Institution must not forget the Soiree that is to be given at the Hall on Monday evening ''next, whi'cU<'w'e'b'elieveMs to be the commencement of a series of entertaining and instructive meetings. Colonel Wy.nyard jvith characteristic kindness and urbanity lias given his permission for the band of the 58th regiment to be present ; and we trust that the attendancewill be such as to prove that the people of Auckland are beginning to take a fresh interest in theafl'airs of the Institution. ■ Departure of the Troops.— Th,e gallant 58th will soon be letving'onr shores. 1 "The* general good conduct of the men, aud the character of the officers of thi.« regiment are duly appre*ciated by the colonists of New Zealand,. Colonel Wynyard by the uniform kindness of Ins manner and by his gentlemanly beuriiig has gained "universal notice'; and <tlie departure of himself and the other officers of the regiment and their gallant men, will be witnessed with very, 'general regret. They have borne an active part in all the recent military operations in the .Colony, and in every instance where the officers and men of the 58th' caine in contact with the enemy they nobly did theirduty : and sustained'the honorable cliaracter which the regimenthas uniformly borne in the service. The Otflh will also shortly leave us. We have already alluded to the cmi,-* nent services, rendered by this detachment to, the Colony, and we trust that in the place^of their future sojourn, they may enjoy moreeasc andrelaxalion from toil and hard service I han waipos lsible for them to experience during the greater por tion of their stay in New Zealand. Colonel Hulme, we understand, will eventually return la this neighbourhood as a permanent resident* h<V

ving purchased the house built by Mr.- Wlii taker in Windsor Tetrace. We need hardly assure the gallant Colonel, that !he gentry and public of Auckland, >viil<hail his return' wifh much ,sa? ti?fa#io'n., The Auckland Press.-t-TMs hebdomadal publication — the short-lived successor of the Antipodean, has gone the way of all its kind, and become defunct. It has been said "de mortius ml nisi bonum,'* and we shall act upon the motto in the present case, and refrain from any comments upon the character of the deceased.