Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 304, 28 April 1849, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New Zealand*. Sir,— ln a Ute number of the Southern Crots I observe that a correspondent, under the signature of '* Fair Play," has been pleated to animadrert upon my conduct ai chairman, when presiding at i public meeting held eight or ten days ago at the Exchange Hotel, for the purpose of adopting a petition to her Majesty against the introduction of exiles. Thii letter had escaped my observation until my attention was | called to it by a friend. Allow me now to inform Mr. | "Fair Play,'' or the gentleman who moved the amend- I merit in question (for I look upon them as one and the lanoe person), that there was no extraordinary "dogmas" broached at that meeting. The only extraordinary thing which'occurr«d, wis the attempt, on the part of the gentleman who read an extract from the Blue Book, to introduce extraneous matter, and by cunningnoss peculiar to hiuiielf endeavoured to administer a •troDg political dote, and upon the spur of the moment to get the public meeting to commit themselves by roting for his amendment, which I considered to be quite of a political nature. : The meeting was called for a very different and for a special purpose, which was made public when the requisition calling the meeting was publiihed, «nd htd no reference to politics in any way. Seeing, then, that the meeting was being led away from the main object for which it was assembled, I think that it was the duty of the chairman to interfere; and as Mr. " Fair Play" in his letter states that " the duty of a •bdirman of a public meeting is to maintain order and to 'keep the rariou* speakers to the business before the me ting," I think, in the course I pursued, I did my duly, namely, to keep the speaker to the business for which the meeting was assembled, and to vie my utmoit endeavour to reject an amendment of so politi cal and personal a nature. , Mr. " Fair Play" presumes a little too much on his own importance in Tolunteering his advice to the public, that they should be more cautious in future who > they select as their chairman, and not allow themaelve* to be " brow beaten" by the person whom they ' appoint. Now, Mr. Editor, lam not ia the practice of brow beating any one, neither will 1 allow any one to practio this upon myself, either in a public meeting or eliewhcre. Mr. " Fair Pity" may rest assured that the public are quite competent to judge for themselves in this matter. In justice to the Her. W. Lawry, into whose hands I had placed the resolution (which was afterwards withdrawn), I am bound to state that he withdrew it for the take of unanimity. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, Wu. S. Grahamb. Auckland, 27th April, 1849.