PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 9, 30 August 1842, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting was held at Barrett’s Hotel, on Friday evening, at half-past seven o’clock, to take measures relative to the ensuing election. Mr. David Scott having been unanimously called to the chair, observed, that having just arrived from a long journey, and being, from Ills absence, unacquainted with the state of public affairs here, he should perhaps be excused from stating more than that he should be happy receive any resolution which any gentleman might wish to submit to the meeting. Mr. Hair then rose, and said—The object .of their assembling that evening was for the purpose of putting the meeting in possession of the disgraceful proceedings of those who were endeavouring to procure'a majority in the Municipal Council of the Wakefield party. A great deal of jugglery had been carried on. Parties were going about offering to pay the amount of the registration for the working-men, provided they gave them an 1.0. U., and promised their vote. He was prepared to prove every word he had stated. Some of those whose names were put forth for the Council, had also been' guilty of the like conduct. Tradesmen had been threatened with the withdrawal of custom j if they refused their votes. He would ask, if such conduct was to be tolerated ? He called upon the .working-

ing men to exert themselves to defeat their enemies. They had been scourged, and if they continued-to submit, they would shortly be crucified. Now was the time for the working-men to stand forward; if they allowed the present opportunity to pass, they were lost. Let them register themselves, and vote fearlessly for those only who were the most fit to act in their behalf in the Council. Labour would then be represented, which it was not in the list put forth by the opposite party. Unless they took some decided steps, .it was only a waste of time to meet there. He should, with their permission, propose the following resolution: — Resolved —That the meeting having learned, with astonishment and disgust, the steps which are being pursued by certain parties (in the Wakefield interest—detected) to intimidate and influence the tradesmen and labouring classes in the free exercise of their votes ; deprecate in the strongest language any such course of proceedings, whereby the independence of any elector is compromised.

Mr. Seed seconded the resolution. The resolution was then put from the Chair, and • carried unanimously. Mr. George Scott said, a resolution had been placed in his. hands, to submit to the meeting, which, he had no doubt would meet with .its approval. They had been told by Mr. Hair, that parties were going about, endeavouring to take advantage of the labouring men, by working upon their fears. ■ He was aware these were bad times, and he could scarcely blame any of them who might not register. But let them be on their guard; do not let themselves be entrapped. He blushed to own there were men who would endeavour to secure their seat in the Council with money; and he would spurn those who would accept it. Such parties were rightly called “ lickspittles.” . .Those parties who wanted an aristocracy, knew well that lickspittles were more easily governed. They might have founds in-the list which the Committee of the working-men had put forth, at least five persons who belonged to the Wakefield party; but no, they were not content; they must Kaye twelve. Gentlemen, if twelve persons in that interest were allowed to be elected, Colonel Wakefield migjlit as well carry on the Council by himself. He would therefore propose the following resolution : Resolved —That this meeting determine to, further the Registration by every laudable means in their power; but do not pledge themselves to any particular person, until they are fully satisfied of the elegibility.of all those wlio may offer themselves as candidates. The resolution having been seconded, Mr. Wade observed that he approved of the resolution, and of the remarks of the proposer. He alluded to a case of intimidation which had come to his knowledge, and which he accordingly stated withholding,, however, the parties’ names. A second case, was alluded to, in which a person offered to pledge himself to a certain list, provided Mr. White was secured in the rich sinecure of Town Clerk., Names were demanded by the meeting, and in the latter case given. Much confusion ensued, and the meeting became noisy to such an extent, as to lose very much the character of a public meeting. Mr. Vincent rose to address the meeting, arid with much difficulty obtained a hearing. • ■ ' Mr. Woodward (Sec. to the Committee), submitted that a person not of age had no interest in the business. {

of the meeting. Air. Vincent stated that lie was of age. ' fyfr. Roots claimed the attention of the meeting, and seemed to have only then matured an answer to Mr. Hair’s address, in proposing the first resolution. He (Mr. Roots) thought that the Government had done nothing for the Colony, &c. Here the tumult waxed great, and the dignity of the Chair was sustained with difficulty. Mr. Vincent having at last obtained a hearing, read his resolution. Resolved— -That it is the opinion of this meeting, that a public meeting should be called, at which the various candidates, who were proposed as Common Councilmen, be requested to come forward and express r their political opinions and sentiments, by which the electors will know who are the fit and proper persons to represent them. Mr. George Waters seconded, and a show of hands taken, by which it appeared the resolution was lost. Considerable noise and tumult ensued, and Mr. Vincent!s resolution being again put, was carried by an overwhelming majority. Mr. M 4 Kenzie rose to address the meeting, and proceeded to read a resolution, but was interrujited on the plea of irrelevancy. Mr. Wade proposed that Mr. Scott do leave the chair. A' vote of thanks was then proposed to Mr. D. Scott for his able conduct in the chair. ‘ Carried unanimously. Mr. D. Scott returned thanks, and stated that the business for which the meeting was called being concluded, he would now dismiss them. There being other business to transact, Mr. Wade was voted into the chair. Mr. M 4 Kenzie then rose, and proposed the following resolution : Resolved —That a Committee be formed to draw up a petition to present to Captain Hobson, praying that the water frontages, fines of the Police-office, licences, &c. &c., be vested in the Corporation. Which having been seconded and carried, it was resolved— That the following gentlemen do form the Committee to carry out the above Resolution : —Messrs. J. Wade, Rhodes, T. M. Machattie, Penny, Villars, Bevan, Jenkins, Roots, Underwood, and-Matthieson. Mr. Hair then moved that Mr. Wade do leave the Chair, and, in the usual way proposed a vote of thanks, when the meeting dispersed.

We have been favoured by Mr. Murphy, witl the Burgess Roll, for the Borough of Willing ton, which we publish for the information o our readers..

--Forster J. R. Baker J. W. Miller J. —Hansard J. T. Pollhill B. —Houghton R. Stacey J. ’—Hoggard T. W. Cimini S. —• Simonds W. S. Johnson T. —Simonds J. L. Hudson W. Rout J. Turner T. Ludlam A. Pike W. Daniell E. Hobb C. Mounsher C. Compton G. Ramson H. S. Waitt R. Lyon W. Drake T. S. Mitchell F. Gill J. Moreing’H. Penny C, M. Garrod 11. Mac Kenzie T. Rhodes W. B. . Roe E. Dorset J. Muir J. Sutton J: Bills F.' Molesworth F,-A. Roe E. Kelham J. Vincent W. E. Catchpool E. Hartup R. Taylor W. Mac Beth J. Lowe A. Hunt T. Duke G. Fellingham G. Smith J. . Palmer R. W. Mac Hattie T. N. Burt W. • Blyth J. ■' * Watson T.S. Duncan R. Davis E. St. Hill H. Luxford W. Watt J. Heese 11. H. II Guyton W. . Fuller J. Durie D. S. Mocatta S. Bryce J. Knox F. J. Bennett G. W. Johnstone D. Jenkins R. . White J. Allen W. Sykes W. Hunter G. Edwards W. • Wright D. Rotterson A. Couper W. Mac Master A. Tomlyn J. Morrison 11. Lockyer T. i Frazer D. Scatching, J. Mac Gregor G. Crawford, G. Mackay D. Greenwood, J. H. Donald S. Featherstone,.J. E. Cameron J. Moore, G, Brewer W. Smith, W.’ ...! Cameron D. Johnson, E. Brooks S. Boy ton, H. Ludmen W. Robson, H. Lewis, J. Allen, G. Welsh, W. Jackson, J. Park, R. M'Laggan, J. Scott, G... Baker, R. Parnell, S. D. Wade, J. Roots, J. Hine, T. B. Stokes, J. M. Milwurd, O. R. Gillies, A. Dixon, J. G. R. Avery, T. (Reid, J. Every, J v Tutehew, P. Pilcher, S. Poad,,T. Sawyer, J. Mason, W. Brown, C. Virtue, G. B. Maxwell, J. Blathwayte, G. W. Brown, J. Butler, W. S. Waters, G. Johnston, J. H. Harris, Jr Mayers, H. Hartly, S. Fetchett, J.j Ashbote, T. Buckstone, H. B. North woo'd, T. London, H. J,.' Woodwood, S. Ladbrook, J, Edwards, G.

Day, K. King, J. Galpiri, W. 4, Roee, R. Johnson,’ W. Woodward, J. Holes, P. Bell, J. King, J. Hume, P. Parker, T. A. Bannester, W. Ratter, S. O’Louglin, T. Evans, M. % Wilson, G. G. Cobhett, H. Wallace, J. H. Mextead, G/ Davis, fi.' Morton, H . Robertson, G. Gibson, L.. Plummen, J. Gower, 1 J. Strang, R. R.. Monteith, G.,D. Duffield; G. Brow, R. ; , f Cundy, C. France, F: ' „ Udy, 11. Hornbrook-bA; : ' /• Howell, T. Bethune K. Levi, B. Yule J.</; . ■ Rekl; H^» D. Hay, W. SearW. Murray, A. Halswell E; ; S, Webb, C. F' NashJ. Taylor, 11. Dean J. Thorby, E. Pratt T. D. Robinson, F. Puckeridge S. Levi, S. Morgan E, / Clarkson, W. Burgess W. B. Robinson, R. Bolton F. Irving, T. Bishop J. Clark, G. AmearJ. Levin,' N. . Cooper W. A. Tailor , W. Mac Donald D. Miller, R. Cameron 0 Guthrie, T. Brandon A. B. DV- Harvey, J. Martin J. Jones, G. ?/ al J* Hort, A. Colfis J. D. Yule M. rt n A ' Smith W. Kelly,-C. Stevens C. Butler, J- HJosephs H. Sykes, G. Samuel K. Waterson, J. Stoddart, J. Hart E. Nott, W. Medhurst C. Wilson, J. Ford J-. I-lood, R. Hall 11. Hood, W. Blake G. H. Martin, E. Baines R. B. Harding, J. Stafford E. Bassitt, W. Masters J. Harvey, R. Miller W. Petherick, J.. Eades W. Hanes, L. Hill W. Bevan, T. • Sharp C. Sayswell G. Batten G. B. Pharazyn C. J.mv . Mac Connell W. Hawk W. Mason W. Butler T. C. W. Percy J. S. . Duthie A. Bidman J. Butler T. Lyle R. Roper T. Cameron P. Taylor J. Brees S. C.. White C. Mowbray A.. Marshall C.. Mathewson K. Gilhard J. Gollan, D. Finnamore W. Hodder, W. Burcham J. Seeth, W.'D. Swallow E. Sargent, H. Tucker J. MTlardy, D; King W. Mahey, C. Swan S. Bruce, P. Chitchel J. Craighead, W.. Hanson R. D. Scott, R, Murray Linfort R. White, G. Walker J. Briggs, G. Hair J. Fisher, W. Branks R. Seller, J.

Ritldiford D. Taylor, G. Fox E. J. Clapham, J.. Chetham E. Harvey, C. Chetham A. Brewster, C. Lyall A. Anderson, A. Robertson D. Kaley, T; Nicol W. Meech, H. Macarthy J.- Bevan, T.. Hawkins G. Seed, J. Johnston W. Seed, R. Ramsay T. Cullen, J. Broad G. Sant, T. Lodge J. Minifie, J. Scholes J. Knight, H. Mellon J. Warhrick A. Grace C. Hewitt, A. Shepherd W. Brown, D..H. Young G. Marshall, S. Collins J. M‘Nelly, J. Brewer W. Y. Futter, J. Mills C. Robertson, A. Underwood T. Cameron, E. Ward J. Bradford, R.