PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 26, 5 April 1845, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING.

On Friday, March 29th, a Public Meeting was held at Barrett's Hotel, by adjournment from Mr. Clifford's house, to hear the arrangements made by the magistrates for the defence of the settlement in the event of any sudden attack 1 y the Natives. Mr. Clifford was called to ihe chair, and explained, at some length, the proposed arrangements — namely, to divide the town and settlement into districts, to swear in special constables, and to organise them as an effective force, and to appoint plaoes of refuge in each distinct, which were to be fortified for the safety of the women and children in the event of an attack. In the course of his observations he stated, that Major Richmond was very desirous of doing all in his power, 1 on the part of the Government, to provide", for the protection of the settlement, and would sanction such measures as might be deemed necessary

by the inhabitant*, to secure tlii<- end. A desultory conversation followed, as to the best plan to be adopted on the occasion, after which it was unanimously lesolved :—: — That a Committee be formed of the Magistrates of the district, and the followiag Gentlemen. MAJOR HORNBROOK, MAJOR BAKER, MAJOR DURIE, CAPTAIN SHARP, Mr. COMPTON, and that they be requested to co- operate with his Honor the Superintendent and the military authorities in adopting such measures as might be deemed necessary for the defence of the settlement, and the protection ol the lives and property of the inhabitants-. The Committee met together in the course of the day to make the necessary arrangements, which were made public at a meeting held in the evening, at Mr. Davis's Saloon., Lambton Quay, at which Mr. Clifford presided. After reading the arrangements of the Magistrates to 1 the meeting, the following lesolutions werei ,passed unanimously :—: — "That this meeting deeply sympathises with the refugees from the Bay of Islands, in their loss of property, and the desolation of their homes. > "That disastrous events of the kind, that! have taken place at the Bay of Islands, have, long been foreseen by the settlers, and are the necessary consequence of the ruinous policy which has so long been acted upon by the Colonial Office and Local Government. "That we, as Colonists, hold the Mother Country responsible for her Colonial policy, inasmuch as we have no power of interfering with it. " That His- Excellency be mged to take steps to ascertain, upon the best evidence now remaining, the amount of the loss sustained by each of the unfortunate refugees of the Bay of Islands ; and to publish the same forthwith in the Official Gazette. " That a petition to Parliament be prepared and forwarded by the Caledonia, calling upon the the Home Government to grant compensation to the sufferers by the- defeat at the Bay of , islands. " Thai every gentleman- in this Colony having any acquaintance with Members of Parliament, be requested to address the same, urging them to support the application for the grant in. question. " That an appeal be made to the British public for subscriptions in aid of lh& Bay of Islands refugees; and that the press of our Mother ' Country be requested to use its powerful influence in behalf of our distressed fellow Colonists. ! " That the New Zealand Cumpony,, and others interested in the welfare of this colony, residing at home, be requested to support the application to Parliament, and the appeal to the generosity of the British public. " That the destructive policy so long acted u.pon by the Government of this Colony has nearly ruinad all lite settlers, and" that in consequence they have it not in their power to do mare than contribute to the temporary support of the Bay of Islands refugees. " That a Committee be formed to collect subscriptions to be forwarded to, Auckland, to be appropriated to the victims of false philanthrophy, "That the settlers take this, the earliest opportunity of expressing the admiration with which they regard the heroic conduct of Captain Robertson, of Tl. M. S. Hazard; and they beg to condole with him in his sufferings ! and that the settlers beg to thank the officers, sailors, and marines, ofH. M. S. Hazard, generally, for their gallant conduct on the 11th March at the Bay of Islands. " That Mr. Hector and other civilians at the Bay of Islands set au example we hope all other Colonists will follow, should they ever unfoitunately find themselves in equally trying circumstances. Nothing could exceed the energy and determination of the Settlers on this occasion. Immediately on Mr. Clifford's leaving the chair, the magistrates commenced swearing the settlers in as special constables, and upwards of one hundred were sworn in in the course of the evening.. Morning and Evening drill has been steadily practised during the last week at Thorndon an&Te-aro, and the number of volunteers asscmbledinthe evening at both places has seldom been less than Wo hundred and fifty. The fortifications are proceeding with great vigour, but we are- informed that additional assistance is still required to carry on the works with the necessary expedition. We are sure thi* hint to the public spirit of our fellow colonists will not be given in vain.