WANGANUI. PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 131, 31 October 1846, Page 3

WANGANUI. PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting of the inhabitants of Wanganui was held this day, October 26, to take into consideration the propriety of addressing the Governor on the critical state of the settlement. Dr. Rees having been called to the chair, read a raemoiial to the meeting, which had been prepared by a committee, and of which the following is a copy. : — To His Excellency George Grey, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Islands of New Zealand and their dependencies, and Vice-Adrairal of the same. Sir, — We, the undersigned land-claimants under the New Zealand Company, and others, inhabitants of Wanganui, beg, most respectfully, to memorialize your Excellency on the present critical state of this district. The return of the rebel chief, Te Karamu, who arrived on the 25th ult., has been followed by the col'ection in the town of a ttauta t consisting of 140 natives, all well armed. Their sole object, as stated by them, was to join Rangihaeata ; but the friendly chiefs had a strong apprehension that the property, and possibly the lives of the Europeans, would be sacrificed ; a fear which, from subsequent events, we have every reason to believe, was well founded : and we have no hesitation in stating, as our deliberate conviction, that had they not been held in check by the presence of the natives belonging to the missionary pa, Putiki Wareuui, this settlement would not j now be in existence. From the character of the chiefs who are in the interest of the rebels, and the numbers they are now endeavouring to collect in the interior, our future prospects are most unfavourable; even the present application to your Excellency is not unattended with danger, the decided part taken by the frieudly natives, already mentioned, has increased the enmity of the disaffected, and they have declared their intention to attack the inhabitants of this place, without discrimination, on proceeding to join Rangihaeata. From the increasing difficulties of our position, we see no security either for property or life, without immediate and efficient protection : and we do, therefore, most humbly and earnestly entreat, both for our own safety, and for the encouragement and assistance of those natives of this district, who are friendly to the Government, that such measures be taken as your Excellency may deem proper, so as to extend to us such protection. The memorial was signed by fifty-six persons. It was proposed by Mr. King, P. M., seconded by Mr. Churton, and carried unanimously — That the memorial be forwarded to his Excellency. Proposed by Mr. Lett, and carried unanimously — i That the cordial and sincere thanks of the meeting be given to the Christian natives belonging to the pa Putiki Warenui, for their valuable services during the last five days.