PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 348, 2 December 1848, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A Public Meeting was held at the Britannia Saloon, Lambton-quay, pursuant to an advertisement which appeared in last Wednesday's Spectator. The Meeting was most numerously and ' respectably attended, the room being crowded with settlers, who appeared to take the greatest interest in the proceedings. On the motion of Mr. W. Hickson, J.P., seconded by Mr. R. Waitt, the Rev. R. Cole was requested to take the chair. The Rev. Chairman said he had much pleasure in attending this meeting, whether as a private member of the community or as a member of the Committee, the title of it being so evidently goodwill towards men. The object of the present meeting was to receive the Address of sympathy from the Inhabitants of Auckland, and to afford the inhabitants of Wellington an opportunity of giving expression to feelings so generally and so justly excited. The Chairman then read the communication received from the Chairman of the Auckland Meeting, together with the address and the resolutions passed at the Public Meeting. Mr. Hort, J.P., in moving the first resolution, congratulated the meeting in having as thtir chairman a gentleman so universally esteemed. It was also a matter of congratul ation to himself that he bad not left this coI lony until he had witneseed such an expression of sympathy from Auckland. The public of Auckland had with the utmost promptness subscribed for the relief of those rendered destitute by the earthquake, and they were me f to consider whether they could avail themselves of this assistance ; he believed if assistance were required it was right they <i should first relieve their fellow settlers to the utmost extent of their own means, and fortunately the cases requiring relief were not beyond their means. It must be very pleasing to see the hand of benevolence extended towards them, the Divine Being never sending affliction without at the same time sending the means of relief. He was sure that every one was endued with the feelings expressed in the resolution, and trusted they would find the means of conveying their sentiments to their felloe colonists at Auckland. The Rev. S. Ironside in brief and appropriate terms seconded the resolution. That the address to the Inhabitants of Auckland to their fellow- colonists in this settlement has exI cited in our minds feelings of the highest esteem and the most unfeigned gratitude. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Rev. J. J. P. O'Reily, in moving the address, said it was impossible not to express his hearty concurrence in sentiments so congenial to the Christian leligion, and he trusted that these spntimen s would be lasting between the two settlements, and that if it should ever please God ;o afflict our neighbours, we should be ready to render them our aid. He hop ed this calamity would be the means of amalgamating together all the settlements in New Zealand. We had heard of the munificent donations of our fellow-colonists in Auckland ; they had come forward most promptly, most cheerfully, and we could not but return them our warmest thanks for their sympathy. We have only to know one another to love one another. The Rev. gentleman then moved the following address ;—; — To oub Fellow-Colonists in Auckland and its Vicinity. We, the Inhabitants of Wellington »nd its viciniiy, in public meeting assembled, return you our most grateful and cordial thanks for the sympathy and benevolence you have displayed towards us under the recent severe dispensation of Providence with which this Settlement has been visited. While we acknowledge that this calamity has been, in some instances, attended with great destruction of property, we have abundant reason to be thankful "to the Great Being, by whose inscrutable Providence this visitation has been permitted and controlled," for his many mercies, particularly that so few lives have been lost, and that the injury sustained by the Settlement is ascertained to be so much less than was anticipated. It is also a great consolation to us, in this trial, to receive from our Fellow-Colonists at Auckland such ready sympathy, so noble andmunificent a proof their regard ; and we trust that the spirit of Christian charity, of which you have given so memorable an example, may ever influence the Colonists of New Zealand, and join in the very bond of peace the different Settlements into one prosperous and united Colony. The Rev. J. Inglis, in seconding the adoption of the address, spoke in the highest terms of the deep sympathy so feelingly displayed, and the liberal assistance so promptly render* ed, by our fellow-colonists in Auckland ; he said ; that while the intelligence received there bad evidently produced an erroneous impression on their minds as to our actual circumstances, they had, under the purest feelings of benevolence, acted up to the full extent of these impressions, in expressing their sympathy and extending their aid. It was matter of thankfulness that our neighbours had not suffered, ready as they were to help us ; and while we could not be too thankful to a merciful Providence that our circumstances were not in any measure so bad as was supposed at Auckland,

that there was little, if any, real distress in the community — that in all other respects our circumstances were highly favourable, sickness of every kind being almost unknown — employment plentiful, and wages good — provisions abundant and cheap — everything connected with the season and the settlement encouraging ; — while all this was the case, he was certain that the general feeling was that the conduct of our fellow-colonists in Auckland ought to he as highly appreciated and as gratefully acknowledged as if we had been in the very severest distress in which they feared we should be before their aid could arrive. The address was then put to the Meeting, and carried by acclamation. Mr. Woodwarp, at the request of the Chairman, explained to the meeting the views of the Committee. The Committee did not pledge themselves to any mode of proceeding they left it in the hands of the meeting, but they held themselves as Trustees to the people of Auckland to appropriate the funds according to the purpose named. The Committee had held two meetings and each member had been invited to mention any cases of distress under his notice. These cases were so few, that the Committee were of opinion that they were called on to return the money. That many persons have suffered severe loss the Committee well knew, but they had not yet heard of any case of such ex-" trenrae urgency as would justify them in drawing on a fund given under the idea that we were in a state of extreme destitution. The Committee, therefore, up to that time, were of opinion that they should not be acting consistently with their trust, if they at once distributed the money. They had not sent it back, and were not prepared to do so ; for if any cases should appe_ar beyond our'own means of relief, they hold the fund as applicable to this purpose. They, however, felt the utmost reluctance in appropriating the fund to any purposes not strictly in accordance with those for which it was intended, as indicated by the resolution of the meeting in Auckland. It wts open for any one to express his views on the subject. Mr. Roots (who was very unfavourably ieceived) disapproved of returning the momy; he thought it would be an insult to the Inhabitants of Auckland, and moved that the ' money be placed in the Bank until they could ascertain their sentiments. — The resolution i was not seconded. I Dr. Featherston rose to propose the next resolution. He said they bad met for no ordinary purpose. It was one in which all classes look a deep interest, and desired to to carry out their views in such a manner as to express their warmest sympathy to the inhahiianls of Auckland for the generous manner in which they had come forward ou this occasion. He felt that it was extrei> ely difficult to express these feelings, theie had been great rivalry between the settlements, still in the time of extremity they had buiied in oblivion every feeling of rivalry and, prompted by the generous impulses of their hearts, had endeavoured to lend us their assistance under our difficulties. It was incumbent on them to respond in the same spirit and to show that the Bishop was right when he said that he had such implicit confidence in the settlers of Wellington, that he felt convinced if the money were only landed on the beach it would be properly distributed, f great cheers). Before they decided as to the appropriation of the money he would invite their earnest attention to the circumstances under which it was raised, and if they were satisfied that it was under the influence of unfounded or grossly exaggerated statements he would ask them as men of honour whether they could do otherwise than return it, accompanied with the same thanks as if they had been compelled to accept it. Dr. F. referring to the Lieutenant-Gover-nor's despatch said, that the people of Auckland had been informed that the town was in ruins. Was that true ? If it had consisted of brick buildings only, then he would confess there might have been some grounds for that statement, but when they considered that the value of the buildings in the town was not less than £200,000 and that the damage was estimated at about £15,000, he would ask them whether the writer was justified (order) even in the excitement of the moment in hazarding an assertion which would do infinitely more damage to the Settlement than all they had yet suffered. There might be some amongst them who would 'have to begin the world again, but the assertion that the Town was in ruins shewed an ignorance of the resources of the settlers and the amount of the damage that had been sustained, The subscribers had been further informed that a blow had been struck at the prosperity, almost at the very existence of the settlement . There had been from the beginning of the settlement, and nearly up to the present time, a continued succession of difficulties. They had had to struggle against the difficulties occasioned by the unsettled state of the land claims, and the losses incurred by

tbe fire, they had seen the tragedy of the Wairau, they had felt the inconvenience and loss of the lale war, and were now suffering from the effects of the recent calamity. They had received blow after blow, arid in spite of them the settlement would still go on. Instead of their energies being paralyzed, they would expand, and these impediments, instead ©f inducing them to abandon the colony, would only stimulate them to use fresh exertions. The subscribers had been further told that the damage which had already occurred, and the terror which such a visitation produced, would drive from the colony all who could fiud means of getting away. He believed this statement would no more bear investigation than the others. He believed that ninetynine out of every one hundred persons had too much interest in the colony to think of abandoning it, and that not more forty or fifty souls, including men, women and children, ever expressed such an intention. Such being the representation on which the subscriptions had been raised, he could not believe that they would hesitate as to returning the money, he could not believe that they would degrade the colony by accepting money subscribed under such a misapprehension, He might also remind them that until the facts of the earthquakes are fully stated, they might rest assured that the confidence of the people at home would be shaken, emigrants would cease to come, and consignments would be stopped. He urged them therefore to publish the liberality of their fellow-colo-nists at Auckland, and at the same time that they did not require to accept of their proffered aid. Such would be the best means of refuting these mis-statements, but if they accepted the money it would only substantiate the report. He would rest his appeal on the high estimation in which they were held, and he hoped the feelings of self respect which they had ever cherished and would still continue to cherish would regulate their decision. (Great cheers). Dr. F. then moved the following resolution: — That this meeting, being of opinion that the effects of the late calamity are not of such a character as our fellow-colonists in Auckland have been led to believe, and being also of opinion that they will best show their heartfelt appreciation of the prompt and munificent manner in which aid has been afforded by refusing to take an itni proper advantage of the kindness thus manifested, do therefore advise the Committee to return the I money subscribed, coupled with the expression of | their warmest thanks. [ The resolution was seconded by Mr. Stokes, | Mr. Carpenter moved the following amendment :—: — That this meeting jpstruot the Committee to accept the funds so kindly subscribed by our feUowcolonists at Auckland. The amendment was supported by Mr. Roots, Mr, Wade said there appeared to him to be, on the part of the Committee a misapprehension as to their position. He held that the Committee had not the power of appropriating the fund, that every man who had suffered by the earthquake had a voice in the matter, and thought Mr, Carpenter's amendment should not be objected to. Mr. Woodward explained that the Committee, considering the money to be subscrioed under a misapprehension, had come to ask whether or not the distress existed which the money was intended to relieve, if so, they were prepared to apply the money ; but if it did not exist, then they were prepared to send it lack, Mr, Fox said he wished to address a few words on the general question, whether the money be kept for the relief of the distressed persons, or whether it be returned, there being no distressed persons to receive it. The point was one of great importance ; it would depend on their decision whether numerous parties who are looking for a mode of escape from those moral and political earthquakes which are now agitating Europe will come here or not. By accepting this money they would set their seal to the report which had gone home. If they accepted of that sum of £500, every person hearing of it at home would believe that the town is in ruins. And would any person come here, believing that report ? If they accepted that five hundred pounds, it would be believed at home that all persons were wishing to escape from this settlement. They would not believe that when the Subraon left she had only forty-five passengers. They would not believe that wheu that vessel was unfortunately wrecked most of those persons made up their mind not to go avray. They would believe that this Province had received " a blow from which it would not readily recover." He believed it bad already recovered, in the increased energy with which the colonists set themselves to look the difficulty in the face. In reciprocal good will to their fellow colonists, let them recommend tbe committee to return the money. If any distress existed, then let a subscription be raised amongst ourselves. (Great cheers.) He, on behalf of the New Zealand Company,

would head the list with what he was sure would be called a liberal subscription, and on bis own private account with what he could afford. (Cheers.) The Rev. S. Ironside thought that at present they were not in a position to send the money back, they had not had time to ascertain if there were any cases of distress. Many of those persons who had suffered would be the last to allow their distress to be known. He thought that to send back the money would be very premature. (Disapprobation). Mr. Woodward said that, having previously expressed the sentiments of the Committee, he wished to have an opportunity of stating his own. If there were any such cases of distress as this sum was subscribed for, there was a fund which a public meeting could at once make available for the purpose. The Committee had no desire to shrink from the labour but they did not wish to appropriate the money to other than such cases for which it was subscribed by our fellow-colo-nists, If there are any such cases is it not a reproach that we should not have done anything for six weeks, he protested against using the money, and would never consent to trespass on others for what we were bound to do for ourselves. When we had done all we could, then, if necessary, let us appeal to them, but not before, and then bye and by j they would feel that they could trust us, should we on any future occasion require their ' aid. He felt that he could not honest- ' ly have anything to do with the money, and therefore he cordially supported the resolution that the Committee be advised to return it forthwith. After a few words from Mr. Carpenter, the Chairman then put the amendment to the i meeting — only three hands were held up for it ; and the original resolution was put and carried unanimously amidst loud applause, Mr. Fox having previously stated his intention that, in the event of the money being returned, he should propose that a subscription be set on foot by the Committee if required, begged to move the following resolution : — That the same Committee be requested to receive applications from parties who may have suffered by the earthquake ; and if they find that the case requires it, that they set on foot a public subscription in Wellington for the relief of such sufferers, and that the Committee have power to add to their cumber. The resolution was seconded by Dr. Featherston, and carried unanimously. The Chairman having left the chair, it was taken by Mr. Hort, Mr. J, Smith then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr. It. Waitt, and passed with acclamation.