PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 776, 8 January 1853, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A PublicMeetingwas held on Friday, at the Mechanics' Institute, to memorialize his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief on the subject of the intended Wharf for the accommodation of Steamers, C. Clifibrd, Esq., J.P., in the chair. The following Memorial, on the motion of Capt. Rhodes, seconded by W. Bowler, Esq., was unanimously adopted by the meeting :—: — To his Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor-in-Chief, &c, &c, &c. The Memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of Wellington sheweth — That your memorialists learn by the last English mail, that there is every prospect of steam communication, wo Panama, being established within the next few months between England and the Australian colonies, one Company, the Australian and Pacific Mail Packet Company, having been already formed, received its charter' and entered into contract for the building of five iron vessels. ■ That your memorialists understand that it is intended by this Company that their steamers should, on their outward voysge to Sydney, call at one of the Northern ports of New Zealand, but that on their return to Panama they should pass through Cook's Siraits, touching either at ibis place or Nelson. That your memorialists, looking to the geographical position of Port Phillip, and to its recent rapid advancement in wealth and population, are convinced in their own minds that it must sooner or later become the great centre of steam communication between the Australian colonies and the Pareut country, and that in such case Wellington would naturally and inevitably be made the port of call for all steamers running between Panama and Port Phillip. That your memorialists are gratified to hear from the deputation which recently waited upon your Excellency, that your Excellency both fully appreciates the great advantages which would accrue to Wellington from its being made the port of call, and are earnestly desirous of securing them by any means in your Excellency's power. That your memorialists gather from the communications that have been received, that the Trustees both of the existing, and of all future Companies, will be guided in the selection of a Port in New Zealand in a great measure by the facilities afforded them for landing passengers and cargo, and for taking in coal &c. That your memorialists are given to understand that perhaps the greatest inducement they can offer to the Directors of such Companies, is the erection of a jetty with a sufficient depth of water to enable the steamers to lay alongside of it. That your memorialists would therefore very respectfully but earnestly urge your Excellency to cause immediate steps to be taken for the construction of a jetty, even though it should be of a temporary kind, and to give information to the Directors of the Steam Company that such accommodation will be provided for their vessels. That your memorialists are fully ca'isfied that ■ny expenditure incurred by your Excellency for such an object will be gladly sanctioned by the Legislature of this Province. Moved by J. C. Raymond, Esq., seconded by J. Smith. Esq., •That a deputation consisting of the following gentlemen be appointed to present the memorial to his Exellency the Governor-in- Chief, viz. :—: — Messrs. C. Clifford, J. E. Featberstoo, W. B. Rhodes, W. Bowler, J. Johnston, and W. M. Bannatyne. The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated.

Coroner's Inquest. — An Inquest was held at theNags'Head, TeAro, onWe.dnesdaylast,before Dr. Fitzgerald, Coroner, on view of the body of J. Cattell, aged a year and 8 months, the son of the landlord of that inn, who was found drowned in the stream at Te Aro, ©n the further side of the Pa. From the evidence of his brother, a lad of 12 years old, and other children who were with deceased, it appeared the child was left by himself on the bank, and had fallen into the water, and was seen by a son of Q.M. Withers, who was passing at the time. On being taken out of the water the child was found to be quite dead. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

A petition has been transmitted to his Excellency Sir George Grey, X.0.8., on behalf of William Wright, at present under sentence of transportation for life. It received in a very short space of time upwards of 160 signatures, comprising among them nine justices of the Peace, and eight ministers of religion.