THE CLAIMS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4542, 11 October 1875, Page 3

THE CLAIMS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SEW ZEALAND 188. Sir —The time is fast approaching when we shall have another anniversary (January ?2) of tlie fo™danf the colonv. I was present at the last anniversary banquet, and listened with much attention and admiration to an eloquent address from the bupennter»dent who was chairman of the banquet. He pro™“ed thrtoast “The Pounders of the Colony,’ and, as is his wont, did full justice to so important a toast Air Wallace, one of the vice-chairmen at the banquet, responded to the toast in an eloquent speech, and exmessed an opinion, that was heartily responded to, that he would like to see the services of_ the practical founders of the colony recognised. Since the banquet, held last January, referred to, a huge and Influential public meeting of the practical founders of the colony has been held—it took place at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on June 15th last. I was also present at that meeting, and was much surprised tosee such a gathering of upwards of 300 of the bona fide practical founders of the colony o: ><ew Zealand. Ao one could mistake the object of the meeting aud warmth with which the early settlers took the matter 1 The result of the meeting was the preparation of a petition to Parliament, in which was set forth the claims of the practical founders of the colony, which have been so eloquently spoken of by Mr. Fitzherbert and others. The petition the result of the public meeting of early colonists from all parts—was presented to Parliament m the early part of the session by Sir George Grey who is thoroughly acquainted with the struggles and repeated disappointments the pioneers were subjected to be having been sent to the colony by the .British Government to extricate it from the serious dithculties in which it was then placed.' Sir George Grey has had plenty of proof of the warmth of feeling all the old settlers have towards him, and the fact of his presenting the petition to which 1 am alluding, is another proof of the genuine good feeling that he entertains towards the pioneers of the colony. Now, with regard to the petition, which, as I understand, was received, read, printed, and placed in the hands of the Public Petitions Committee.—l say with regard to the petition, what has become of it? I am aware that the Abolition Bill has occupied the time and thought of our legislators night and day, and that Mr. Fitzherbert and our other members have been deeply interested in the result of the measure. That having been so far disposed of, would it be out of place it those gentlemen who are fond of singing the praises of the “Early Settlers” would now turn their attention to the objects of the petition presented by Sir George Grey, and let those early settlers who are interested in this matter know the views of the Legislate on the subject ? As one of those practical pioneers, I hope that our legislators, particularly those who lay claim to the “honor,” as it is termed, of being “early settlers, ” will give as much attention to the petition of the earlv settlers as they have done to the Abolition Bill. If they do so it will be a proof at all events of the interest they take in a very large body of those settlers who have placed them in the position they now occupy. As an old settler I watch the result with interest. —I am, &0., A Makaba Settler. October 9.