PUBLIC MEETING.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 434, 11 June 1879, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

Thebe was a vary large attendance at the public meeting held in the County Council Buildings last Saturday evening, to hear and consider the proposals of Government in reply to’ the resolutions forwarded by the Defence Committee after the previous meeting. Mr Sherwood (in the chair) stated that ha should have called the meeting much sooner had he received a reply from the Defence Minister earlier. A mistake had ; been made in the Telegraph Department

in Wellington, and the reply addressed Mr Fisberwood, had been sent to Hawera. At last, after several urgent wires had been sent to. Wellington, the reply, which he w mid read, had been received. Before going further he would read two telegrams received, from tne Hon Mr Balian Tim messages read were to the effect that Government wmld speedily pi.t Patea settlers in a state of defence, that it recognised the position they were placed in, and gave it as his opinion that all enrolling for a defence force would not be expected to go out, of the district. (Hear hear). -, The chairman then read the Hon Colonel Whitmore’s reply, which we publish in full :

“ Wellington, June 6th, 1879. 11 Mr Sherwood, Patea. “Had already replied to gentlemen who signed telegram, as follows :—ln substance Government recognise gravity of position, but are hopeful that when natives see we are preparing for any eventualities, will not compel us in self-defence of our homes and properties, and maintenance of law, and order, to proceed to extremities we are therefore preparing rapidly, and organising system of complete defence. It will be fault of natives if they compel ns to render it sufficient for offence. We are arming volunteers throughout Taranaki, ami Major Noake has gone over on his way to Hawera, to carry out instructions in this respect. Waihi will ho reinforced. Ample arms and, ammunition in tbs country, but Government have, decided to retain for the actual force liable to take the field, the Sneiders now in its possession, and for volunteers enrolled onlj' to defend their immediate homes, to issue Eniiolds. The arms of the volunteers iu the South Island will be called in if necessary, but we have 5,000 arms of tho two kinds in hand, 1,000 only being Sneiders, a part of which will have rto go to A.O. recruit and Volunteer Mounted Rifles. Major Noake will see settlers, and report. Sorry he is not at Hawera yet, but trust will arrive to-day. “ G. S. Whitmore.”

Since receiving the above, he had seen Maj or Noake, who hacl.tha’t morning passed on his way to Hawera and Normanby, where he was about to organize and arm volunteer forces. The Major had informed him that he would return here as soon as possible for the same purpose. The following memo was then road : “Memo for Mr Sherwood, Chairman “ Defence Committee. “ I regret that time will not enable ,m e to meet the settlers to-night. “I wish yon to make it clear at the meeting that the Government will take every precaution to protect settlers should hostilities unfortunately arise. “ I need scarcely remind you that the fact of the settlers coming forward as volunteers for the defence of the district must have a good moral effect upon those who may intend to disturb the peace. Or that the best means of averting danger is to show that you are prepared to repel attacks.

“ I will return in a few days to enroll. “ I wish to point out to the meeting that much depends upon the judgment exercised in the election of officers, who should bo gentlemen of intelligence, and active habits. “The Government will arm those who volunteer for local defence only, with Enfield rifles, and those who will be available for service in the field, with Sneideis. “ M. Noake, Major.”

In addition to this, he would read an extract from the Taranaki Herald , which was something like a material guarantee that settlers would not he expected to cross the frontier. He would presently ask Major Atkinson to make clear the conditions of volunteering. He was pleased to see that gentleman present. The folio wing amended volunteer regulations were then read : “ Government will accept the services of volunteers during the present emergency, to be enlisted subject to three months notice, and relax the volunteer regulations in the following respects. “The uniform usually purchased by volunteers will not be insisted upon, so long as a blue shirt is worn by the members of the several corps. “ Volunteers who do not wish to leave their immediate localities, but desire to defend their own homes, will not be called upon to serve elsewhere. To such volunteers efficient Enfield Rifles will bo issued. “ Volunteers who may be willing to assist should any emergency arise, in which additional force is required for a particular short operation, in whatever part of the district, will receive Sneider arms. “ G. S. Whitmore. • “JuneS, 1879.”

The telegrams received by the committee are what you will hare to consider tonight. Several resolutions in reply, will be brought forward in due course by the members of committee for yopr approval, one as to the advisability of at once forming a defence force, the others as to arms, and the third for the purpose of getting a redoubt erected. • Since last meeting the native difficulty had become more serious looking, and it seemed clear to him that fighting would soon take place. .He believed the spirit of volunteering was as strong in Patea as in any other of the towhships on the coast, and all present would be asked to enroll—not to go into active service, but for local defence. Mr Sherwood then spode about the large quantity of arms in the possession of Southern volunteers, and thought they should be called in at once for the use of settlers in these districts.

Mr Tregenr being called on, moved, “That having heard and considered the proposals of the Government, containing the terms upon which the services of a Volunteer Defence Force will be accepted, this meeting resolves that the enrolling of members be at once proceeded with.” Speaking to, that resolution, _he considered Government had met their request in a very fair spirit, and although the Enflield Rifle had been set apart for them in place of the Sneider—a much more effective weapon—the former was not to be despised. Mr Tregear made further remarks, which want of space will not permit ua reporting, and Mr Taplin having seconded resolution, it was carried unanimously. .

Major Atkinson then being asked to come forward, addressed the meeting. He had attended at the request of Mr Sherwood, and wished it thoroughly understood that no political, purpose had induced him to do so. He would explain what had been done at hia end of the province, where difficulties first presented themselves. When the surveyors were turned off the Plains he had at once put himself in communication with Government. The native question with him was not a party one, and in taking the action he had done in the matter he had done no more than his duty as the representative of the district. He considered tlffe present Government waa a very unsatisfactory one, and more particularly at fault in its native administration. He would, however, criticise the policy on a

future occasion. The hon gentleman then briefly stated*what had been done at the rn?etingsat New Plymouth, and alluded to the visit of the Governor and Sir George Grey, -who. made a declaration in effect, That Government held it their duty to meet the difficulty, and would only ask the settlers to prepare themselves for defence, and as a supreme effort, if required, would tlieuh.e asked to t.olte tl l e field. The settlers nad put it very plainly that they only intended to; form themsol ves into a defence force, and looked to Government fo'r further .with, this were entirely agreed, and on our representation the volunteer regulations were amended. We differed only on the question of arms with J;he Government, considering their proposal to-ftrh) aett/ers with Endelcis perfectly ridiculous—When so many stand of Sniders were in the comity, Government should call them from Southern volunteers. With this Sir .George Grey afterwards agreed. In reply to special messages sent to Government, he had been informed that the Okato settlers would first ha armed with Snidpr rifles, then those of Nonnanby, and he would ad vocate the superior weapon being issued everywhere where trouble was likely to take place. He believed that trouble would take place at the Taranaki end of the district, most likely at Okato. Ho bad reasons for this which he would not fully explain. One of them was that the Ngatarunui tribe had not now so much faith in Te .Whiti as hitherto, that the Great Head: was aware of this, and knew that some of those belonging to the tribes on this end of the coast weie only sticking to-him while they thought there, was a chance of his.pulling some chestnuts from the fire for them. As far as the natives themselves were concerned, he did not for a moment suppose they Wished to fight, but were waiting for Te Wliiti to dispose of us all by supernatural means, when they found Te Whiti had not the divine power he professed to have (and he believed To Whiti believed he really had supernatural power) then would opposite means be adopted. A story given by one of the natives who had returned from a Parihaka meeting, was then relate' l , and caused considerable merriment. It was a good illustration of what Te Winti’s influence can do with the natives, the hue in question having stated that To Whiti could not be harmed by anyone, that any body of men visiting him would fall down and lick his feet. , At present the natives would believe anything,To Whiti told them, and fortunately such a phase existed. He did not wish to be understood to say that because this was the case that no danger existed. He thought every man should be put in a state of defence. The broad principle, however, that Government is responsible for the peace of the colony, should not be lost sight of. Major Atkinson then spokn of the troubles ojd Taranaki settlers had gone through, and in conclusion, ridiculed the idea of settlors asking Government to erect a redoubt here, and advised the meeting that it was not a wise course to dk tare to Government about such matters. Any questions ho would be happy to answer. Mr Hirst wished to know whether or not payment would be made to those who were sworn in for local defence. Major Atkinson was not prepared to say for certain, but in his opinion thought that there would bn no question about pay and rations. (Hear hear). Mr Thomson proposed ‘‘That this meeting respectfully urges upon the Government the desirability of at once arming the settlers of this district with Sneider rifles.” Seconded by Mr Hinde, and carried unanimously.

A third resolution asking Government to cause to be erected a redoubt for the safety of women and children, was put to the meeting, the majority voting against it After votes of thanks to Major Atkinson and the Chairman had been accorded, the enrollment of volunteers was proceeded with, and the meeting shortly afterwards broke up. Daring the evening over one hundred volunteers were enrolled.