East Coast Association.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1042, 28 February 1882, Page 2

East Coast Association.

PUBLIC MEETING. On Saturday evening last at 8 p.rn., the adjourned public meeting of the above Association was held in the Masonic Hall, for the purpose of receiving the report of the Provisional Committee appointed to enquire into the working of the Native Land Acts and other grievances, and to elect a President, Vice-president, and permanent committee.

The meeting was well attended, especially by the people from the country. Shortly after the hour appointed the business of the meeting began. His Worship the Mayor, Mr C. D. Bennett, having been voted to the chair, explained the objects of the meeting, and stated that the result of the labors of the Provisional Committee would be put before the meeting, and also the rules for the adoption or amendment of the permanent committee that evening to be appointed. When that was concluded it would devolve hereafter upon the members of the Association to give all the support in their power to carrying out the objects of the Association. The sole difficulty that retarded the progress of the district was the defective condition of our land titles. Until they were remedied there was no chance of the district advancing. It was in a large degree owing to the fact that no disputed title existed in Otago or Canterbury that those places had made such rapid and prosperous strides. It was for the people of this district to agitate until a law was passed that would facilitate the dealing in land, and the adjustment of the Native titles of the Bay. After some further remarks the Chairman called upon Mr C. Penfold, the honorary secretary, to read the report brought up by the provisional committee. The report (published by us in our issue of the 18th instant) was read. Mr Carlaw Smith said that every one in the room who had listened to the elaborate report just read could not but feel obliged to the hon. sec. for drawing up such a report. He would beg to move that the report as read be adopted. This was seconded by Mr James Cattell, and carried nem. ccn. Bulks of the Association. The Secretary then read the rules upon which the Association was to be based. Mr W. K. McLean said that the meeting having heard the rules read, could perceive that they had been drawn up with great care. He would propose that the rules be adopted. This was seconded by Mr Carlaw Smith. Mr Gannon suggested that the adoption of the rules should be temporarily adjourned. There were many in lhe Hall like himself who had only then heard the rules for the first time. Captain Porter thought that the meo ing should not pass the rules, as it was onlj the Association itself that should pass the rules that were to guide it. The Chairman observed that so far as the last speaker’s remarks were concerned, the rules of the Association were not intended to apply to persons who were not members of the Association, and he would trust to the honor of those present to abstain from voting if they were not enrolled. Mr W. K. McLean suggested, and it was agreed to, that the business of the meeting should be delayed for five minutes to allow time for any persons wishing to join the Association to have their names put down. Several new members were enrolled, after which the business was resumed. Discussion then followed on Clause 9 of the proposed rules. The Clause in question read as follows:— Ruls 9.—At rhe Annual General Meeting, the President, Vice-President, and Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for the current yea: —the President and Vice-President being ex officio members of the Committee during their tennre -of office; and twelve members shall be chosen, who, in addition to the above, shall form the Committee for a period of twelve months for which they are so elected. Mr Gannon said that in his opinion the number of members to form the permanent committee should be left blank, leaving it for the meeting to determine during the evening the persons and the number to compose the Permanent Committee. Mr Chambers said the Provisional Committee had instructions to draw up rules for the guidance of the Association. These rules were submitted to the meeting for their acceptance or

rejection. There was no class interest in the matter. The whole district would benefit by the movement —every man in the place would ultimately benefit, from the poorest to the richest. A larger amount of labor would be emploved. Every individual in the community would be employed. If Mr Gannon had any amendment to propose why did he not do it. Mr A. Graham said that if the rules were passed at all they should be passed seriatim. Mr Brassey thought it would be well to pass each rule separately until they came to Rule 9, and then let the discussion take place upon that one. Mr Gannon said he objected to Rule 9 passing in its present form. All the other rules seemed acceptable enough to the meeting.

Mr Somervell proposed that Rule 9 be passed as it stood. Mr Gannon proposed as an amendment, “ That the number of members on the permanent committee be 15, and that the Chairmen of the different branch Associations, hereaater to be formed, throughout the district be ex officio members of the permanent Committee.” If the Association were to meet with the success they all desired, it was necessary that all classes of the community should be fairly represented on the committee. What he desired to see was the formation of branch institutions in this district, extending even to the Mohnka district on the one side, and Whakatane County on the other. Without the hearty co-operation of the people along the East Coast —no twelve of the most immaculate men they eould pick out Could do what was required. There were small holders at Matawhero and other parts of the district who should be represented on lhe committee, and would too, if his amendment was carried, and the branch Associations formed. Mr E. P. Joyce seconded the amendment. Mr Matthews admitted that some strong and cogent arguments had been put forward by the proposer of the amendment, but for all that a large committee would be too unwieldly. The interests of the people would not receive the attention they deserve. By large committees delays -would arise in getting a sufficient number together to form quorums. Branch Associations should certainly be formed.

Mr Gannon explained that so much work had been done by the Provisional Committee that few details would be required to be gone into by the Permanent Committee. His object in proposing the amendment was that all classes might participate in the great work that was for tho common good. Tne amendment was put, but the rule was passed in its unamended form. Mr Ferris asked if it were competent for the meeting to propose any new rule. The Chairman ruled otherwise. Mr E. ff. Ward proposed that Mr Allan McDonald, M.H.R., bo President of lhe Association. Mr A. C. Arthur said ho would second the proposition, only he had quite recently learnt from Mr Allan McDonald that that gentleman deemed it wiser that he should not compromise himself by being connected with the movement. Mr Me Donald had distinctly stated that it would be prejudicial to the interests of the Association for him to be President. Members in the House might draw from his (Mr McDonald's) connection with the Association conclusions unfavorable to its success. Mr C. D. Bennett was proposed, but he declined the office. Mr A. C. Arthur proposed that Mr Jas. Woodbine-Johnson be President, seconded by Mr 1). McKay, and carried unanimously. Mr Matthews proposed Mr C. D. Bennett as Vice-president; seconded by Mr E. ff. Ward, and carried. Mr A. C. Arthur said the next important thing to be done was to appoint a Committee. It was a matter that required careful consideration, as it would not be advisable to choose persons who, from the nature of their occupation, or from the distance they lived, would be unable to take part in the business of the committee in drafting a Bill to come before the House the present session. He would ask everybody to carefully consider the selection to be made. He would propose that the Permanent Committee be composed of the following gentlemen:—Messrs Matthews, Chambers, Wcstrup, Brassey, Ward, Tucker, Graham, Ferris, Gannon, Carrol, Cooper, and A. C. Arthur, but he would leave it for some one to propose himself. Mr Arthur was then proposed and duly seconded to bo a member of the Committee. Mr Ratcliffe seconded Mr Arthur’s proposition. Mr Scott proposed that Wi Pere be a member of the Committee. Mr E. P. Joyce thought it was absurd to have on a committee of twelve men so many whose interests were precisely the same. It would be said when the list of names was looked over that the Committee was a packed one. After some remarks from Mr. Gannon, Mr M. 11. Smith proposed Mr D. McKay. Mr Arthur proposed that the names of three Natives should be added to the Committee. Mr J. B. Poynter wished to point out a slight error. It had been stated

that the Committee of twelve would have power to add to their number. No such provision was contained in the rules that had been passed by the meeting. He (Mr Poynter) thought that the three Natives would have to be included in the twelve for the Committee. The names of many persons were proposed andseconded, when the chairman ruled that the selection of the Committee should, in accordance with Rule 9, be decided by ballot. The fob lowing is the result l — Chambers, 43 : Arthur, 43 ; Graham, 43 ; Brassey, 41; Ferris, 37 ; Carroll, 36 ; Tula Nihoniho, 36 ; Cooper, 31 ; McLean, 29 ; Wi Pere, 23 ; Tucker, 23 ; Ward, 21 ; M. Smith, 19 ; Bav of Islands, 17; Somervell, 16; C. Smith, Il; McKay, 13. The Chairman then declared the first 12 getulemen duly elected. Mr C. J. Penfold Was chosen Secretary to the Association. The Chairman announced that he had received a letter from Mr W. F. Somerville respecting his inability to attend the meeting. The following is a copy of the letter referred to :— Uatva, Tologa Bay, Feb. 23. The Chairman, Meeting of the East Coast Land Association, Gisborne. Dear Sir,—l regret greatly that I was obliged to leave Gisborne prior to the dite on which this meeting was to be held. I had wished to have the opportunity of telling the meeting what a very deep interest I feel in the object of the Association, and how sincerely I hope the labors of the Com* mittee will meet with the success they merit. I trust, however, you will make known to the meeting what 1 was unable to express by word of mouth. In a movement for the public good, such as the present one, it behoves each and every one of us who has the interests of the district, and therefore his own interests, at heart, to co-operate in, and use his best endeavors towards the object which the promoters have in view. We must not look at this movement fts made in the interests of any one section of the community. All will be benefited by a successful result. The working man and tradesman, as well as the merchant and land owner. Each one must, therefore, give the movement his active and earnest support, according to his ability and circumstances, and thus insure the eradication of a deep-rooted evil, the magnitude of w.iich we shall only fully realise after its removal. Again expressing my regret that I was unable to attend this meeting, 1 um, —Yours, &c., W. F. SOMBBVILLE. P S.—l should have mentioned that I have read the very able report of tho Provisional Committee, and would recommend its adoption by the meeting.