CORONER'S INQUEST.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 203, 17 January 1866, Page 6 (Supplement)

CORONER'S INQUEST.

_,_ inquest was held at the Police Station, Eskstreet, on Saturday, January 6, before Dr. Deck, Coroner, on the body of John Alfred Wild, who died very suddenly the previous day. The following are the names of the jury impannelled—Messrs. Kingsland (foreman), Cooper, Hay, Beaven, Eken^teen, Wright, Smith, Porter, Colyer, Wild, Goodwilhe, MTvor, Reese, and Hanna. The first witness examined was William Todd, who deposed — I am an auctioneer, residing in Invercargill. I have known the deceased for about eighteen months ; he has been lately residing in Spey-street. His habits appeared temperate until about the past Christmas, when I noticed a change, although he had not been working at the store some days. On Christmas day the place was closed, and as I was going out of town I asked deceased to keep the place for me, wliich he did, until my return on Tuesday. This was the last I saw of him until Thursday night, when I was called hi to see him ; he was lying ill on a stretcher in the room. I asked him how he was ? He said he felt a little better, and complained of his back, where he said he had had a mustard pl»ster, which was very painful. I stayed about half an hour in the place with him, and then left. He complained of suffering about the Moneys. Yesterday morning, when coming down Dee- street, about eight o'clook, I saw Mr. Ay ton, and had a conversation with him concerning deceased. He told me that unless something was done speedily, Wild would either, commit suicide or go into delirium tremens. We then arranged to get a party to attend him — a Mr. Windsor — for whom I at once went. When Windsor came down, Mr. Ayton and I went with him to deceased's place, leaving strict orders to let him have no drink, and let no one in. We then returned to Mr. Ayton's, who sent up a basket of supplies. - The next time I went up was about half-past five p.m. yesterday, when I found deceased in bed. I asked Windsor how deceased had been. He said he was not able to control him, that he had gone outside on some pretext, and that he had been to a public-house in Esk-street. Windsor said be would not remain there any longer by himself. I then returned to Mr. Ayton's. We talked over the matter, and deemed it advisable to have deceased taken to the. Gaol or Hospital, where restraint could be placed upon him. Saw Mr. Commissioner Weldon passing, and called his attention to the circumstances; he gave an order for Constable Wilson to arrest. I went to the deceased's house with the constable — he was lying on the stretcher as before. We lifted him out of the bed into the next room.. Constable Wilson did not like his appearance, and said we had better send for a doctor at once. He (Wilson) then went for one. During the constable's absence, deceased was lying on his back upon a mattress, making a gurgling noise through his throat, as though *^ c breath were coming through water. Deceased spoke to the effect that his end was nigh. Constable Wilson returned without a doctor. We then got a ladder and laid the mattress upon it, and with assistance carried deceased to the Police Station. Dr. Monckton arrived there shortly after — about ten minutes. Deceased was first taken into the watch-house, but on the doctor's arrival he ordered him to be walked up and down the yard, and gave orders that he should, if necessary, be whipped to make him walk, stating that if allowed to remain still for five minutes the man would die. During the treatment he died. I walked with one of the constables, supporting deceased for about a quarter of an hour. He seemed to revive a little and recognised Dr. Monckton, and said he did not think I would have taken him to the watch-house After this he wanted to he down. W e tu en took him down to the green at the other end of the yard, and called Dr. Monckton's attention to him — that he was getting weaker. The doctor then went for the stomach-pump, and found it broken, so that it would not work. He then felt deceased's pulse, and said nothing more could be done. The body was then taken inside. Deceased had been lashed with a riding whip, under the doctor's orders, to make him move, for perhaps a quarter of an hour, and might have been struck some sixty times by different persons. At first, when whipped, deceased said, "It is no use to me." It was after the flagelation the stomach-pump was gone for. During the first quarter of an hour the deceased walked with support ; it was afterwards that he was whipped. I believe the doctor went to Mr. Clarke's, the chemist, for another stomach-pump. By a Juror. — I have heard deceased complain of an affection of the kidneys, which he attributed to a cold. I did not hear Dr. Monckton say anything about the stomach-pump at first. By the Coroner. — As far as I know, deceased had not been drinking lately. It was Mr. Windsor who spoke tome of deceased's going to Esk-street. i I know nothing of his habits since Tuesday last, j When I saw him, he might have been under the influence of drink; the last time he would not move. In all my three visits I found the smell of spirits. I may mention that we took a bottle of gin from beneath his pillow on Friday. He recognised me last night — he said, " Good-bye, Todd ; you will see me no more after to-night — dead, dead." _he gurgling noise then came on again. I have no doubt he knew he was dying. He seemed to revive when taken into the open air, but did not want to move. So long as he walked he was not flogged. Dr. Monckton said if he were ' not kept awake he would die. Deceased did not complain of the stripes inflicted. They were given on the fleshy parts. He said very little, except "It is of no use." John Windsor deposed that he knew the deceased. Messrs. Todd and Ayton had taken wit- : ness down to deceased's house the previous day, to look after him and try to keep him from drink. [We omit that portion of the witness' evidence, ' wliich is simply a repetition of that given by Mr. Todd.] During the afternoon, he wanted me to fetch him some brandy. I refused. He said he would go himself; I said he would not go out of the house. He got away before I could catch sight of him. When he came back he went into his bedroom, and I found he had obtained a sodawater bottleful of spirits. He drank some, and put the rest under his bed. I said I should tell Mr. Ayton. I went outside for a moment, and when I came back he' had emptied the bottle. He then laid down on his back, making a terrible noise with his throat. This was about half-past 5 p.m. Mr. Todd came then. I told him it was no use my being there, and what deceased had done, and said I thought I should go home. Mr. Todd said, " Then I shall give him in charge at once, and he will be taken care of." By a Juror. — I only saw deceased drink a sodawater bottleful of spirits. I was instructed to look after deceased to prevent his drinking, and was to have been paid. Ido not think I earned anything by what I did. By another Juror. — I did not perceive any sediment in die bottle. I think it was brandy he drank. I did run after deceased when he went to Esk-street, but only got him when he had obtained what he wanted. I do not know the place he went to. . The Coroner. — You should have looked after him more carefully. The Witness (an elderly man).— He struck at me, and threatened to knock me down if I touched the bottle. A Mrs. Hare was the only person who came in the morning, but she brought no spirits. Frances Hare gave evidence to the effect that deceased — who lived in the next cottage to where she resided — had been drinking heavily of late, and that, ns he appeared to be suffering severely from its effects, she had repeatedly taken him tea, and tried to get him to eat something. A Mrs. Stewart had brought drink to deceased. The night before last, Mrs. Stewart's boy had brought a bottle of gin and some beer to the deceased, which witness endeavored to take from him, but he would not give it up. When Mr. Ayton came in the morning, he broke all the bottles containing drink. By the Coroner.—-Decea_ed w_j sensible when : J caw hiw y ea^rdsy,

Mr. Weldon here informed the jury that if they considered the evidence of Mrs. Stewart necessary she should be at once sent for. From her reputed character her testimony would, however, be unreliable. The jury expressed the opinion that her attendance was not requisite. Constable E. Wilson gave evidence corroborative of the witness Todd. Dr. G-rigor deposed he had made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased, J. A. Wild. Externally there were extensive bruises on the lower part of the. back and thighs. There was a smell of spirits about the mouth. On opening the head found the brain congested. The lungs were ako congested. There were some oldstanding adhesions to the posterior part of the lungs. The right side of the heart was distended with blood, but there was no disease of that organ. The liver was much enlarged. The stomach contained about half-an-ounce of fluid, apparently gruel ; the mucous membrane was congested, and presented red patches over its surface. There was no smell of spirits in the stomach. The spleen was unusually small. The other organs were healthy. I did not examine the kidneys. From the appearance of the stomach and. brain, I felt no doubt death had been caused by alcoholic poisoning. In a case of the kind it could not be expected to find the spirits in the stomach, as they would be absorbed very rapidly. By Mr. Weldon. — The bruises on the back of deceased might have been produced by a stick or whip. The other marks on his person were a black eye and the mark of a blister on the back. By a Juror. — The blood in the heart was not in excess of what might be expected, when death occurred from such a cause as deceased's. , In reply to another Juror. — I had heard the man had been drinking ; but if not, I should have concluded it to be the case from the smell of spirits about the mouth. I have no experience of flogging j I believe it is usual in the army and navy to have a surgeon present to feel the. pulse. Knowing nothing of the case, I cannot, as a medical man, give an opinion as to the advisability of the treatment pursued. I should examine any case belore treatment; but not having been present, I cannot say whether I should have done the same — the patient being in a comatose state — as Dr. Monckton. Had. there been anything wrong with the kidneys, the flogging would not have produced death so suddenly. Flogging is recommended by some authors when the stomach-pump cannot be employed, or circumstances prevent the use of an emetic. The Coroner. — The action of alcohol is sometimes very rapid, and unless the stomach-pump were applied almost immediately, it might be of no use. ' Dr. Grigor, in reply to some further questions by jurors, said— I should not, if called in, and knowing the patient to ,be very weak, order flogging ; but the effect of drink might, through causing an inabihty to walk, give the same appearance as weakness. Mr. Weldon. — Was the treatment pursued in accordance with the received practice in cases of the kind? Dr. Gfrigor. — It would depend upon the case and the health of the man. In the absence of other remedies, it might be the best means to keep him up. Deceased was a man of middle age. I should consider it would be necessary to support a man in the condition of deceased while walking him about. . Francis Alexander Monckton, surgeon, deposed — I was called about seven o'clock yesterday evening to see the deceased in Esk-street. I saw the state he was in, and went immediately to the Hospital for the stomach-pump. I requested the police to lift deceased up by the arms, and, if possible, force him to walk up and down, the yard. I borrowed a whip, as he would only walk a little, being in a state of semi-coma. I instructed the constables to force him, if possible, to exertion, by severely flaggelating him; and, thinking they would not understand the absolute necessity of the treatment, I commenced it myself, to show them I was in earnest. To enable this to be done more effectually, I called in volunteers from, the street to assist in relieving the constables, who were supporting deceased. I instructed one of the constables to have a large bowl of mustard and water prepared; but I do not know whether it was done, as, upon attempting to use the stomachpump, I found a part unsoldered, rendering it unfit for use. I should have used the mustard and water with the stomach-pump. I immediately for another to Mr. Clarke's, the chemist - .. He had not got one, but at once went about to get one. When eventually he arrived it was too late, the man was dead. He died while two men were supporting him. I I was in the lock-up at the moment. The instructions I gave were not to suspend the flagelation if he would not walk, as the man's life depended upon it. I believe flagelation to be necessary in [ a case of impending death from the cause stated, and that I shotdd have rendered myself liable to censure for neglect if I had not used such means, which are usual in cases of poisoning by alcohol. By a Juror. — The purpose of the flagelation was to produce pain, and is in accordance with the practice in London Hospitals. [Mr. Monckton here read from authorities on the subject in support of his views.] Mr Monckton continued — The man was too comatose to swallow; he several times roused up under the application of the whip, which afforded the only chance of saving his life. I did not consider him to weak to bear it. I did not feel his pulse during the flagelation, knowing what it would be until consciousness was restored. It is possible the man's life might have been saved if the stomach-pump could have been applied in time. In a case of coma, ticlding the throat with a feather would be of no use. I. N. Watt, Resident Magistrate at Campballtown, gave evidence to the effect that when a medical student at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, he had seen a patient in a comatose state through swallowing laudanum treated by flagelation while supported by two men. He thought the best proof of the necessity for the adoption of the last resource by Mr. Monckton was given by the sudden death of the patient. By a Juror — I do not think that death was accelerated by the flagelation. The patient, in a state of coma, has neither strength nor feeling, and it is necessary to arouse the system by a shock of some kind. A man might be comatose and recover without such treatment, as for instance in some cases of fracture of the skull, ▼here the operation of trephining at once restored consciousness. By Mr. Monckton — Any torture short of organic injury would not cause immediate death, and it might be requisite at all hazards to arouse the patient. The enquiry was then closed. After a deiberation of about a quarter of an hour, the jury returned a verdict of "Died by alcoholic intoxication." I

We regret to have to record a case of accidental death, which occurred to a settler named Fettes, through the upsetting of a bullock dray on Wednesday, 3rd inst. Several deaths by violence are reported in the J Northern papers. Near Wellington, a wife has been murderedby her husband, who also attempted to commit suicide. In Auckland Province, the body of a man, recognised as Hugh Hopkins, a j discharged soldier of the 58th Regiment, has been ' picked up near Mahurahgo Heads ; and the corpse of another man, unknown, on the road to the Titirahgi Ranges. " Constable Houghton, of! Qnehuhga, when in search of the murderer Stack, j fell frOm the steamer Rangiriri, and was drowned. At Taranaki, a young man, named Ascot Bayly, of the Mounted Corps, was drowned while crossing Stony Rriver. At Christchurch, a mon, named Alexander Selfe, has been drowned in the Avon, under suspicions of suicide ; and, at Hokitika, a constable, named Carr, has been seriously wounded by the accidental discharge of his own revolver when engaged in quelling a street disturb- .

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE THEATRE. A public meeting was held at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening last. The subject was the desirability of promoting emigration to this province from Great Britain. Mr. Eingsland was unanimously voted to the chair. The Chaieman opened the. proceedings by reading the advertisement convening the meeting. Mr. Lumsden in the first resolution said he was glad to see that although some of the gentlemen who were expected to attend, were not there, yet they should, notwithstanding, get to business. He had not come prepared with a speech, although he might state his own opinion that we could not progress as a province without increased population. Our general prosperity would expand, and with the clearing of forest, and cultivation consequent upon the extension of settlement, the climate would be improved. A prejudice existed in some minds that immigration tended to produce a glut of labor— that the population introduced would not find employment—but that was all nonsense, and he could not agree with them. A larger population here would be of mutual benefit to each other. Of course there should be some selection in the class of immigrants ; it would not do to have, for instance, a ship-load of carpenters or blacksmiths, as they would not all find employment. In utilising the raw material we had, the labors of the agriculturist were chiefly required, although labor alone, without capita^, would be hke an engine without steam. This was alluded to in the resolution, and although at first sight it might appear that they were actuated by selfish views, yet there were thousands of our countrymen at home poorly paid, and struggling onwards as small farmers, who would in this province, in a few years raise themselves in the social scale in a manner they could never otherwise expect. He considered the thanks of the community were due to the convener of the meeting — Mr. Dalrymple — for his independent and energetic action. One reason to justify early action was, that the price of land would probably be raised to £2 per acre in two year's from this time, so that the inducements to invest now presented to the industrious settler or even the speculator would at the expiration of that time be lost. The subject was mooted in the resolution he had to propose of " employing means to inform the public mind in the mother country as to the real resources and advantages of Southland as a field for colonization." It would, he thodght, be advisable to employ some one as an agent to perambulate the home country, as more good might be done and more information conveyed by actual conversation than by reading books. He remembered the success of the labors of Dr. Laing of Sydney, some twentyfive years ago, which were a good sample of what might be done. He (Mr. Lumsden) did not believe in giving a rose-colored account of colonial life, and would denounce any attempt to so depict it. The actual truth was for better giving to the hardy Briton a clear idea of the toils and hard--hips to be endured by a colonist in connection with the success naturally attending upon enterprise. He would now leave the resolution in the hands of the meeting. " That it is the opinion of this meeting that it is eminently desirable some steps be taken as early as possible by our local Government to promote a resumption of emigration to this Provinca of such a class of emigrants as may be expected to advance the real settlement and improvement of the country. And that to further tliis object this meeting considers means ought to be adopted to inform the public mind in the mother country as to the resources and advantages of Southland ■bs a field for colonization." Mr. P. Da_bymp_e, in seconding the resolution, said the last speaker had remarked that they were somewhat ill-used by the absence of persons expected. He himself felt quite the reverse. He believed this was the third meeting he had convened, each equally successful in obtaining the desired object — in one instance rather more in fact. What he desired it convening the meeting was that the people of the Province might have a full and fair opportunity of expressing their opinion either for or against immigration from Great Britain and Ireland. In his opinion, the great necessity of this country was a population of fixed, industrious habits. Once that want supphed, everything else would follow. He had always contended for promoting emigration from among the yeomanry of the home countrj men eminently manly and true-hearted — small proprietors and farmers, who could, if need were, cultivate their own land — a similar class, in fact, to many of the early settlers of this Province. At the same time he would not wish to exclude the bone and sinew necessary to develope the wealth and strength of the country — the intelligent agricultural laborer and his family. Now that the General Government had given us liberal land laws, and, he believed, rendered us every assistance that reasonable people could desire, he had no hesitation in saying that the future prosperity of the Province depended upon the adoption of a wise scheme of immigration. He hoped that some of those present would come forward and give their views on the subject. Mr. Beaven, before the resolution was put desired to make a few remarks. A regular stream of immigration was desirable. Here we had at one time a regular, or rather irregular stream immigrants about two years ago, but during the last 18 months it had been the reverse, an exodus having followed upon the discovery of the West Coast Gold-fields. There could be no doubt that all present would benefit by a steady influx of immigrants — the question was, have we superior induceraentsjto offer. If we could show nothing better than the old country its people had better remain there. His own firm conviction was that they would be better off here especially with reference to the small farmers — men with capital ranging from £100 to £1000 who could work on there own farms, and laborers. He had heard of their being a scarcity of employment but in his experience really useful men could always find work at first rate wages. One reason why capitalists did not come here was that litlte — either good or bad was known of the province abroad. Information on the subject there was almost none. When he came out to the colony some six years ago'he experienced great difficulty in England in ascertaining anything respecting Otago and it was not till he got there and met older settlers that he heard anything of Invcrcargilll. The necessity for diffusing information about the Province was so much appreciated some two years since that a resolution was passed by the Provincial Council to offer a prize of £50 for the best pamphlet on the subject. This was before the crisis, which had since taken place, and was never carried into effect. He was, however, still of opinion that some such production authenticated by the names of well known colonists should be sent home not bearing the impress of a mere handbook issued by a shipping Company but as a work written by some one in the colony and conversant with its resources. This should be in addition to the services of a paid agent who might still further disseminate informationt on the subject. What was required was that every vessel bringing i mmigrants should at the same time bring with it.the capital requisite for the profitable employment of the accompanying labor, farmers, unlike merchants, were not monopolists — they were glad to see an accession to the number of their neighbors — as for the first year or two at any rate they were consumers of the produce resulting from the labors of the first comers. There was now a farther inducement to colonization which did not exist two years ago,— the large mining pogulation on the West Coast affording a readily available outlet for produce On these considerations he should support the resolution. Mr Wopds said he was surprised at the absence of the members for the town on that occasion. Some of them who were members of the Executive might feel » delicacy about taking m

active part in the, proceeedings, but could not bo ©leaded as an excuse by the others. One of the four members for the town he did not see one present. With regard to the most desirable class of immigrants, he agreed with previous speakers, that agricultural laborers and small capitalists i were the best. Now that the iand laws had been amended, there was every likelihood of G-overn-m^nt resuming public works which would afford a good opening to new comers. With regard to emigration from home, we ought to. be able to show some strong inducement to counterbalance a natural unwillingness to sever social ties. That we could offer such inducements, he agreed with Mr. Beaven in thinking in spite of the foul reports which through different mediums had gone home. Much as he respected the press in other respects he could not avoid mentioning the petty jealousies evinced. Now an English, Irish, or Scotchman thinking to better himself by emigration, naturally began to collect information by talking to such of his friends who might have relatives or acquaintances in the colonies, asking how they were getting on, and so forth, and to such persons a letter or a newspaper, although it might be a twelvemonths old, would be looked upon as of value for the purpose, having to get information as best the could in default of better sources. If such a thing happened as their getting a newspaper from each of the six different Provinces, how much would they be astonished and confused at the ill-natured manner in wliich the neighbors described each other. Even our mud which was sometimes a little too deep would be described as still deeper and every other disadvantage accidental or natural would be made the most of. This province had suffered too from the sending of letters by some residents here which he could only characterise as disgusting. He quite agreed with Mr. Beaven that a pampldet truly descriptive of the soil and climate &c, of the province would contribute to influence intending emigrants with the best results. They might also send home an agent provided with accurate copies of the land regulations, maps, plans of districts &c, descriptive of the country showing as far as could be done on paper the nature of the province. A previous speaker had mentioned the labors of Dr. Laing in Sydney; in his (Mr. Wood's) opinion —although he was sorry that some were disposed to differ with him there— he had done more than any other man to promte the best interests of the colony he had adopted as his home. He had been some nine times to the home country and although much abused by some sections of the cpmmunity in New South Wales wliich he bore quite easily he (Mr. Wood) considered him to have been a public benefactor. In this he only shared the fate of many other performers of good works and although he firmly believed the day would come that he would die, (a laugh.) he had not finished the sentence, although he was pleased to afford some amusement — and that in Sydney in some beautiful spot a monument would yet be erected to commemorate his virtues and the benefits he had confe-red. With regard to the inducements they could offer beyond those naturally existing, he might state that the result of the land sales which would take place during the next two or three months would be to cause the Government to resume public works, while with increased facilities for transit, the West Coast would be an available outlet for surplus produce. Beyond this so superior was our climate for the production of barley, for which the neighboring colonies were not so well adapted, that he believed if every available acre in Southland were used for that cereal, a market might be found for it. He should support the resolution. Mr. Irvine said while they were on the subject of immigration he might state that in the summer of 1861°2 when he was in Invercargill a gentleman had written to him from the home country asking what facilities the Government were prepared to offer for the reception of some sixty or seventy families, small farmers, desirous to emigrate; if he remembered rightly, from the counties of Armagh or Tyrone in Ireland. He had spoken then on "the subject to Mr. Chalmers or Mr." Pearson, at all events to some members of the then G-overnment. The reply he received was, that emigrants of that class were not wanted, ali that required was a few farm servants for the squatters up-country. Having afterwards received another letter he (Mr. Irvine) wrote to Mr. Dick, now Superintendent, but then, Provincial Secretary of Otago, asking what encouragement Otago was prepared to otter for those immigrants. He received a reply, he was sorry he had mislaid the letter itself, to the effect that if the male portion of the number desirous to emigrate would leave their famihes and go over to G-lasgow, they might perhaps get assisted passages. This showed the value then attached to that class of immigaants. The fact was the same idea prevailed in Otago, that farm servants only were required. By the deceived axioms of political economy labor was represented as the grand element in the progress of a new country. By a natural law, Squatters, or the owners of cattle and sheep were the first to occupy, then property succeeded by agriculturists, and lastly a mining community. The latter interest could not be fully developed before others, although such had been the case in this colony where mining had been, so to speak developed in a hot-bed. The expenses of diggers in this colony were for in excess of what they were in Victoria, and the development of mining was consequently retarded. This would not be the case agricultural settlement were mare advanced. He was surprised ta abserve the absence of same of the leading men of the place who might have been expected to attend as they, from tne foct of having invested largely in land must naturally be interested in the subject for the discussion of which the meeting had been convened. How were they to obtain a rental for their land, or realise a profit by its sale, if only pastoral interests were to be regarded. The town itself was largely interested in the extension of agricidture, as upon it depended an increase of trade. They would perhaps excbse his trespass of their time in the remarks he had made ; his object had been to show the importance attaching to the subject in the years 1861-2. It will serve to show them the necessity for returning members to their local legislature who were versed in the principles of political economy. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Me. Daley-IPLE then proposed the following resolution. " That a depatation be appointed to convey the foregoing resolution to the Government and otheiwise communicate with them on the questions referred to here." Mr. Wood seconded. He contended that the Government would be shortly in a position to recommence public works as by the new Land Act 25 per cent of the amount of sales would be available. He believed that a pamphlet of tha kind suggested would be of great service. A subscription might be got up to reward anyone who would write a truthful essay of which as copy might be sent home and printed there for circulation. Mr. Beaven suggested the appointment of a committee to carry out the object of the meeting would be prefhrable to the appointment of a deputation. The Chateman remarked, upon the necessity | of guarding against the rrors of the system of i immigration which had bn in force in some other colonies. Mr. Lumsden remarked the meeting was more for the purpose of eliciting public opinion on the subject which would probably come before the Provincial Council at its next sitting. It was not intended to dictate to the Government, but to scertain if possible what would be the best scheme. It was well known that the system which had prevailed in Victoria and Tasmania of free passages had worked badly, inasmuch as the immigrants after arrival went away to other placee. This objection might be obviated by the adoption of the plan of assisted immigration. A settler here would then pay one half the passage money for a friend or relative in the home country who would be thereupon entitled to a passage. By these means a class of immigrants would be secured who would be attached to their new home by the presence of their friends . already settled and not he dispoeed to re-emigrate. He thought the.

terms of the resolution left.it open for the deputation to discuss the best manner of dealing with the subject and was sufficient for the purpose. Some further remarks having been m«de in explanation by the speakers it was decided by Mr. Beaven to withdraw his amendment and put it to the meeting as a substantive motion as follows. "That a committee be appointed to take such steps as may be deemed necessary to promote mmigration." ' ißoth resolutions were carried unanimously. :The following gentlemen were then named to form the deputation— Messrs Dalyrymple, Woods, Lumsden, and Beaven. For the committee Messrs. Kingsland, Woods, Perkins, Dalrymple, aud Lumsden, with power to add to their number. i After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting broke up. It was throughout of a most attentive and orderly kind.