RIVERTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1174, 11 June 1869, Page 2

RIVERTON.

(FROM A COBBESPON-DEITT.) A meeting of the inhabitants and electors was held at the Court House, on Saturday evening, June sth, to meet the representative of tbe district in the General Assembly, D. Hankinson, Esq. The Hon Mr Nurse occupied the chair. Mr Hankinson said that the present session would be the most important that had been held for many years, as the questions to be dealt with would in a great measure determine the future Government of the colony. He reviewed at considerable length the native policy of the various Ministries whilst in office, and contended that Mr Weld's policy of self-reliance would have been successful had he been adequately supported. He believed that the Central Government should have the entire management of all ports, harbors, lighthouses, gaols, and also police. The present local system only drove vagrants from province to province, till they arrived at the most favoured and convenient localities to commit depredations, instead of following them up and securing them, which would be done by a central system. He then spoke of County Councils and Eoad Boards to have the entire management of the hind revenue raised within their districts as a pet scheme of the present Government. Mr Daniels asked if he was in favor of the Stafford Government, and of the sentiments of Messrs Hall and Richmond. Mr Hankinson believed that the sentiments put forward were exaggerated by the press. The papers were not to be depended upon, neither were the telegrama. No sensible man should believe them. He believed that with one thousand well trained bushmen, the rebellion could be put down. Eev. Mr M'Gillivray then rose and begged leave to ask him a question or two. Would he vote in favor of the separation of the two islands ? Answer — No. Rev Mr M'Gillivray— Would he uphold the present provincial system ? Answer — No. Rev. Mi M'Gillivray — Would he support re-union with Otago ? Answer — No. Rev. M'Gillivray — In the event of Southland collapsing, would he vote for its being thrown icto the hands of the General Government, in preference to our being re-united to Otago ? Mr Hankinson— You'll never get it ; I can't answer you ? Mr Daniels then alluded to the escape of the prisoners from Chatham Island, and asked some questions about Mr M'Lean and Colonel N'Donnell. Mr Hankinson — Mr M'Lean might be an honest man, but he was only an agent. Colonel Whitmore had defeated Te K oti and the rebels at Ngatapa, and utterly dispersed them. He wanted to strike a blow at Tito Kowaru, he wanted Ropata and his men, but Mr ML'Lean did not think it wise to let them go ; under martial law this was mutiny ; he should have advised by telegraph ; it was only an act of discipline to remove Mr M'Lean from a place of trust. Mr M'Gillivray —Is the Stafford Ministry in your opinion a competent one. Mr Hankinson said— Mr Stafford and his colleagues were very able men ; he did not think their equals were to be found, at least not in the Assembly ; there might be in the country, but they were very few. Mr M'Gillivray thought otherwise ; he had resided in several British colonies, but this was the most incompetently governed of any of them. Mr M'Donald now moved a resolution to the following effect, viz :— " That this meeting is of opinion that the present policy of the General Government does not tend to advance the prosperity of this part of the colony ; that re-uuion with the proviuce of Otago, in order to form a strong and workable local Government — under whose cognisance local and important matters may be brought, and effectually and properly managed — is desirable ; and that it cannot give support to a member who will not endeavor to advance a workable form of government, adapted for local requirements." It was seconded by Mr Wm. Taylor. Mr Nurse read the resolutiqp, and declared he would not put it, as he should thereby implicate himself, and immediately vacated the chair. Mr M'Gillivray was then proposed, seconded, and accepted the position as chairman. After some appropriate observations by Mr M'Donald and others, the resolution was put and carried by a large majority. After a vote of thanks to Mr Hankinson for his attendance, and to the chair* man, the meeting broke up.