PUBLIC MEETING.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 262, 24 April 1860, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

Last? evening..a.meeting took place at the Odd Fellows' Hall, in. consequence of the contents of an •'Extra," published by the Taranaki Herald, on Saturday last, which will be found in another column The meeting was very numerously attended. In consequenceot rho pressure of news weare only able to give the essential points of the proceedings. Mr. L. Nash being called to the chair, in an able and energetic speech, put the subject fairly before the meeting, pointing out the necessity for caution in accepting the vague and inconsistent accounts as facts ; at the same time there could be but one opinion of the urgency of pursuing the war with the utmost rigour, until the rebellion was effectually and entirely subdued, and it was for the purpose of strongly recommending this line of conduct that he believed the meeting had been called. The Taranaki paper before referred to was then read. ■ After some remarks from Messrs. Lewthwaitf, Rankijj, and others, Dr MoNßosaid it would be well not to refer to any particular source from which this sudden alteration was supposed to emanate, coming as it did in no tangible shape. No doubt tbe missionary influence had been powerful, and possibly the point of view between them''would be different; but if thatinjßnenee were exerted to bring about a peace at the present juncture, it might well be characterised as a public calamity [hear hear]. He would propose the following resolution : " That this meeting entirely approves of the decision with which the Government has acted in confronting a native rebellion at Taranaki, and trusts that it will make no. pence, excepting on tho terms of the unconditional submission of the rebels, on which basis alone this meeting believes that any peace must be founded if it is to be lasting. Seconded by Mr. Hume, and cavried unanimously. After some remaiks from Mr. W. L. Wrev, to the effect that the reso ution did not embody the sense of the placards which called the meeting together. Mi. Lewthwaite proposed—That th'i3 meeting hears with tho most extreme regret that the Bishop of New Zealand is now very inopportunely interfering wMi the Governor to bring about a premature and humiliating peace, and lias expressed himself to the effect, that Win. Kingi is right in hig pretensions. This meeting therefore, pending accurate information on the subject, recommends to his Lordship the propriety of abstaining from any act calculated to imp.icate him in any such proceedings. This resolution was ultimately withdrawn. - Mr. Richmond in an earnest and temperate spsech spoke of the tendency at public meetings to exceed the line of conduct which was wisest and the most calculated to attain the end sought for, by introducing uncertain points and at once receiving them as facts; it was possible that the missionaries had represented the settlers to the maori's as firebrands, .who were only anxious to deprive them of every acre of land, but he thought a calm, temperate expression of opinion from that meeting would have some practically beneficial effect. Mr. C. Elliott was proud to see so many persons present. He gladly endorsed Dr. Monro's resolution, and would be sorry to proceed upon such uncertain grounds, Although no particular admirer of the Bishop of New Zealand, he felt sure he was a right true Englishman, and would never counsel such a dishonorable step. As a natural sequence to the first resolution he would propose the following : " That while desirous of living on friendly terms with the Maories, and lejoicing in every instance of their progress in civilisation and material comfort, this meeting considers that it is no less due to them than to the British colonist, that proceedings on the part of any of them, subversive of all natural justice and moral law, and leading as at Taranaki, to bloodshed andtflestriiction.of property, should be promptly and decidedly punished by the Govern •ment."

Seconded by Mr. Bbaithytaite, and carried unanimously*.

Mr." Lrwthwaite proposed "That copies of the above resolution be forwarded to the Governor.

Seconded by Mr. Wekb, and carried. . , * The meeting, after a vote of thanks to the chair man, then-separated. '