WAKEFIELD. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 410, 27 September 1861, Page 2

WAKEFIELD. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]

A rußLic meeting was held at the Forest Inn on Thursday evening the 19th inst., Mr. Griffith in the chair for the purpose of giving an opportunity to those eleetois of. the Waioiea districts who, either from distance or other causes, had been unable to attend the public meeting held at Richmond to hear Mr. Saunders' explanation lespecting the proceedings of the General Assembly ia the past session and of the part he as tiieir representative took in them. The explanations were mostly the same as those given at Richmond.

The meeting was not a large one, partly owing to the weather, and partly (aa some said at the meeting) to the published account of Mr. Sauuders's explanation at Richmond, with which the majority of the electors of Wairaea South are perfectly satisfied.

Mr. Baigent asked Mr. Saunders for some information respecting the Debtor and- Creditor Act.

Mr. Saunders said in explanation that the Stafford Ministry bad brought in a Bankruptcy Bill with three hundred and eighty three clauses !! which would have led to the creation of a great number of salaried, offices and consequently would have added very much to the patronage and to the already euormous taxation with which we are saddled, without receiving any corresponding benefit for the outlay. Mr Brandon, a Wellington member, had brought forward a more simple and less expensive act which Mr. Saunders believed would/meet the requirements of the colony and to which he had cordially given his assent. Among other things, he stated to the meeting that the time taken up by members in Auckland might be easily reduced one half, anrl to effect that object if possible, he had proposed a large reduction in future of the sums at present paid tbem for their attendance, he had proposed to pay them by the session instead of by the day, he failed he says in carrying out hia suggestions, the motion having by various means been postponed until he left Auckland. Mr.. Saunders then gave a slight sketch of the membeis forming the present ministry. Mr. Fox he said was not so sly as his name and euemies would have the public suppose. Mr. Wood he said had promised to curtail the expenditure if possible, and if Jie in conjunction with his colleagues should do cothing more than check the frightful and continual increase of expenditure which has been going on ever since the Stafford Ministry came into power, andjwhich if persisted in much longer would have brought the colony to a hopeless state of Bankruptcy they would deserve the thanks of their fellow colonists. Respecting the war he thought ministers had acted most unwisely, and he believed the appointment of Sir George Grey to the Governorship of this colony will lead to beneficial results both to Europeans and natives.

As the meeting seemed perfectly satisfied with Mr. Saunders's explanations, Mr. Baigent M.P C. proposed the following resolution.

* That this moeiing having heard'tbe explanations of Mr. Saunders of his conduct in the Home of Representatives fully concur with him in the course he pursued, and beg to express their fullest confidence in him as their representative.' The resolution being seconded by Mr. John Curran jun., was carried unanimously. > vote of thauks to the chairman was then passed, and the meeting dissolved.