Address to Sir George Grey.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2157, 2 December 1875, Page 2

Address to Sir George Grey.

A meeting was held at the Pacific Hfl^el Iyesterday evening in consequence oJF^he following advertisement:— (•■.-•( At the request of a number of gentlemen desirous of presenting an address to Sir George 3-rey. after his arrival here, a meeting will, be held of persons favourable to that object in the Pacific Hotel, this evening, at 7.30.—8y order, Jame3 Kilgoitb} Chairman."

On the motion of Mr Wilkinson, seconded by Mr Cowell, Dr Kilgour was called to the chair. . •

! The Chairman in opening the meeting j said he had better begin from the beginingj and would read to them the minutes of a meeting of a number of gentlemen held already on that day. He then read the following :—

"At a meeting held at Mr Graham's offices, December Ist,, 1875. Present: Messrs Graham, Bent, Wilson, Wilkinson, Dr Kilgour, Messrs Brodie and McCullough. Dr Kilgour was called to the chair. Moved by Mr Wilkinson, seconded by Mr Wilson, ' That this meeting form itself into a committee, for the purpose of preparing an address to Sir Geo. Grey from the people of "'the Thames.' Carried unanimously." •' The object of the present meeting continued the chairman was not to discuss politics, but there were many who were anxious to do honour to Sir George Grey who did not altogether agree with him in politics. He himself did not agree with him in these matters, but yet would yield to no man in admiration for his courage, honesty and determination. He hoped therefore the people would assist him in doing honor to Sir George Grey for his services not only to the district, but also to the colony at large. He then read the following :—, "To his Honor Sir George Grey, Knight, Commander of the most honourable Order of the Bath, Superintendent of the Province of Auckland. '

"On the occasion of this your first visit since the close of the session of the General Assembly. the people of the Thames feel impelled lo show their sincere admiration for your efforts in the interests not only of this community, but of the province generally. They also consider that they would be wanting in loyalty and in appreciation of that ability and disinterestedness which all concede to you, were they not to take advantage of this opportunity to give public expression to the same. They have ever recognized in yourself one foremost in maintaining their rights and asserting their privileges-;' one who regardless of fear or frowns, has exposed abuses and endeavoured to redress wrongs. Looking, therefore, at the present juncture of political affairs, it behoves all true lovers of their country to give their representatives every moral support. We noted with interest the bold attitude assumed by yourself in the General Assembly in furtherance of our rights, and have much pleasure in.welcoming you to the Thames."

This was the address, It was (he said) for the meeting to consider that address, and to say further how, when, and where the address should be presented. He might me.ntion that it had been proposed by some that Tararu Gardens on a Saturday afternoon would afford a suitable place and time for all to be present, but he would leave it to the meeting to consider these matters.

Mr Cowell thought that the word " favor" should be substituted for the word " frowns '' in the address. Few there were, who, in political movements, did not stand in need of the favor of the powers which be, and, therefore, he thought that " favor " was more appropriate. Mr Wilkinson thought it was'nt.

Mr Speight said to facilitate matters, he would move the adoption of the address.

Mr McCullough' seconded the motion. Mr McGowan said that ere the motion was passed he should like to say a few words about the hasty manner in which the address had been got up. Tbe Thames people generally were quite ready to praise Sir George Grey, but the address was more in reference to his political actions than his endeavors on behalf of the district. As there were great numbers who did not agree with Sir George this address would put them in a false position ; it would be better to give an address dealing more particularly with his actions which had reference to the Thames. The address praised his general acts, but with these there were numbers who did not agree. He would move as an amendment that a public meeting be called, which might go thoroughly into the matter, and prevent it being stigmatised as " a hole and corner meeting." Mr Speight asked Mr McGowan to point out the particular clauses he complained of. v Mr McGowan said he did not object so much to a particular clause as to the tenor of the address. . ■ ■

Mr Wilkinson said the tenor of the address was intended- to point in the way Mr Mc&owan wished it, viz., to thank Sir G-eorge for district services, and not for his political acts. There was no time to hold a public meeting as Mr McGowan wished,, as Sir George would be there next day. If they wished to amend the address, by all means let them amend it. He might say there was another address which, perhaps, the meeting might like to have read. The Chairman then read the following:—

"To His Honor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c, &c, &c.

" Sir,—We,, inhabitants and electors of the district of Thames, being desirous of testifying to your Honor our esteem and respect for your character* and person, take this opportunity to offer to your Honor a hearty welcome to the Thames, after your arduous and fatiguing duties during the last session of the Colonial Parliament, and especially your efforts on behalf of the interest of this district; and we sincerely trust that in the prospect of a continued public career in .New Zealand, you may enjoy the measure of health and strength requisite for efficiently fulfilling the duties thereof. Mr Speight said that in his opinion the .first address did not contain a single thing objectionable in it, or wfyiph would commit the district to any retrograde ment whatever.' There was no objection to thank him for his general conduct, that J general conduct was a position of thorough" independence and honest determination to expose abuses, and this Sir George Grey had done.

Mr Cowell said as several gentleflieh bad come in since the address Tras read perhaps it would be as well to read it again. ' The address was then read again. Mr Eowe asked for the second address to be read again. The second address was read aigainv Mr McCorrifich saw no objection to the first address. The only point of difference they had with Sir George Grey was the question of Abolition, and that Sir George had left to the people. It was then pointed out that Mfr McGowan's amendment was not seconded. Mr Wickham seconded MrMcGowaffs amendment. The chairman said that if the address was to be presented the next day, there was no time to haye 5 a public meeting. Mr Rowe said that an address if presented ought to be one which all the people could agree with. All would agree that Sir George had nobly done his duty in many ways, but they could not all agree with his general: political views. He himself was one of those, and he believed a large majority of the people agreed with him. He had no objection to the last address being presented, but he i objected to the first. The second addresi I might have been couched in better language, but he agreed with the ideas expressed in it, and he hoped that if either address were presented it would be the second. : Mr Otto supported Mr McGowan's v amendment. If the address was to be, presented on Saturday, there .would^je [ plenty of time to hold a public meeting Mr R. Graham' said the proper time to present the address would be on Sir George Grey's landing. Perhaps Sir George would address a public meeting on Saturday afteraoon all the same. He saw no harm in the first. address; there, was something in it, but nothing in the second. Mr Wilkinson said he the meeting was a public meeting duly called by advertisement. . Mr Rowe said ifc was not, and pointed out that the advertisement only called those "favorable to the project" to attend. \ Mr McGowan. then withdrew hi* amendment, and Mr Speight's motion that the first address, be presented wai carried. \ The next points were, who was to present the address, and when and where'it was to be presented.! Mr McGowan proposed that the gentleman who drew it up should present it. Mr Wickham thought the Mayor should be requested to sign it. Mr McCullogh proposed that the address be suitably engrossed and presented at the toll-house by the Chairman on behalf of the meeting. \ „'''■,.. i Mr Skeen proposed the Nwhole meeting attend as a deputation. Mr Graham thought Mr Howe's verandah would be a good place for Sir George Grey to speak from, and be looked at. ' This led to a further discussion as to whether Sir George Grey should be asked to address a public meeting. During a lull in the discussion Mr McCullough's motion was put and carried, after which it was moved by Mr Graham with additions by the chairman that Sir George Grey be requested^ to address a public meeting at the '■Katre Royal or some other suitable place. Mr Hollis suggested that the Mayor and Council be asked to attend the presentation of the address as he had never seen a public address got up in the way the present had been, without the Mayor and Councillors being present. Mr Wilkinson seconded the motion. .

Mr Brodie thought the Highway Boards should be asked lo attend as well, as they were of more importance than the Borough Council, and moved that they and the public bodies be included in the presenting body. It was here asked who or what the public bodies were.

Mr Wickham thought the stockbrokers a public body. Mr Skeen was in favor of the public being included under that title.

Mr Leydon thought a triumphal arch should be erected. • :

Mr Rowe thought that it was a dishonest action to tell Sir George Grey that the address was from a public meetting when it was not.

Mr Speight said it was

After a further desultory conversation it was agreed that the chairman present the address to Sir Grey on the shore «nd of the wharf and that, members of the Highway Boards, and Borough and Pro* vincial Councils be asked to go with him. A -vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. ■■'•''