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The Public Meeting re Patetere.

A large and influectially attended meeting convened by Mr F. C; Dean, Town Clerk, in consequence of a requisition to the Borough Council, was held at | the Academy of Music at 7.30 last evening. There were about 4CO present, and on the motion of Dr. Kilgour, Mr James McGowan was unanimously elected to the post of Chairman. : The Chairman introducei the business of the meeting by reading the requisition to the Borough Council and the notice convening it, after which he explained how Mr Dean came to sign the advertis* ment. During this explanation, he was interrupted by Mr Mcllhone who thought that the convener should introduce the business and said that at least two members of the Borough Council were not aware of the requisition as they bad not been consulted. After some further bandying of words, the speaker called on Dr. Kilgour to move the resolution. _ ' Dr Kilgour, who was received with applause, was at the outset interrupted by Mr Mellhone, on the point he had previously raised. The matter was finally let drop, and the speaker, after referring to the intrioacy of the question they had met to discuss, confessed his inability to go step by step through the transaction. Ha, however, gave a very fair history of Fatetere and the negociationsforits purchase, which are already well known to our readers. Mr Sheeban's now famous telegrams to the Grey Cabinet concerning the block were quoted in full, likewise the reply of the Cabinet. In conclusion he moved that a respectful address be 1 to His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon immediately on arrival praying .him to retain the proclamation over the Patetere lands.

Messi'S Wood and Mellhone seconded the motion simultaneously, when it was carried amidst loud applause. Mr McCallough moved, " That Messrs Wood, Mcllhone and Dt Eilgour be • committee to draw up the address." Mr Mellhone moved that the Chairman of the meeting ocmmunicate with the Gorernor.

There was a little misunderstanding •■

to the wording of the above motion, many t (including Mr Speight) thinking the word j "Government" had been nsed instead of "Governor."

Mr Speight rose to oppose the motion. The communication should be Bent to the Governor, not to the Government. (Mr Moßhone here explained that he used the word Governor.) He would suggest if the Chairman could make it convenient that he should present it personally to His Excellency. The speaker felt very indisposed to speak on this matter from such a platform, but when they saw a design to make a meeting tumble into uselessness, it was the duty of every man to speak out. The speaker then addressed himself to the Patetere Block, pointing out the very fact of the lands being under proclamation rendered them to all intents and purposes Crown lands. (A voice: That's the point.) JSo action should be . taken, whereby the rights of the colony should be jeopardised. The Patetere lands bad been coveted for years ami now the cry of economy was raised for the purpose of leading people astray; l;here was no economy in withdrawing from the purchase. If it would pay a public company to acquire and dispose of in England, It would also pay the Government to keep on behalf of the colonists. He might say that there was in existence a vote of £1,000,0C0 for the purchase of native lands in the North Island, but the fact; of the matter was the Government did not wish to expend it, but keep it, and have a! balance on the right side of the ledger with which to raise an election cry. He exonerated the Government ,from being personally interested in the block, but said there were others who were the intimate friends of the party in power who were interested. In conclusion, he said it appeared that some persons thought that the meeting was antagonistic to Mr John Sheehan, as had they a bone to pick with Mr Sheehan, they would have an opportunity when he addressed his constituents. He might say however, that a bad impression was left by Mr Sheehan's telegram in the Star, for there was something wrong when men undertook to defend themselves before they are charged. Mr Wood moved—" That Mr MeCollough, Dr Kilgour, and t!ie Chairman draw up a memorial and present it to the Governor in person."—Seconded by Mr C. Hart.

Mr Hutehinson moved as tin amendment —" That the resolution carried at this meeting be embodied in an address, and our senior member, Sir George Grey, be respectfully requested to present it to His Excellency the Governor, as scon as convenient after his arrival."—Seconded by Mr C. Hart. This was slightly altered by adding that a committee be appointed to draw up the memorial which Sir G. Grey was to present. . . Mr Mollhone thought Mr Shcehen should be associated with Sir G. Grey in presenting the memorial. The amendment was carried.

On the motion of Mr Speight the committee nominated by Mr Wood was appainted to draw up the memorial. Mr Wood proposed, that, a vote of thanks be given the Press, and especially to the Thames Evening Star, tor the manner in which the Patetere question had been treated in its columns.— Seconded by Mr White and carried. A vote of thanks to the Chd? tencioatcd the proceedings,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18801116.2.9

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3711, 16 November 1880, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
888

The Public Meeting re Patetere. Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3711, 16 November 1880, Page 2

The Public Meeting re Patetere. Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3711, 16 November 1880, Page 2

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