PUBLIC MEETING AT WETHERSTONES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 25 April 1868, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT WETHERSTONES.

RESIGNATION OF MB. MORTON. A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening, in the Sportsman's Arms Hotel, Wetherstones, to take into consideration why the Government had allowed itself to be dictated to by Mr. St. John Branigan, in the case of Mr. Inspector Morton. The meeting was a large one, and was principally composed of that independent and well-to-do class of the community, namely, gold miners. Mr. J. Young Henry was unanimously voted to the chair, when, after thanking the meeting for honoring Mm wittfthat position, stated in a word the object of the meeting, and said that he had known Mr. Mortdn for a long time back, and that his conduct was always gentlemanly, and that so far as he knew, always did his duty without favor, in a straightforward and praiseworthy manner. He (the Chairman) had known St. John Branigan years before he came to New Zealand. At that time, people looked upon him with anything but respect, and the wonder was that he escaped having violent hands laid on him. Since Mr. Branigan came to New Zealand, the public well know his moral character has been no better than it ought to be. Mr. Johnston then proposed the first resolution, which was as follows — " That this meeting is of opinion that Mr. Inspector Morton has been harshly and unjustly treated, in being necessitated to resign his appointment as Inspector of Police, to satisfy the arbitrary and de» spotic will of the head of that department." This resolution was seconded by Mr. Abrams, and carried. Mr. M'Clusky then rose to propose the second resolution, and in the course of his remarks, said that while the public were in a great degree kept in ignorance by the head of the Police Department of the reason of such strange conduct on his part, it was nevertheless freely circulated by the public that Mr. St. John Branigan had threatened the Government that if Mr. Inspector Morton would not resign, he (Mr. Branigan) would. Now, if this be really the case, the sooner such a state of things should be redressed, the better. The resolution he had to propose was—. "That this meeting is of opinion that Mr. Morton has faithfully ana f tariwsly

discharged his onerous duties, in the maintenance of peace and ordjer in this district, and we do not think the Government justified in accepting his resignation, and depriving the Province of his valuable services ; and we are further of opinion that Mr. Morton should be reinstated." This resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. Johnston said if that meeting failed in accomplishing the object for which it had been called, it would at least teach the Commissioner that he must not attempt to ride rough-shod over his subordinates. A third resolution was carried, to the effect that a memorial be drawn up, embodying the foregoing resolutions,---"'"'*'*"*' The meeting then closjed*^^**^