MEETING ON MR KYNNERSLEY'S REPORT.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 231, 28 April 1868, Page 2

MEETING ON MR KYNNERSLEY'S REPORT.

Last evening, a meeting' convened by MiTyler was lield at the Apollo Music Hall, as the advertisement stated, " to consider the report of Mr Kynnersley on the occurrences of the past month in this district." The hall was crowded, and the greatest interest was manifested in the proceedings. Nearly all the chief people of the town were present, including a large gathering of the officials of Westport. Mr H. Wright was unanimously voted to the chair, and introduced the business of the meeting in an appropriate address. Mr Tyler then came forward and said that it was witli the utmost regret that he appeared that evening in the capacity he did, in what in fact must be considered as a hostile attitude towards Mr Kynnersley, who he had for some time looked upon as a friend. He would explain his reasons for so doing. They had, no doubt, read the report published a few days ago in the Westpoet Times, sent in by Mr Kynnersley to the Provincial Executive. In it he was not openly but covertly alluded to, and as what was there stated was not true he considered it right to set himself right, not only with the public here but with the public throughout the colony, (hear, hear) ; and he had therefore taken the liberty of convening that meeting. He, of course, expected to find the report of an important character, but he little expected to find it what it was —partial, untrue, and prejudiced in the highest degree. (Applause). So far it was merely asseveration on his part, but he would proceed to show what a garbled, prejudiced, and untruthful report it was. He referred to the report, and remarked that Mr Kynnersley commenced by reference to the proceedings on St. Patrick's Day. He (the speaker) had no intention of wouundingthe feelings of any section of the community, he would simply deal with the report and with that alone. In so examining it, he would not attack any class settled in our midst. In the report preference to the 17th of March, part of the facts are true, but in order that the Government might come to just conclusions, many facts that shoidd have been told were suppressed. It was a matter of common report, that in the cemetery a man who stood over the grave of his child, dead only a fortnight, was abused, piished out of the way, and addressed with the oaths and curses of the crowd. Surely that fact should have been placed in the report, (cries of question, name.) He would name the person, and his name was Melville. He would give the names in everything he stated in order to give every opportunity of contradiction. Another case of actual assault took place at the same time outside the fence on the same man whilst Mr Clune was speaking; Melville was assaulted and both his eyes blackened, and he was only rescued with great difficulty by tho police from worse treatment, bnfc this was not mentioned, as should have been, if this was a true and faithful report. At this time tho polico were present and heard the speeches, which in this very report wore admitted to be seditious, but they, ho doubt under Mr Kynnersley's orders, had taken no steps to arrest any partics. Ho contended that these and every

other particular item should havo been stated in order to allow the Government to arrive at just conclusions. The formation of the Volunteer Rifle Corps was certainly referred to, but the public meeting called for the purpose of requesting him to proclaim a day of thanksgiving for tho escape of tho Duke of Edinburgh from assassination was not touched on, as though he wished to lead Government to believe that ho proclaimed the holiday without being asked to do so by the public. In speaking of tho 2nd of April proceedings, Mr Kynnersley made an unjustifiable attack on the speaker and another. In justification of himself he took this first opportunity of explaining matters in which he had been grossly misrepresented. He read au extract from his speech in denunciation of Fenianism. What he said then he said now, and would say as long as he had a tongue capable of uttering, but he did expect that Mr Kynnersley's legal experience would have led him to draw more logical conclusions from such premises. In tho report it stated that ho (the speaker) said because the attempted assassination had been the work of Fenian organisation, " therefore every man who had worn green on St. Patrick's Day was a sympathiser with O'Farrell and an assassin at heart. He wished to draw special attention to this, and to say before the meeting in order that it might go forth to the public, that that statement was absolutely false, and that it was within the knowledge of Mr Kynnersley that he (Mr Tyler) said nothing of the kind. Though he had explained that he said nothing of the kind before tho report was written, though he had explained his reasons, and in the face of the strongest expostulation he (Mr Kynnersley) sends before the world these monstrous misstatements, which induced him to call the meeting to justify himself. He had a perfect remembrance of his sentiments on that occasion, though not exactly of the words he used. He was asked to move the address, but he absolutely refused, as, knowing what his feelings were, he thought he might give offence; but when called on he felt bound to say something, and he denonnced Fenians and Fenianism. in as strong language as he was capable of. Bui in so doing hn did not denounce Irishmen; he did not, and never would, for he had too much respect for them. Many of the wnrmest friends he had on the Coast were Irishmen, and he knew many men in the procession on St. Patrick's Day who were no more Fenians than he was. He believed that four-fifths of the Irish were as loyal as the English or Scotch. Only a faction rising out of America were enemies to the British rule. He might state that he fully admitted the wrongs of Ireland, and he would go any length for their legal and constitutional redress. Let them take the field even in a manly way and his sympathies would be with them; but if they took no other way to obtain redress than by such acts as the murder of Brett, the blowing up Clerkenwell Gaol, they would have little hope of success. Now with regard to the procession that was attacked. He believed that it was proceeding iu a quiet and orderly manner when it was attacked, and that the attack was preconcerted- Mr Kynnersley however, makes out that it was a faction fight, occasioned thronghmaking use of offensive evpressions but it might be noted that in the report, he does not state what those expressions were. The very expressions alleged are contradictory of their being used. It was said to be an Orange procession, and for argument sake, presume it was. Orangemen are nearly invariably Irish, and is it to be believed that they would be singing to the tune of the " Red, White, and Blue" such words as «• Ireland is conquered for ever ;" was it reasonable to suppose that an Irishman would sing such a song as that, and can any report that states it be a fair report ? (No, no.) The report next states that two or three persons arrived in a very excited state from Addison's, and there was not great wonder at their excitement, inasmuch as the first man had a deep cut on the head, his coat was covered with blood, ample evidence under any circumstances, that a serious breach of the peace had been committed. Others came in subsequently in the same state, but he glosses over this and makes no mention of any wounds or cuts wherever they originated. He was afraid if he went through the whole report he might keep them two hours. All had, no doubt read the report, and could know that a number of things had happened that had not even been mentioned. For instance there was no notice taken of Bella Newton's house being broken into, her windows smashed, and her grog drank. The object of the report should have been to place the Government in full possession of the whole facts of the case, so as to be able to judge of their future action, but could they form any opinion from this report. (No, no.) If it did not do this it ought, and if it did not how could Mr Kynnersley explain why there was an entire suppression of some facts and an exaggeration of those in his favor. If this portion was looked at they could understand the whole report. There was one striking point. Although he alluded to the deputation in reference to the retention of the armed constabulary waiting on him, and casually says that he used some rather harsh language, at the same time why did he not state that he was most insulting to them, and how did he come to omit all mention of tho public meeting hold the same evening, when three hearty groans were given for him. Certainly tho Government should have been placed in poasession of that fact. He would add a few words in reference to another circumstance. Mr Kynnersley says that informations were only sworn against two men, that the case was not proved against one, and the other was sentenced to twenty-one days imprisonment. Did anyone believe that the whole proceedings were anything else than a solemn farce, (Hear, hear.) In other places it was found that the Government employed counsel to prosecute in cases like the present. The case was altogether reversed here for not only they did not employ counsel to prosecute, but the Crown Prosecutor was found defending the men accused of creating riot and disturbance. (Laughter.) This was a remarkable state of things, to say the least of it. It was clearly never intended to punish any man for anything he had done in connection with the matter ; the whole affair was a mere cloak, and it was not intended that the persons offending should meet with their deserts. (Hear, hear.) Mr Kynnersley gave as his reason for not taking further steps

that the law had been vindicated, whereas he admitted that two persons had been guilty of seditious Bpeech.es, and yet the police had taken no notice of them—no doubt under instructions. Mr Kynnersloy's excuse was that he was afraid to elevate these men from their normal state of obscurity, but on that something might be said. (Hoar, hear.) The first of these obscure men was a doctor of medicine, a professional man> who surely was not so very obscure. The other was a well to do store-keeper, commanding considerable ihfluencee in his locality, and the seditious speeches made by them had the effect of exciting those whom they addressed, and actually induce them ultimately to assault Melville under the very noses of tho police, who did nothing to punish the offenders. It was not a faction fight, but even if it had been an Orange procession, a breach of the peace had been Committed—men had been wounded, and yet no one was brought to justice at tho instigation of the police. Tho law was not vindicated because the perpetrators had not been brought to justice. Was the fact of Bella Newton's house being broken into with impunity likely to instil any feeling of confidence in the preservation of life or property by the authorities. (Cries of no, no). There were a variety of reports afloat of which no notice had been taken, as to persons being compelled to leave the district, papers being burnt without being paid for, and other things. Probably these were exaggerated in some degree, but were founded on fact and had something original to go upon. He might point out one thing—that there was a feeling of disaffection clearly shown and an antipathy on the pait of one section of the community to the other. All things being as stated, it was for those present to see whether the report as it is, should remain before the Government and the world, without contradiction. Were the public here to be vilified in this manner, without taking any steps whatever. (Cries of no, no.) If he stood alone lie would try the issue, but he had no doubt he would be fully supported. He therefore proposed—

" That this meetingbeingf ully apprised of the occurrences of the last month in this district, and having rend the report of Mr Kynnersley thereon, is of opinion that the said report is garbbled, prejudiced, and hurtful, calculated to mislead the Government of New Zealand, and to convey an erroneous impression of the feelings and doings of the loyal inhabitants of the said district, during the late disturbances."

Mr Morison seconded the resolution in an energetic speech. He remarked that in a case like the present they required the whole truth stated, for under the circumstances half the truth was an actual lie. The question was whether Mr Kynnersley was to be Westport, or the public to be considered Westport —were we Mr Kynnersley's slaves or was he our servant. (Hear, hear.) The motion was then put and carried with one dissentient voice.

Mr Spencer moved the next resolution. He said that it was with great sorrow that he had seen his fellow-countrymen and coreligionists taking part in the late seditious practices, and in reference to the speeches delivered in March last, expressed his opinion that they would, twenty years ago in the old country, have brought the speakers to a felon's doom. He knew one case in connection with the late affair, where a respectable man had drawn out a statement and verified it with his signature, containing information for the use of the police, which would not be received. With regard to the conduct of the press in the matter, he pointed out that the tone adopted by the West Coast press was re-echoed in Christchurch and Otago, and would be in other places when the papers reached them. The press said they were right and Mr Kynnersley was wrong. If this is proved, they had done their duty in speaking as they had. If Mr Kynnersley was right, they would accept the verdict with becoming humiliation. To ascertain this, however, it was necessary that an investigation should take place. He therefore moved—

" That inasmuch as numerous breaches of the peace and other violations of the lawhave been committed during the last month, without any attempt being made by the authorities to bring the offenders to justice, and inasmuch as a large proportion of this community have been insidted and vilified by Mr Kynnersley for no other offence than openly expressing their loyalty to Her Majesty's throne and person, it is absolutely essential, to insure the future peace and prosperity of this district, that a searching investigation be instituted for the purpose of securing a true and faithful report of the occurrences of the past month, and Mr Kynnersley's conduct in relation thereto." Mr Munro came forward and said that till the report appeared he was in hopes that the matter was being settled, but this had thrown everything out again. So far from thinking Mr Kynnersley inconsistent, he thought he had been consistent throughout. In support of this view he read the conclusion of the report. Ho proceeded to defend and explain his speech on the 2nd April. He did not then say that all who wore green were assassins—what he said was, that those who wore green and draped themselves in black, belonged to the same organisation from which some members plotted the assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh. One thing he would draw attention to, Mr Kynnersley, on the 17th March, was conspicuous by his absence, and on being spoken to on the subject, said that he got better sport at the Greymouth races than he woidd have here. Had he been here and heard the speeches delivered on the 17th March, he could have better understood the speeches of the 2nd April, and would have been able to more truthfully put the Government in possession of facts that then took place. He denounced the conduct of the authorities in suffering such language as was used then to go unpunished, and also in permitting such a breach of the peace as that of the 3rd of April without punishment. Mr Munro then reviewed the conduct of Mr Kynnersley in a most forcible manner, showing that, however well this temporising policy might suit him, he subordinated the majesty of the law to suit his own ends, by such a course. As a literary effort he thought the report very creditable, but as an official report, he considered it disgraceful and untruthful. (Laughter.) Mr Kynnersley had stated that if ho (the speaker) went to Addison's Flat, he would very likely be insulted or assaulted, and if he was, and he sought

redress at his hands, he would most likely dismiss the case. He moved—

" That the following gentlemen, viz. t Messrs Reid, Spencer, Munson, Sutton, Tyler, and the Mover, be appointed a Committee to prepare a petition to the House of Representatives, praying it to appoint a Select Committee to investigate the occurrences of the past month, and Mr Kynnersley's conduct in relation thereto, and report thereon." The reason for sending to the House of Representatives was that it would be useless to send any protest to the Provincial authorities, as they accepted what Mr Kynnersley said as gospel. Mr Harrison said, in seconding the resolution that the previous speaker had expressed his fear that their action would be a failure, but he, the speaker, did not have any such fear, for the people should and would have the matter in their own hands. He had not come there with any intention of taking part in the meeting, but with very great pleasure, he h artily seconded that resolution. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Mr Hildreth moved the next resolution, but our space will not allow us to give his accompanying remarks—"That the said petition, when prepared, and signed by such persons as may be inclined to do so, shall be forwarded by the Committee for presentation, to audi Member of the I louse of Representatives as they may select, enclosing for the use of such Member, Mr Kynnersley's report, and comments thereon." Mr Gellibrand seconded the resolution which was carried as the preceding, by acclamation.

This concluded the business, and after a rote of thanks to the chairman, which was heartily given, and the meeting then separated.