INDIGNATION MEETING AT REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1001, 3 September 1872, Page 2

INDIGNATION MEETING AT REEFTON.

A. meeting took place in Slattery's Hall, on Saturday evening 24th ult., to consider the conduct of the Nelson Government in employing paid persons to canvass for signatures in that district on behalf of an anti-separation petition, and also to repudiate the statement made by Mr Curtis in the House that he possessed fie confidence of the miners in this district. The meeting was chiefly attended by miners. We condense the following particulars from the ' Herald's' report of the proceedings. Mr Richard Keeves, having been voted to the chair, stated the object of the meeting, and said he was confident that the separation petition was signed by an overwhelming majority of miners, and only a few of the business people signed.

Mr Metcalf proposed the following resolution :—" That the miners of the Inangahua district deny the statements made by the Superintendent of Nelson in reference to the petition forwarded to the Gtaneral Assembly in May last, viz., 'That such petition emanated solely from publicans and storekeepers, and that the Nelson Provincial Government enjoyed the confidence of the inhabitants of the South West Goldfields.' " Speaking upon the resolution he said it would be for this meeting to say whether Mr Curtis and his government enjoy their confidence. It would be libellous to say i hat they did, as the feeling evinced at this meeting clearly demonstrated the reverse.

Mr Carreraa would simply dispose of Mr Curtis's statement iu the House that lie enjoyed the confidence of the miners as a plain lio. lie, as a miner knew well what it was to be under the benign influence of the Nelson (Govern ment. The miners are reported by the Superintendent to have come forward in the Grey Valley, Charleston, Westporr, and lieef'ton districts, and passed votes of confidence iu the administration of the Nelson Govern ment. No matter what position a man held, when he came forward to address his constituents he was always thanked for it, and the vote of confidence reported by Mr Curtis to have been passed on him was no more than a vote of thanks.

Mr Franklyn said he was present at a meeting hold at Ryan's hotbl in March last, and could bear testimony to a vote of confidence having been passed in the Superintendent and his Executive, Mr Crampton moving the resolution. If auy one doubted the statement let him refer to the files of the paper and he would find it in black and white. No doubt many present attended the meeting he alluded to, but, of course, since that period many new comers had arrived in the district, and were perhaps auacquainted with the facts. Mr William Fox said lie was also at that meeting in March and heard Mr Curtis promise a good mauy things, with honey on his tongue. He would ask the meeting did he come it like a man and perform his promises. The Nelson Government was not worth spitting upon. Let the Karamea clown to Martin's Bay be united, and there will be no fear but that the Goldfieids will prosper. Mr Nevin could testify that the vote of confidence spoken of was proposed by Mr Crampton, but that gentleman stated that he proposed it solely with a view of seeing if Mr Curtis would keep his promise, but if he failed to carry out the numerous pledges made at that meeting, he (Mr Crampton) would be the first man to move a vote of want of confidence in the Superintendent of Nelson. Unfortunately Mr Crampton was now absent from this district, but if present he believed that he would do it.

Mr Donovan said Mr IVanklyn had mado a mistake, if all the promises made by the Superintendent to the inhabitants of this district, formed a step ladder, we could reach heaven without any difficulty. He would most distinctly and most emphatically deny that a vote of confidence was passed on the Superintendent of Nelson, as he was present at that meeting, and took good care to speak his mind. The Superintendent's petition was well got up in his usual honeyiiiouth manner. The Nelson Government has been systematically robbing them of their revenue. Upon the occasion of Mr Dobson's last visit to this district, he plainly informed them that the Government did not intend to spend a single sixpence in this district till after Christinas. Mr Connelly spoke as to the disgraceful neglect of public works. He strongly endorsed Mr Harrison's statement that Mr Curtis's Government was an unmitigated failure. The chairman then put the motion, which was carried unauimously, with three cheers.

Mr Iyess stated that the mean, disgraceful, and contemptible course resorted to by the 2\ T elson Government in employing paid persons to canvass for signatures in the district with a view to stifle public opinion, should call forth the loudest condemnation from the miners present that evening. Would the inhabitants stand by and see themselves thus robbed ? More than that, the very services of the police were being brought into requisition to aid the Government in their nefarious strategy. Inspector Shallcrass, of Nelson, had had the itnpudenee to telegraph to the police here to make inquiries for .Mr Crampton to assist in the mission now taken up by Messrs Franklyn and Courtney. But ho felt certain that Mr Crampton. though he may have his faults, would not condescend to accept the position now occupied by Mr Franklyn. He characterised the mission of Messrs Franklyn and Courtney as gross insult to the district. Money which should virtually be devoted towards the construction of the much needed tracks on our different lines of reefs was being squandered on the persons of Messrs Anslovv, Franklyn, Courtney, and others. He would flatly contradict Mr Franklyn's statement that Mr Curtis received a vote of confidence in this district. Re would admit such a vote was proposed and seconded, but the Superintendent, with knavery and cunningness, declined to accept it, and wished the motion not to be put, knowing full well that it would not be carried. During Mr Curtis's visit to Eoefton, he particularly requested him to visit the reefs, and see for himse'f the wretched miserable tracks the poor miners had to carry their provisions over, which he declined on the plea that he had no knowledge of reefs, and no giod could result from such a visit. How different the character and action of the Premier and Mr Curtis ! Mr Fox manfully preferred walking over the Saddle track, and to personally endure what the miners had to go through, and while in the district, he took occasion to visit nearly every line of reef, and expressed candidly that we had just cause for our disg'ust with Nelson Government, and our representation of the character of that body was not exaggerated. Good and pure motives were now actuating him to endeavour to extricate this district from the

grasping and selfish hands of tho Nelson Government. There was no chance of the goldfields ever progrea. ing under this rule, aa it was quite clear the class of representatives who were returned for the settled districts of Nelson were totally ignorant of requirements of a mining community, and the sooner they were allowed to attend to their market gardening pursuits the better for the whole of the South-west Goldfields. He moved the resolution:—"That this meeting strongly condemns the course adopted by the Nelson Government, in employing paid persons to canvass for signatures, with a view of stifling public opinion in this district."

Mr William Fox seconded the resolutian,

Mr Frank Courtney, who was received with groans and hisses, intermingled with cheers and applause, after order was restored, read the petition entrusted to his care for signature. lie stated that the object of his petition was to keep these goldfields to a province entirely free from debt. He had been personally accused of being paid, and this he now beizged to publicly deny. He preferred to be tied to Nelson, than to be attached to an impoverished county like Westland. If the Government carried their measure for the unification of the West Coast Goldfields, Nelson would lose a good population, and a large revenue, which would be taken to Westland, and the people here would get nothing. Mr Pitt said the miners were being humbugged, and if not in a position tomorrow to telegraph, their friends Courtney and Franklyn would settle them. They might depend the Superintendent would flight hard to keep their revenue of £150,000. If they had no revenue the Superintendent would let them quietly go. If this place was undesirable they would not see the Superintendent and his Executive fighting against them. Mr Franklyu said he did not come to Eeefton like Mr Courtney from philantrophic motives, as he had not the means. He was not ashamed to acknowledge that he got paid for his work. He had undertaken the work chiefly as a Westport man, having resided in that town six years, and had a thorough detestation of the people of Greymouth and Hokitika. He did not say that the administration of Nelson was perfect, but if we cannot do away with Provincial legislation, the South-West Goldfields would be far better under Curtis, who was a gentleman and thoroughly respected throughout the colony. The resolution was carried, with but two dissentients—-Messrs Franklyn and Courtney alone holding up their hands against it.

Mr Niveu proposed "Thit, while grateful for the benefits that have resulted from the visits of the lion, the Premier and Mr Reeves, minister of the middle Island, this meeting desires especially to thank the Government for the Bill they are tbmt to introduce for the unification of the districts of ths West Coast."

Mr Donovan speaking 0:1 tho resolution said, Mr Curtis had stated in the Hie House of Representatives, before 78 gentlemen, that the discontent entirely originated from storekeepers and publicans, but in these days society was so polished when people lie, you must say prevaricate, lie would say that Mr Curtis has not told the truth, The members of the Nelson Government were like Ishmaelites of the wilderness—men without occupation, reputatiou, or standing. If men wished to continue plodding in the mire and to endure the hardship of being compelled to walk over rough tracks, let them sign the Nelson petition. Their memorial only wished to leave it an open question with the Q-eneral Government to do the best they could for them.

The Chairman then put the motion, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to tho Chairman terminated the proceedings, and the audience dispersed after giving three cheers for Mr Reeves.