PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.
In accordance with an advertisement which appeared in the Waitkato times, a public meeting of the inhabitants of Cambridgo find the surrounding districts was held on Saturday last, at Hewitt's Hotel, to take into consideration " whether Hamilton is the Waikato, or, is it only a portion of the Piako Swamp." Mr McVoag-h occupied the Chair, and Mr J V Thompson was elected to act as secretary to the mooting-. The Chairman opened the proceedings by reading the advortisemont convening the modifier, and cillod on JMr Cirnachan to move the first resolution. Mr Divid (Xirnac's.iti moved, "Tint in tho opiuiou of this moetiacf, H.unilto'i ia only ono of eig'ifc or nino towna'iip-s in tlio WAikato. Therefore, not cnp.ible of giving exj!iu>siou to tho opiuions of the Waikulo fiulMorx, as " stiLed by the 'Bast"i 'of the 20lh msfc." A gontleitua su^o^ed that it would bo advisable to strike out tho word " Biibtor," and substitute " Waikato Times," there being no such journal ia existence. Mr Carnachan agroed to this, and the Secretary m ulr> tiie desired altor.ition. Mr Cjnningham rose to second the motion, on condition that the word "tho,'' bufare " W.iikato," wa'J struck out, the sottleuio'it not hoinpf ii tho water. Mr Ciiiflii askod tho Ch.urm>in if he ivojiM ravi tho extrr.ub from the Waikato Time*, which had rendered it advisable to call the mooting. (Hear, he\r.) Tho Ohairuian toad tho following extract from tho Times of Tuo->d.iy last : " Tiie Town IUII, East Hamilton, was filled last night, despite tho short notico given, to discuss tho political crisis at Wellington, nnd to give expression to tho viows of Waikato settlers on tho subject." (A. voice, Are not then tho people of Hamilton Wa'kalo sottiers ?) The resolution was thon put to the meeting and carrioJ, without opposition, a good number of por a ons present neither voting one-way or the other. A gentleman hero Warned to know what good tho resolution was. Everybody knew that Hamilton wns'nt Waikato ? Mr Cunningham — Stand .up and express yourself properly, if you have got anything to say. Thero was then a pause of about ten minute^, during which tho audience ondeiiv'oureiF ft> amuso themselves in various ways. Qrie gentleman (a Govern-, meut supporter, I* am sorry to say) so far forgot (?) himself as to turn his back to the meeting, put his feet on the grate hobs, and keep his hat on, notwithstanding* soveral remonstrances. > Another suggested that they should Uavo a gamo of ' euchre' a suggestion ■^hich mot with tho cordial approval of Another of tho oompauy, while ono said \he thought th.it they had beon suffloioutly jeuchered already. Mr Bright then came forward and movod the following 1 resolution :—": — " That thi3 meeting regrets that ftny invidious remarks, calculated to produco 111-feelinc,' tl*Kvt.an tlio ilifTVirpnh f.Rf*-lfiiif>n + in \Vn_
"'xo'.etdiing- tlio Waikato Thus of any itKCilicm of prodn Jng thib feeling, respectfully requests that it may be avoided in the fin lire." He said there was a strong feeling in the Wailrato that other placed wero being sunk for the benefit of Hamilton, but could not represent them. The other settlements were all centres of agricultural districts, while Hamilton was merely, a township. Certainly it had the advantage of having the Waik\to Times there, and all the solicitors, (groans,) bufc it ha I no other advantage. He would exonerate the Times from all intent to produce this. Everything had been made to emanate from Hamilton, bat other places hud shown an equal desire to push on the district. Wherever there was Government influence, its effects was very demoralising. (A Voice : A pity we we hadn't a little more demoralisation here.) This might bo, in a great measure, the cause of II imiltou'a conduct ; they thought they were of more importance than any one el .c. Now, there had been a great cry about a bridge at Hamilton, the Goverumwit had bean badgered and bothered about it for a long time; but they ((ha Government) were wise in not aoceding to this. Govornmont could see that Hamilton was able to provide it themselves. Why should they bo taxed to put up a bridge at Hamilton when tbey could do it thtuibalvea, but there v, r as no unionbetweoa tlio e.xo!» tmd we it sided of the river. During the last election he hud said to Mr Cjx, — who would boar him out if he wero [ir<3oi3ut — that if this difference could be overcome, and a corporation formed, with tho reserves vested in it, they could not only build the bridge, but they could keep all the roads in repair for many years to come without the aid of rates. Again the bridge would be a fine investment for a private company, but there was no public spirit to do it, and yet they thought they were the Waikato. For the future, it would be well, if this waß put a stop to, for the sake of the feelings of the settlers. He was not tied to one place, but belonged to all alike, bufc he thought it would be better that when speaking of Hamilton, to speak of it as Hamilton, and to do tho sanie with all the other places. * Mr Parr — "What has Hamilton been saying that you should do this ? What has Hamileon done to you ? or what hava have we to do with them ? I think Mr Bright has gone too far in offering advice to Hamilton, it is quite able to look after its own interests. 1 can't see what ifc has been doing to you. Tho Chairman again read the extract from the Times of Tuesday last. Mr Bright said he had baen misunderstood, Hamilton had shown that it wanted to be the whole of tho Waikato. They Bbould mind their own business. Mr Camp in seconding the motion wished that Bomo one else had besn found to do this duty. He believed that tha meeting had been called, partly becama of several sub-leaders, which had appeared of late in the Times, in which it wassiid that Hamilton wanted a bridge more than the other places, they were jealous because Cambridge and Ngaruawahia had bridges, and thiew dirty water at them on this account. He then entered into a long tirade against the Times and its reporters for the manner in which tho meeting, held some few days ago, had been reported, he had been misrepresented, words had been pui into his mouth which he had never said. The juvenile voices did not predominate in the cheers, nor did ninetenths of the bona fid* settlers vote on the Government side. He had the names of twelve bona-fide land owners who voted against them. (Mr Forrest, Names names ) He was not prepared to give their names now, but any time after that day. The meeting was not well reported. There was some confusion here and a ong and desultory discussion ensued tvhich was of no public interest whatever. Mr 13 right's motion was then put to ihe meeting a§d carried in the same manler aa the first. Mr Cunningham proposed a voto of shanks to the Chairman, which was ;econded by Mr Oarnachan, and the meeting closed.
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Waikato Times, Issue 640, 27 June 1876, Page 2
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1,198PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE. Waikato Times, Issue 640, 27 June 1876, Page 2
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