INDIGNATION MEETING AT ROTORUA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2786, 22 May 1890, Page 2

INDIGNATION MEETING AT ROTORUA.

A highly enthusiastic and influential public meeting was held at the Hall on the 17th inst. Mr Robert King being voted to the chair. Mr Jas. Taylor (the convener of tho meeting) spoke at some length. He stated that for some time past Mr William Seddon had endeavoured to breed dissension in the place, and that the mis-statements he was in the habit of circulating through the press were calculated to do Rotorua an injury. As regards "Sodom and Gomorrah" he (Taylor) had acquired the lease of the sections at pnblic auction, after 45 days' notice had been given. It was open at tho time to Mr Seddon to have acquired the lease of these sulphur deposits, and because he had failed to do so he now appears to be aggrieved that tourists were not debarred from taking occasional specimens, and these were now more easily obtainable owing to the ground having been broken. The sulphur industry had been of benefit to the place, inasmuch as five men were employed and £70 to £80 per month circulated. Owing to the backloading goods were now brought here at a cheaper rate. The revenue, through the Railway Department, had also derived some benefit from the local industry. Mr Seddon for a long time has exhibited the most bitter animosity towards Dr. Ginders ; this unkindly feeling dates from the time Mr Seddon had the contract for the supply of rations to the sanatorium, when some disagreement took place. Mr Seddon's statement with regard to the doctor's income was utterly without foundation. Also the assertion that the residence of the medical officer was furnished by the Government was equally devoid of truth. In conclusion Mr Taylor gave it as his opinion that it was of little consequence whacMr Seddon inserted in the local paper as he was only too wellknown to the residents, but when he sent his misstatementx to other journals, even as far as Dunedin, it was high time for the inhabitants of Rotorua to express their opinion as to his conduct. The following resolutions were put to the meeting and carried :—Proposed by J. H. Taylor, and seconded by A. P. Warbrick, " That the people of Rotorua very much regret that there is a person living in their midst whose sole object seems to be to make mischief and who, they are sorry to say, writes and gets others to write untruthful reports to the newspapers, therefore the inhabitants of Rotorua, almost without exception, request the editors of newspapers generally not to insert any letters from Mr William Suddon till they have ascertained if the same are true or not." Proposed by Mr H. N. Chetland and seconded by Mr 11. McDonald, " That the inhabitants of Rotorua have ovsiy confidence in JJr. Ginders, and heartily wish that he was in receipt of the income mentioned by Mr William Seddon. An amendment propwssd by N. W. Neighbour and seconded by Mr H. L. McFadney, " That everyone retain his own private opinion was lost. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair-