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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Rare Volume

XII. p. 15

XII. p. 15.

XII. Determined opposition of colonists to Governor Grey's new provincial councils bill of 1851, which now awaits the confirmation of the Home Government.

Note At Wellington, 15th November, 1850, one of the largest public meetings ever held in the colony, attended by between five and six hundred adult males, unanimously resolved to reject the measure, pledging themselves "to resist its introduction by every constitutional means."—Parl. Papers, August, 1851, p. 139. In February, 1851, at a similar meeting at the same place, the colo- page 29 nists adopted suggestions of a form of government fundamentally different from Governor Greys.—Ibid, p. 161. At Nelson, after two months' discussion at district meetings, two general meetings were held, one of which lasted thirteen hours, when Governor Grey's measure was again rejected by an immense majority.—Ibid., p. 111. At Canterbury, in August, 1851, two very numerous meetings were held, at which the measure was unanimously condemned, as "not giving the colonists any real or efficient management of their own affairs, or control of their own revenue."—" Lyttelton Times;" of August 16th and 23rd, 1851, and "New Zealand Journal" (London), January 3rd, 1852. At Otago, on the 13th May, 1851, resolutions approving of principles the reverse of those of Governor Grey's measure were adopted (see "Otago Witness" of that date). At Auckland, In October, 1850, one of the most numerous meetings ever there held adopted a memorial to the Home Government, condemning the measure, which, however, is not printed among the Parl. Papera