THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Issue 153, 5 January 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1867.

We regret exceedingly that a pressure of local matter and the publication of the Schedules of the Stamp Act compel us to withold publishing a report of the debate in the Provincial Council on the Westland estimates. We will, however, produce tlie report in our next issue, as apart from the importance of the subject, it is highly desirable that our readers should make themselves acquainted with the .sentiments of the various parties in the Council towards the West Coast. The debate was opeueel by Major Hornbrook who adopt, hi" the tone of the old school of Canterbury politicians, opposed the expenditure contemplated by the Government on the ground that the population was not permanent. Mr Bright followed and exposed the ignorance betrayed by the previous speaker and others regarding Westland affairs and the district. He opposed the idea of Separation, and expressed confidence in the intentions of the Government. Mr Thomson' twitted the Government with not having brought forward any decisive policy and expressed his opinion that the amount put down as expectod to be derived from the sale of land would never be realised. Mr Beswick in reply said that the Government awaited the results of the Commission on Westland affairs before framing a policy for the future government of the district. Mr Barff supported the proposal for a Commission, and said that the West Coast j^eople were quite willing to pay their fair liabilities, and it would be part of the duty of the Commission to settle this matter. Mr Whall defended the course taken by himself and colleagues with regard to voting on general and provincial questions, as he claimed to have a right to hold a provincial and not a merely local position in the HouseMr Wynn Williams -spoke hi favour of dividiug the Province, aud Westland taking its aflairs into its own handsMr Hall followed suit ; he began by an elaborate defence of the Ministry of which he had been a member, and wound up by expressing the opinion that it would be better for Westland to separate from the Province. Mr J, C. Williams, Mr Duncan and Mr Hawkos opposed the idea of Separation. Tlie last named gentleman recommended that " all the land in Westland should be thrownopen to public sale." Mr Cassihs whilst thinking that the accounts of Hast aud West Canterbury should be kept separately considered that there was no necccssity for Separation. Mr. Stewart replied and stated that the Government fully intended to carry out itsj>romises to Westland, and felt sure that the debt 'between the- two districts would be satisfactorily adjusted, Se.pava.biou he

thought might become a necessity, but' Jic hoped that time was far distantThe following are the heads of the esti\ mates which formed the subject of clis> cussion : — RECEIPTS. Three-eighths of Customs Duty £56, 000 0 0 Gold export duty ... ; ... 55,000 0 0 Revenue from miners' rights, . . ? - licenses, fees, and fines ... 30,000. 0 0 Publicans' licenses ... ... 4000 0 0 Boatmen's licenses ... .., 150 0 0 Auctioneers' licenses ... 400 0 0 Hospital fees ... ... 500 0 0 Telegraph fees ... ...• 2500 0 0 Dog collars ... . -. ... .250 0 0 Incidental receipts ... 175 0 0 £148,975 0 0 Estimated amount to be received from proceeds of laud : sales „. ... ... 30,000 0 0 ! ', £178,975 0 0 EXPENDITURE, Commissioner's Department:.. £1400 0 0 Treasurer's Department ... 500 0 0 Waste Lauds Board ... 500 0 0 Surveys ... ... 13,924 10 0 Engineer's Department ... 3462 10 0 Meteorological Department ... 50 0 0 A dministvation of Justice ... 30,800 2 0 Hospital and Charitable Aid .. 10,917 0 0 Harbors ... .., 3595 10 0 Telegraph Department ;,. 3250 0 0 Public Buildings ... ... 15,270 10 Q Public Works 49,505 0 0 Miscellaneous ... „. 55G3 0 0 £135,7G2 2 0 Balance overdrawn at Bank on West Coast Account, on • June 30, ISOG (to be ad- , justed) ■■'„. ...£105,295 5 7 Since the arrival of the mail wo have telegraphic news to the eii'ect that the estimates have been got through, and that the sum of LIOOO lias been voted for the expense of the Westland Commission.