DEPUTATIONS AT COBDEN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 754, 17 November 1870, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS AT COBDEN.

Yesterday afternoon, his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson received two deputations at the Court House, Cobden, and two memorials were presented. The first, presented by Mr J. Wilkie, was as follows : — " Cobden, November, 1870. "To His Honor the Superintendent, Province of Nelson. "SIR,-rWe, as a deputation from the inhabitants of Cobden and the surrounding districts, beg most respectfully to lay before your Honor the following statements : — ■ "1. That the. vast resources of this district being in a languishing state from want of roads, and that as year after year votes for the purpose of opening up fresh tracks and keeping in repair the present roads, lapse, and our means of internal communication are almost impracticable, we consider that, to place this district on a more equitable footing with other parts of the province which have the advantage of being more in the vicinity of the city of Nelson, it is advisable that that part of the Grey Valley lying between, and including the townsbip of Ccbden and Langd^on's Ferry, a distance of about twelve miles, . be declared under the Country Road Board Act. "j2. That the sum of one hundred pounds

(For continuation of Jkem seeith Fage.)

h&ving been voted by the Provincial Council I for the purpose of establishing a library and institute in the district, the local ( School Committee having taken the matter in hand, have raised a small sum as a nucleus, and have already the names of over subscribers, at the rate of 10s per annum ; and the Committee feel confident that the institution will be the most successful of the kind on the Nelson South-West Gold Fields, your deputation pray that the Bum voted be handed over as soon aa possible to the Committee. "3. It is with great regret that we have to approach a Bubject for which your ceaaure should fall on whoever is to blame in the matter. A sum of money was voted for the purpose of putting the cemetery in something approaching decency, the deputation beg that some small sum be at once devoted to saring the resting places of our dead from desecration. "4. That a vote having been passed in the last session of the Provincial Council to be devoted to clearing the channel of the river from snags, aud the Grey River being now in Buch a state as to to render it dangerous to life and and property to navigate it, the deputation beg that your Honor will be pleased to direct that the obstructions be atjonce removed. "5. That the price now charged for coals at the Brunuer mine is excessive, and is the cause of the coal trade of this port being so limited, and that as we believe the Government have no intention of making a commeroi»l transaction of the concern, and charge a monopolism' price, for the coal, we pray that your Honor will soe the necessity and benefit that will foikfflu/ reduction in the price and a corresponding increase of the trade of the port, as from arrangements that can be made for the tug service of the port the bargo proprietors will be in a position to compete with Newcastle if the Government consent to sell the coal at merely remunerative prices. "6. That a peculiar arrangement now exists in this district with respect to hard labor prisoners. At present they are sent to Westport at a large and unnecessary expense instead of their labor being utilised in the district in which they are committed, and where it is so urgently wanted. "7. The last, but not least, important matter which your deputation would bring before your Honor's notice is the Cobden wharf, or rather the want of it. As your Honor is aware the population residing within that part of the Grey lying between Cobden and Brunnerton inclusive are entirely dependent on the coal trade for their aubeistance, it appears anomalous that the coals should have to be taken to a rival port to be shipped, and at the same time having to pay heavy whai*fage dues on the same. The sum of two thousand pounds having been voted for the purpose of building a wharf, this deputation most earnestly requests that your Honor will direct that at least some, portion of the wharf be commenced forthwith." The second memorial was presented by Mr Boase, and signed by thirty-eight freeholders and householders in Cobden. It protested against the formation of the district into a Road Board, because the district was thinly populated, the most of the inhabitants were in poor circumstances, and "were well satisfied with the existing administration of their local affairs." In reply to both memorials, the Superintendent replied, first, as regards Road Boards, that considerable difficulty existed in bringing the Provincial Ordinance for the formation of Road Boards into force in a district where there were bo few freeholders. The holders of agricultural leases could not be rated, and it was impossible to rate miners' claims ; but if the inhabitants really wished it, the Government would consider the matter with the view of making the measure workable here. With regard to the grant for a library for Cobden, if the residents would furnish all particulars regarding the proposed institution, they would receive some assistance ; but the L2OO voted by the Council was a grant for the whole of the South-West Gold Fields. The fencing in of the cemetery would be at once proceeded with ; but he wished to remark that no previous application on the subject had been made to the Government. With regard to the removal of snags from the river, the Government had, during the current year, expended L9O for this purpose, and the attention of the officials would be directed to the necessity for any further expenditure. As to the suggested reduction in the price of coal, the Government had no wish to make a profit out of the Brunner mine. There were many items of expenditure besides the cost of winning the coal, but if the price could be reduced without causing a deficit, the Government would make a necessary reduction. It was not advisable to retain long-sentence prisoners at Cobden, and nothing could be done in that direction with regard to the wharf. L2OOO were voted by the Council for building a substantial structure ; but application had been made to the General Government to recommend to the Assembly, during next session, a loan to Nelson of L 30,000 for the construction of a railway from the mine to Cobden, and lie considered it inexpedient to proceed with any new works in the meantime ; however, necessary repairs to the present wharf would be attended to. His Honor's attention was then called to the alleged deficiency in weight of the coal supplied at the mine, to which he replied that buyers of coal at the mine could have it reweighed either at Cobden or Greyraouth, on the conditions that if found of full reweight, the cost of reweighing should be borne by the purchaser. He had made full enquiries into this allegation, and was satisfied that more than full weight" was delivered at the mine. Mr Boase coroborated this statement and also spoke in terms of praise of the condition of the track from Cobden to the Arnold junction. The deputations then thanked his Honor and retired.