MR. BARFF'S MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 68, 9 November 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

MR. BARFF'S MEETING.

A meetiug of electors was held at the Union Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, to hear Mr. Barff 's political exposition, and to judge of his merits as a fit person to represent them in the Canterbury council. Mr. Wolf presided, and introduced Mr. Barff as a working man and one of themselves, and consequently the most likely to understan their requirements, and advocate their cause in the house. He was there to explain himself, and doubtless would bo able to do so satisfactorily.

Mr. Barff, on rising, was received in a most demonstrative manner, and as soon as silence was restored, proceeded to give an epitome of his views on the numerous requirements of the West Coast. He said, he had indeed como forward as ono of themselves, for he had been mining for nine months on the Wairaea, and therefore was the better able to judge how their many wants could be supplied. Still he did not profess to exclusively belong to nny one particular party, but should endeavour to advocate the cause of both mining and business men should he be returned. Tho greatest mismanagement had hitherto existed in the GovernmentoftheWestCoast.thetracks and roads of which were in a horrible state, and had been most shamefully neglected. He should certainly strive to impress upon the Government the necessity which existed of at once remedying such a disgraceful state of things, by bridging tho principal rivers and opening up the interior by the formation of tracks; and that the monoy now being wasted on the overland track could be much better applied in effecting these improvements. Mr Barff advocated the improvement of the harbour, so that vessels could more easily enter our river, but not being an engineer he did not profess to understand the matter. He should, however, move for a commission of enquiry to report upon the matter. The Government should also provide life and surf boats, he thought tho former would be more useful than tho latter. The free importation of cattle should at once be permitted, the present closefisted Chrißtchurch policy being anything but conducive to their interests. Meat must be obtainable at a cheaper rate than is now paid for it, for instances had been brought under his notice of men only partaking of it onco or twice a week, its exorbitant price being totally beyond their means. Tho hospital should at onco beoxtended and a better management appointed. Another also was needed at the Grey, and accommodation houses provided on tho different diggings, containing wards for the reception of those unfortunates suffering through mining accidents, which suffering was aggravated in a tonfold degree by a long and distressing journey to tho hospital. Qualified medical men should bo appointed to preside over them. Ho thoroughly disbelieved in the auction system at tho sale of town lands. The prcsont occupants of town allotments should bo permitted to buy thorn in at tho upset prico and tho capatalist thereby excluded. Ho believed in granting agricultural leases under certain restrictions, and should not agreo on any consideration to permit areas of moro than ono hundred acres to bo granted, and thoso to bo reclaimed by the Government should gold in payablo quantities bo discovered on them. A mining board and a court of mines were much required ; ho should advocate their immediate introduction ; the first to make tho laws and the second to carry them into effect. Such laws wero much needed for tho guidanco of War-

dens, somo singular instances of official incapacity having come under his notice during 1 his residence on the West Coast. Tho present Post Office arrangements wore scandalously insufficient. The staff required increasing and additional facilities for the despatch of mails othcrways than overland. Tho speaker here cited several instances of great neglect which he had become cognisant of, and the loss and inconvenience entailed thereby upon the parties interested. Mr. Barff was in favor of the immediato abrogation of the export duty on gold. That the one miner's right should pass current in all parts of New Zealand, without provincial distinctions in that respect. The revenue returns of tho West Coast should be published, together with the manner in which it was disbursed ; and the chief part of it should bo expended on improving the district where it is raised. In conclusion, Mr. Barff declared it to bo his intention to study to the best of his ability West Coast interests, in the event of his being returned. He thanked the meeting for the honor they had done him, and hoped they would thoroughly support him in tho forthcoming trial. A few questions being put to Mr. Barff, and satisfactorily answered,

Mr Gibson roso and moved that he was a fit and proper person to bo intrusted "with thoir interests. He had known Mr Barff for eleven yeara, and believed him to be just the man for thoir purpose. He however, did not believe that two members would do much iv tho Provincial Council; still half a loaf was better than no bread, and their being there might be the means of increasing the representation.

The motion was seconded by some gentleman in the body of the meeting, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.