WEST COAST ELECTION.

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

WEST COAST ELECTION.

MR PROSSER'S MEETING.

On Monday last, a meeting was convened by Mr E. Prosser, one of tho gentlemen nominated to represent the West Coast Goldfield in tho Provincial Council, for the purpose of enunciating lus political opinions.

Mr O'Loughlin, being voted to the ■chair, opened the meeting by stating; the .reason of its convocation. He had much pleasure in presiding on tho occa.sion. for he believed ho was the first who had brought Mr Prosser forward, who, if listened to with attention, would doubtless satisfy tho audience of his fitness to represent them. Mr Prosser, who on coming forward ivas received most favorably, said he really must apologise for having so long postponed this meeting. He intended •calling it before his nomination, but the •doubt existing touching the qualification necessary to ensure his being even nominated, had once caused him to determine upon retiring .from the contest altogether. After-consideration had, however, induced him to change this determination, and he was now more inclined than ever to imagine the Provincial Solicitor was mistaken in his opinion on the subject. He was not influenced by personal vanity in seeking legislative honors, for had a really good man presented himself he should certainly have given place to hini. But as there seemed a scarcity of candidates, ho, having the interests of the district at heart, offered himself as one of its representatives,and was there that day to expound Ms views •and answer any questions that might be put to him relative to the matters before them. Mr Prosser then entered into an exposition of the policy he intended to adopt should he take his seat in the Provincial Council, and alluded to those requirements he considered of the greatest importance to the welfare of the West O>ast. He advocated a commission of enquiry be appointed to report upon the entrance to the river, and that immediate steps be taken to render the port accessible to shipping. He was evidently in favor of tho port being thrown open for the unrestricted importation of cattle, and that proper crossing places on the boundaries of the province be laid down, whereby cattle could be driven overland to the Hokitika market from Otago and Southland. The harbor department he considered to be in a very inefficient state ; it should be remodeled, and surf boats and a Manby's apparatus provided for cases of emergency. The formation of roads and bridges was of vital importance, and main tracks should be cut tlnough the bush to facilitate prospecting. The present state of the West Coast roads was a disgrace to the province, and many valuable lives had been lost through the absence of bridges and punts at those rivers that were the most dangerous to cross, and which might have been rendered safe at a comparatively trifling cost. The manner in which town lands should be disposed of was a matter in which all felt more or less interested. Ho believed the present occupants .should have the option of buying at the upset price, and considered the Government had no right to charge one penny extra. He thought rural lands should be leased under the proviso that should they be discovered to bo auriferous the state retains the power to reclaim them, allowing a fair valuation for improvements, and that mining within a reasonable distance of the town should be permitted without the necessity of depositing any feo in the hands of the Government. The Post Office was next alluded to, Mr Prosser being of opinion it should be rendered independent of Christohurch, and be a main instead of a branch office. The necessity of Mining Boards to frame laws for the better guidance of the miners was so apparent that the subject needed but little comment from him. A properly qualified person should also be appointed to preside over them. Mr Prosser also believed in the examination of Wardens before they were invested with such onerous responsibility as devolved upon them here. Ho was in favour of the formation of gold mining companies to take up and work abandoned and wet ground, for which at present there was not the slightest provision made. The hospital was a sore subject ; it had been much neglected. His opinions on this were well known. But besides building a suitable edifice at Hokitika, and the appointment of an efficient staff, he considered another- should be erected at the Grey and equally provided for. He believed in town improvements, but decidedly objected to lavish expenditure of public monoy on works of no real utility. The wharf required extending and Gibson's quay making up. Government should grant liberal subsidies for this purpose. An it^pector of nuisances should bo appoii Ned at once, six months being too long W wait; and as this was a matter affecting the sanitary state of the town immediate action was necessary. Mr. Prosßcr advocated the formation of electoral rolls, and increased representation for the West Coast ; two members to represent fifteen thousand people being a complete farce, and not to be endured. The question of separation had received his deepest consideration; precipitate action was to bo avoided as we were prepared for so decided a step just

yet ; but should the Government refuse to comply with our just demands, he should go in for it at once. The overland road to Christchnrch, and the escort he condemned as absurdities ; but believed in local escorts to fetch the gold from country districts into Hokitika. The export duty on gold should bo reduced, the miners being too heavily taxed, and a revision of tho tariff was necessary, as a most unjust inequality existed in tho duty on different articles. Mr Prosser in concluding trusted that the electors would give him trcir entire support, and send him in at the head of tho poll, for th 3 more numerous his supporters the greater weight would ho carry, as being chosen from the great body of the people, and not from any particular section. He should strive to do his best, and make the advancement of their interests his chiefest study. A number of questions being put to the speaker by Mr Shepherd and other gentlemen, and most satisfactorily answered by him, the question that Mr Prosser was a fit and proper person to represent them was put to the meeting by Mr Walker, seconded by Major Bracken, and carried unanimously. Mr Prosser returned thanks for tho favorable reception he had met with that day. He was not a vevy able speaker, and this was tho first time ho had appeared in so public a manner ; he, however, trusted he should improve by practice! If he was returned he should enter the house as an independent member, uninfluenced by party bias.

A vote of thanks to the chair ended the proceedings of one of the most respectable, influential, and orderly meetings that ever assembled in Hokitika.