MR. PROSSER'S MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 136, 24 February 1866, Page 2

MR. PROSSER'S MEETING.

Mr Prossor, ono of tho mombors for tho district in the lato Provincial Council, having by advertisement invited the doctors to moot him last ovoniug, at tho Shakspoaro Hotel, a vory large assemblage gathorod to listen to his explanation of tho aotion of the Provincial Legislature during tho last session with reforonco to tho affairs of Westland. There was a considerable number of influential oitizens preeont, and tho body of tho largo Hall was woll filled. Shortly aftor eight o'clock, J. A. J, Macgregor, Esq., was voted to tho Ohair, andoxplained tho object of the meeting. Mr Proisor, who was received with cheers said — Mr Chairman and Gentlemen, — When I last appeared before you, aftor my being fleeted as ono of the West Coast members, it was considered doubtful whether the election would be recognised aa valid ; and the house, with I think very bad taste, appointed a committee to enquire into the qualifications of your members, which as I anticipated, in the absence of a petition, resulted in 4 our being permitted to retain our se its. I will take a cursory glance at the various subjects I brought under your notice when I last addressed you, in order that you may know in what mannor I havo oarried out my promises, and whethor I actod up to tho viows I expressed on that occasion. Tho first subjoct I shall introduce will bo tho Harbor Wprks and Gibson's Quay. On inquiring into this subjeot, I found that Mr Balfour was about starting to inspect and report upon these works. Mr Hall promised, that if his report was favorable to carrying them out,they should bo prosoouted to such an extont as tho state of tho Exchequer would allow 5 and that the Wharf should bo oxtended in a wostorly direction if Mr Balfour recommendod it. My impression, however, was that it was the intention of Governor.* .t to oxtond tho Wharf in *n easterly direction, past tho Custon House, whioh would have been far less to (he publio convenience. I was content, however, to leave the matter in tho hands of a gentleman so competent as Mr Balfour. The second question I shall refer to is that of Roads. LlB,OOO was voted for making roads to Kaniori, Totara, Greenstone, and Wairnen, which if carried out will prove of immense advantage to the different districts enumerated L3O 000 w«3 placed on this year's Estimates for carrying on tho West Coast road, and the Government proposed to chaige L 15.000 for the same purpose next year, but whioh, I expect in consequence of tho great expense attendant on keeping the road in repair will bo augmented to at least L 25.000, which, as it would be likely to cause a withholding from ' this district of the funds necessary to form bush roads and tracks would prove most detrimental to our best interests. In consequence of this unjustifiable expenditure, I moved that the sum be reduced to L 20.000, whioh was of course thrown out by tho House. I then proposed that tho sum of LlO,OOO should be charged on this year's estimates, and L 20.000 on next year's, so that tho expenditure should be spread over more than one year, whioh, had it been carried, would have allowed us on this side a "greater amount to be at onco laid out in the prosecution of works of vital necessity to the distriot. Tho next item I opposed was L7OOO proposed to be expended on BrowniDg's Pass, which I considered was quite unnecessary, particularly as the report of tho Seleot Cominittoo was so unsatisfactory — so muoh so, indeed, that it loft a doubt as so whether tho road could bo usod', even for three months in tho year, unless tho proposition of ono hon. member — that a number of men should be employed keoping tho road clear of snow, by shovolling it away, was carried out. (Loud laughter.) - Add to this the sum of L5OOO put down on tho East Coast estimates, and wo havo tho sum of L 12,000 spant on a road whioh, according to tho report of the abovo committoo, would bo unavailable nine months out of twolvo (shame ) Since then I havo heard that a numbor of shoep havo boon orossed over this pass, but whether there was much difficulty in so doing I am not awaro. In this instance also my motion was defeated for tho boat of all reasons, that most of the monoy had beon spent. The next item worthy of attention is the sum of £8,000 to be devoted to tho construction of bridgos, bush traoks, and the formation of forrios, whioh if faithfully carried out would bo tho means of saving many valuable lives (cheers.) I would wish whilst referring to this subject to call your attention to an Act passed by the General Assembly last Session, tho prinoiplo of whicli is tho granting protection ' to private individuals who discover enterprise BulKoient to oither throw bridges or ferries noross a river, by allowing thenvto charge certain tolls. This I ontiroly approve of aa likely to be productive of muoh good, provided excessive charges were prohibited. (Cheers). I am amazed at the negligeuce and apathy displayed by the Government in not providing some simple contrivance for Iho safe crossing of rivers, by whioh many lives might bo saved. T believe Biioh contrivances have been adopted in other places ; - such as a wire rope and basket, whereby rivers might be easily crossed, and which would not have entailed a heavy outlay to introduce (Hear hear) The next subject whioh demands attention as pno of personal interest to all present, is the manner in which tho town lands are to bo disposed of. On aßking tho Government how they intonded to dispose of these lands, Mr Hall replied that he considered tho , hotter plan would be to soil thorn by publio auction to tho highest bidder. I then reminded tho honorable gentleman that atthe last session of the G-onorol Assembly he might have introduced a bill for the disposal of these lands, at & fixed upset prico, to tho present oooupanto j but as he had not done so, it would be advisable to appoint a seleot committee, who should dooide on the most equit* able way of disposing ;of them. This committee* was appointed, and in it I proposed that 10s per foot frontage should bo charged, but this being overruled, I thought it advisable to accept the amendment of 20s per foot for sections ono chain dcop, end 80s por foot for those of moro than that depth. It was also proposed by tho committee that in order to secure tho prosont occupiers in their holdings, an exoessive valuation should be Bet upon improvtmonti to 14 to shut out »U ■pwnJttoM. (Okwi,) quu»,lf ft»Mt!»f iinrhltowt

i

are now assembled cost say, £500, it would bo valued at £1000, and no interference would ba

likoly to tuko placo with tho right of tho holder. (Cheers.) Of courio if tho public disapprove of this arrangoment it will bo quito competent, I approliond, for them to wait upon tho Commissioner, or send a deputation to him, asking him to induce tho.Gtovommenfc t) take steps to postpone the land sales until tho noxt session of the General Assembly, when tho raembor for tho district might introduco a Bill, enabling tlio present occupants to obtain their sections at a fair upsefc price. (Loud applause) From t Jwn allotments thes transition to rural lands is an easy one, and certainly the Government found no difficulty in proposing and attempting to appropriate 119,000 acres of tlio most auriferous part of the coast, and which was that tho miners chiefly depended on ; iv proof of which I may uetance the first blook, from tho G-roy to tL» Teremakau, of 10,000 aoros, which lncludon some i of the very best portions of the beach workings. (Mv Prosser horo road tho boundaries as defined of the block, amidst dorisive laughtor.) This area Mr Hall considered a very small portion of the aggregate amount, and genorously loft us the slopes of the ranges on which to carry on mining operations. You are all aware how exceedingly rich this portion of tho coast has been prored. It, therefore, shews how little ho knew about it. Myself and colleague, however, opposed tho alienation of this part of tho coast when the Government Agreed to reservo the portions of it that were actually being mined at the time. If that promis6 could havo been roliod upon, however, it would only have beon binding on tho pvosent exeoutive, and thoir successors would have been at liberty to aot as they pleased ; but as tho roport of Dr. Hunst and other scientific men led to tho conclusion that it would bo difficult to point out any part of tho district not auriforous, I could not sco how they could dispose of any rural land at all with justice to the mining community unloss, a bill wore brought in in the General Assombly, as rocommonded by the West Coast members, providing compensation' for those who purchased the land in the event of its being proved auriferous, and afterwards rushed. Taking advantage- of the tactics of the Opposition, I proposed as an amendment that the size, form, and upstt price of the said blocks of land be submitted to the approval of the next Provincial Council, with the view"bf allowing time for the public of the West Coast to protest, against the sale, and to give the future members for the district the opportunity of opposing it. My amendment was favorably received and carried by a majority of 16 to lO.onwhich Mr Hall withdrew his land scheme. An amusing scheme was submitted privately to tho House, which seemed to receive the favorable consideration of a large number of influential members. It consisted of throwing into the Melbourne muket an amount of auiiferous land, consisting of large blocks of thousands of acres to be sold by publio auction to speculators. (Laugh tei). If it had been possible to have carried out this scheme, I believe it would have been done, as the sole desire of the Counoi seemed to be to obtain as much money as possible out of the district, in order to compensate themselves for tho sums laid out on the West Coast road. In fact, they wanted the money. (Hear.) With regard to the gold-fields' regulations, my colleague being the diggings member, and himself a practical miner, I considered it advisable to ieavo that subject in his hands, and as he promised to be inHokiikaaweek after myself, I expected he would be here to make his explanations on this subject to you. I may, however, state that I consulted him on the subject, when we came to the conolusion that it was better to leave it iv the Lands of a mining board, which we fully expected the miners would apply for, the Superintendent having the power to grant such a request. I may say that I am not in favor of having many mining boards, but I would advocate the establishment of one central board, to which the miners might look for such amendments as hoy might desire. (Cheers) The Hospital seeems to have received a considerable amount of attention during my absence. Whilst in the Council, I asked the Government to throw it into the hands of the publio, and allow it to be entirely managed by them. But the Government, in reply, stated they could not think of doiug so unless very strong rtasons wero advanced in favor of such a proceeding on thoir part. I, however, must say gentlemen, that I consider the number of petitions already advanced by the Westland publio contained every imaginable reason 'in favor of such a course, which if not at once adopted, will be, I believe, by and by, as tlio present system of management must in tho long run lead to an appeal to public charity, 'the sum placed on tho estimates being likely to prove quito insufficient for tho purpose it is intended for. I, howover, did not press tho question, as I thought wo should be hotter able to manage it if it came into our hands finished, and in thorough working order. I consider it my duty to give the Superintendent credit for having taken an interest in tho Hospital affairs, for as early as tho 14th August '65, ho addressod a letter to Mr Sale desiring him to make such provision for the sick that no grounds of complaint could possibly arise. Yet notwithstanding this, no steps were taken, even to extend tho old Hospital, until tho middle of November when a deputation wailed upon the Commiisionerand supplied him with funds for so doing. (Hear.) Knowing how difficult "it iB to obtain medical assistance in tho bush, I proposed that a sum should be placed on tho estimates under tho head of charitable aid, for the purpose of providing, such aid for cases of emergency in the outlying districts. (Oheors.) It appeared that philanthropy was not strong enough to dispense with fees paid in cash beforehand. "(Laughter.) Tho sum voted will provide for tho nocossary fees in cases of medical attendance on unfortunate sufferers. I next come to the subject of tho escort. (Hear, hear.) Government were very loath to part with that expensive toy, although in perusing the correspondence between them and the banks, I found they wero not in the slightest degree justified in going to such an enormous expense for the purpose, as the banks from the first distinotly refused to send their gold unless the Government guaranteed a safe delivery in Christohurch. As the Government refused to accede to such terms, it seemed to him absurd that the scheme should have been attempted to carried out. The escort, howevor, was .established, and you know the result. During the debate on the escort the Govern■monfc proposed charging us with tho expense of organising it, and pressod that the sum of £10,000 should be voted conditionally until the House decidod whether the escort should be abolished or not.. But on tho principle that it was unjust we should pay one farthing for that which. was established purely for the benefit of tho JEaat Coaat, I objootod, and moved as an amendment that the sum should be struok out. That amendment, however, vraß lost by a majority of 19 to 3— the ■minority consisting of my colleague, Mr. Hawkes, -and myself. I may mention that the proposed sum set down on the estimates for publio works and buildings would not be expended unless the state of the provincial exchequer permitted it, the Government having determined to keep tho oxponditurA within the revenue, now that they have satisfied themselves for tho prosont with a lavish expenditure on useless works, for such we may consider the Wost Coast road to bo, so far as it will benefit the people of Westland. (Cheers.) On hearing of Mr. Hall's most unjustifiable stoppage of publio works in Westland, I askod him whether bo had stopped the oxpendifctfro upon the West Coast road, to which ho replied thai those

carried out. (Laughter.) I think ho was anything but justified in adopting such an extreme i course, for according to his own statement in tho House whon advocating tho reserves for sale, a very small portion of thorn only could bo got ready for tho market before tho ond of tho • financial year, so that their sale, if it had been decided on, could not have vory seriously effected this year's revenue. lam sorry at being compelled to so long detain you, but tho Biibject "is an important one, and it # is necessary you should know on what footing you stand with theChristchuvch Q-ovornmont. Tho Euilway and Harbour Works Amendment Bill, which was brought in by tho Secretary for Public Works, contained a provision for the exolusion of the territorial rovehuo of the West Coast from tho operation of the Enilwav and Harbour Works Ordinance of 1864, winch provides that two-fifths of this revenue shall be set aside for railway and harbour works. This clause in the Amendment Bjll, however, was not permitted to pass, but was expunged by the House, so that wo should bo obliged to contributo an v equal share with the East Coast for the construction of works which would benefit them only. No doubt all of you aro satisfied that enough moneyhas been spent on tho West Coast road (hear, hear), but Tarn sorry to say that Mr Hawkes, who otherwise has dono tho West Coast good service, brought forward a Bill advocating the continuation of tho work. (Mr Prossor horo read extracts from the Bill, which provided not only for a continuation of that work, but also for tho construction of a tramway, to be undertaken by private enterprise, tho Government guaranteeing to pay interest on any sum not exceeding £45,000 which might be applied for the purpose). Continuing his address, Mr Prosser said : Gen tlemen, I have laid all these greivances before the Council at a considerable length, in doing which I was ably assisted by my colleague. Tho folowing epitome of woik done will shew the result of our labors. First, is the Hawkers and Pedlars Bill, which pressing severely on a parti cular class, I opposed and caused it to bp thrown out on the third reading. The next measure was the Provincial Council Extension Bill, which in its original shape liberally gave us an inorease of one member only. This insufficient representation I strenuously opposed, and finally had the satisfaction of adding three instead of one to the original number, making a total of five to be returned at the next election, viz., two for Hokitika, one for the Grey, and two for the gold-fields The Municipal Act I requested the Government to amend, but they neglected to do so, and the consequence was that I was compelled to bring in a short bill myself providing for the first election of members of municipal councils on the goldfielcls. This was not provided for, in the original Act, and by suspension of the standing orders I was enabled to got my Bill through, and the Act is now called the " Municipal Councils Amendment Ordinance." Considering it advisable to place tho di&tvict under the provisions of tho Slaughter House and Police Ordinances, my colleague and myself applied for their extension to this district and that of tho Grey, but not being armed with special authority from tho latter district, wo succeeded in bringing Hokitika only under thoir working. This fact shows tho niggardly disposition to do justice to West Coast interests. (Hear.) I also brought forward a motion that it was advisable that all public works should bo submitted to tender which was lost by a majority of nine to seven, notwithstanding they had previously endorsed tho principle as a correct one, by deciding that East Coast works should bo publicly tendered for. I cannot help expressing my satisfaction that much good has already accrued to Westland through the exposure in tho Council of tho many abuses under which wo labored,' and would suggest tho advisability of immediately electing a committee to decido upon the beßt courso to bo adopted, in order to extricate Westland from tho difficulties into which it is fast drifting. There are thrco courses open — Separation, to which for several reasons I object. A Local Board under tho Provincial Council, and a Local Board under the direction of the General Assembly. Tho latter I am most in favor of, for tho following reasons, viz : — because the Canterbury Government have shewn themselves incapable of dealing with tho necessities of this district. Because their selfish and 'reckless expenditure of our nionoy on all but useless works has already increased our difficulties. Because they have not displayed the necessary disposition to develope our resources by opening up the country. Because they have not protected the interests, rights, and property of the people. They have also shown a thorough contempt of public opinion ; and last, but noi least, I consider the interests of the east and west coasts are incompatible in a pecuniary point of view. Therefore I see no chance of getting all our revenue spent on this side of tho range, as long as the East Coast has so large a majority of members. .In conclusion, I beg to thank tho electors for the confidence they have reposed in mo, although I rogret being obliged to refuse, through the demands made upon mo by my business, coming forward again as a candidato for the West Coast, either in tho Provincial Council or the Assembly. At tho sarao time, on some future occasion, I hope to have the honor of again soliciting yonr suffrages. (Tho hon." gentleman resumed his seat amid loud and continued applause.) Mr Prosser again rose, and said he would bo happy to answer any questions upon points which he might have omitted to refer to. Mr Sprot said he would be glad to know if the inimical feeling towards tho West Coast which he had said he fouud to exist in Christchurch, might Hot in Mr Piosser's opinion, be the result merely of the views of tho present Executive, whitsh would soon, in all probability, be succeeded by another.

Mr Prosser replied — He had very clearly stated that the feeling he had referred to was the general feeling of the Provincial Council, and he was satisfied that^any proposal would always bo carried in that body, which had for its object the getting as much ruouey as possible out of Westland, to be spent on the eastern side. (Cheers.) Mr Sprot wished to ask Mr Prosser if he was aware whether tho constitution of the colony would render such a scheme as he had suggested, viz., the government of Westlaud by a committee or local board, practicable , Mr Prosser said he had had simply suggested the appointment of a committee to take measures for the establishment of some system of selfgovernment. It would be lor such a committee to consider the ques ion. i He should decline to answer any question as to his own opinion.

Mr Sprot again rose again amtd some sligbt signs of diaapproba'ion, which, however, lasted only for a * moment. He said he had not the slightest intention to adopt an unfriendly tone towards Mr Frosser. He believed that he had done hia duty honestly and well, and deserved the ihanks of the community for ihe sacrifices he had made as a business man, and the services he had rendered. He (Mr Sprot) had himself been in his time a member of the Provincial Council, and had endeavored to do his duty according to his ability. He was as anxious as they wero to promote the interosts of the West Coast, and although a comparative stranger amongst them he had a stake in 'the district. He believed that the present Exeoutivo and tho present Superintendent of the Province had not done their duty to Westland, but the time was near at hand when they would have a new Superintendent and a new Executive, and then tho district would be very differently dealt with, and justice would be dono to it. (Ohoere.) He again •aid the plan suggested by Mr Prosser could 80t 1)9 parried out und«f tht Constitution of

tho colony, which provided for tho government of provinces — not of districts — by Superintendents and Provincial Councils, and not by Committees or Boards. (Cries of " that's right," and choers.) Mr Chamberlain said ho considered Mr Prosser's proposal to moan separation, and was proceeding, when tho Chairman called him to order, and said tho meeting was called to listen to Mr Prosser, and not to hear speeches from overybody. (Laughter). After tho interchange of a few pleasantries of tho charactor usual on such occasions,

Mr Munro proposod that tho thanks of tho eleotors present should bo given to Mr Prossor for his ablo and useful services as thoir roprosontativo in tho Provincial Council.

Mr Walkor seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously by bliow of hands, and followed by threo cheors* Mr Prossor briefly returned thanks, and explained that ho had not declined to answer Mr Sprot's question from nny discourtesy to that gentleman, but because it was not for him, but for the committeo to consider tho point that had beon raised. It would bo necessary, of course, to pass an Act of tho General Assembly to establish tho schemo ho had suggested $ but such an act tho Assembly would bo quito competent to pass It might also be the duty of the committee to endeavour to find out a proper man, and to bring him forward, to represent Westland in tho Assembly. He congratulated 1 the meeting upon the order which had been maintained throughout, and thanked them for the cordiality which they had carried the motion. (Cheers) He begged in conclusion to propose a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

This was carried by acclamation, and in ncknowledging it Mr Macgregor said the post might have been better tilled by one who was less a stranger to the district ; but he saw ninny faces before him that ho had boon familiar with for tho last ten or twelvo years, and ho would always bo happy to do anything in his powor to servo tho community ho was residing amongst. (Cheers.) Tho meeting then separated.