West Coast Times.

West Coast Times, Issue 153, 15 March 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times.

THURSDAY, MAIiCH 14, 18G6.

Is Separation- practicable ? Is Separation desirable? Such were tho two questions submitted at a recent meeting of the Electoral Committee. It is useless to discuss tho latter unless we find ourselves in a position to return an affirmative answer to the former. What then is the existing law of New Zealand with reference to the creation of new provinces ? It is a most anomalous circumstance, that although this subject has been lengthily debated here, no one appears to be in a position to pronounce a definitive opinion. The original constitution of the colony has been so frequently amended, and acts of the Imperial Parliament nnd of the General Assembly so interlace and vex each other, that it is difficult for any politician to unravel the mystery of the law, who has not closely followed the erratic course of legislation. By the third clause of the first Constitution Act, power was conferred on the General Assembly to create new provinces ; but the clause contains the proviso that any Act or Acts for that purpose shall bo ro served for Her Majesty's assent. Largo, powers were conferred on the Governor ; and by the exercise of those powers regulations have been ordained by proclamation, which in effect rule the whole electoral arrangements of the colony. The vurious Acts passed by the Geueral Assembly bearing on this subject, havo received the assent of tho Queen, aud with the present amount of information before us, we are inclined to the opinion that the Royal sanctiou is required to render valid any Act passed by the General Assembly toeiect a new province. The measure passed at the instance of Mr Macandrew during the last session, repealing the Now Provinces Act, and declaring that for the future no additional province shall be constituted except by special enactment of the General Assembly, does appear to involve tho condition that suoh enactment shall be referred home for ratification. We can come to no other conclusion, and therefore accept tho fact that Westland cannot obtain separation from Chrißtchurch except with the concurrence of the Home Government. It may thus be conoeded to thoso who oppose Separation, that the prosecution of that policy would involve a certain delay in obtaining the establishment of an effective system of local government. But is that a fatal objection to the policy itself? or does it suggest any reason why the district should abate its demands? It has uot been shown that any measure of reform stopping short of Separation could be more speedily effected. It appears to be repugnant to the principles of the "Constitution that the district of Westland should be cut off from the existing province of Canterbury, and placed under tho direct control of the General Government. It is equally repugnant to tho provisions of the organic law of tho colony, that tho Provincial Council should bo restrained by any forced conditions from the exeroise of its power of dealing absolutely and at will with the whole revenues of tho Province. No law can be passed without the Royal assent, that will guarantoo to this district tho application to local purposes of the whole, or of any fixed proportion, of its oontri*

butions to tho provincial chest. However well inclined the Superintendent or the Ministry of tho day muy be to deiil justly with us, the rights 01 the district cannot be secured on any legal and assured basis, without some legislation that would require tho same roferenco to the Queen's Government as would be involved in a Separation Act. For a time Westland seems to be bound down to the necessity of a certain dcpendance upon Christchurch. This is the unfortunate effect of the passing" of Mr Macaudrew's Act. It is to. be hoped that the increased representation of the district in the Provincial Council, and the election of a Superintendent with tendencies more sympathetic than those of Mr Uealey, will remedy somoo^ the grievances under which the district labors. But tho ono thing it wants is tho securely guaranteed uso of its own revenue ; and tho recent discussion of this question points to but ono conclusion, viz., that this can be obtained only by tho establishment of a separate Provincial Government. The objection to tins scheme, that it would involve some months delay in carrying it out, fails to have effect, from the circumstance that any othor measure of substantive reform that can bo suggested, would involve tho same delay. Certain practical fruits, however, of a successful Separation movement might be at once reaped. Presuming that a measure for this end passed the General Assembly at an early stage of its sitting, the land revenue of the district would be preserved to it, and it would thus be protected from the threatened confiscation of its estate. The sale of tho town lands is already deferred until some amendments are made by the Assembly J in the present Goldfields Act. A prohibition of any land sales iv the district, without the special reservation of their proceeds, would necessarily be an accompaniment |of the passing of a measure to create a new province, although its actual enforcement might have Ito wait for the sanction of the Queen's Government. There is, besides, a moral law, and Christchuroh would be restrained by it from the selfish appropriation of the revenues of a district that only waited the final process of law to become an independent province. As to the rest, wo must protest against the impatience of results that would make some possible delay in obtaining Separation, an argument against the movement for it. Tho district has not thus far shown much sign of haste in its efforts for the redress of grievances. It lias rather displayed a Christian spirit of long suffering. Bcvsides, Westlaud -has a future, and it is the most practical wisdom to seek to lay the substantial foundations of it. It is at the vory beginning of the development of its vast mineral resources. It has to look forward to the time when the mining pioneer will be followed in his track by the permanent settler. It is destined to be the home of a busy and thriving population. It is passing at present through tho first phaso of industrial occupation. The time is fast coming when something more than a mere goldfleld's administration will have to be provided for. It has to pass through successive stages of development, as all other countries have dono which the discovery of gold has in the first instance opened up, And it ill-becomes the people to neglect or postpone the task of laying the broad and permanent basis of an effective government. Whether Westland, under its present political and social conditions, is ripe for Separation, is a question that remains to be discussed. But wo are satisfied it can be shown, both that all the elements necessary to the maintenance of an independent government exist here, aud that under no other system could the same guarantees of progress and healthy development bo secured.

Tho election contest is not producing much stir. Mr Shaw addrossod tho Kanieri olootors on Tuesday night, and, wo beliovo, proceeds to tho Grey this morning, whoro he will meet tho electors to-night. Ho lias, however, no organized committeo, and appears to rely upon his claims as tho local candidate. Mr Moorhouse's friends aro understood to be working quietly, but earnostly to scour 0 his return, and no doubt tho Chriatolmroh interest will bo brought in full force into the field to-morrow. Tho polling will commonco at nino o'clock, and wo repeat, for tho information of the electors, that tho Poll will be taken at tho Wardens' offices at tho following places : — Hokitika, Greymouth, Waimoa, Oobdon, Twelve Mile, Kanieri, and Ross. Mr Barlow had a full houso at tho Corinthian Hall last night. His entertainment is of a very variod character, and ho has on infinite fund of amusomont in him. His voico is of lluo power, and his vein of humor racy. He does marvollous things on curious musical iustruinents. His greatest achievement, howover, is his impersonation of negro character. His ontortainment is variod by tho exceedingly clover acrobatic porformancos of Mr. Wallace. Saturday boing St. Patriok's Day, the banks will bo dosed,

With rcfoiviioo io a paragraph which appeared in our Gi-oy correspondent's lottcr on the 7th inst., wo aro informed that tho Egmonl, whon last here, was sent away suddenly (prior to tho timo arrangod for her going to tho Grey) owing lo private instructions from head-quarters, and that tho ciroumstanco caused no public inconvonionco githor hero or at tho Grey, as she was only allowed to leave on arrival of tho Claud Hamilton, which took hor place at both ports. In tho case of tho Otago, nothing but tho woathor provontod tho Bruco from leaving for tho Groy at tho appointed timo. Mr Groor decided to despatch tho Otago noxt tide, as boing tho mail boat ho | was uot justified in dotaining hor more than 21 hours, though unfortunately sho was here a fow hours longer, until tho weather moderated. Tho Bruce was lying idle all tho timo, of course much to tho annoyance of tho agent and tho loss of tho owners. Tho sorvicos of tho gold escort havo at length boon called into requisition. Yesterday a sorgcant and two troopors startod for Ross whoro a considerable amount of gold is waiting to bo transferred lo Hokitika. Wo aro glad to sco a body of m'on, who wo believe will be found most usoful, actively omployed, and havo no doubt they will prove an acquisition to the district. Mining matlora aro progressing most favourably on Commissioner's Flat, Kaniori. On Tuesday two frosU shafts woro bottomed, or rather tho auriferous wash was reached, which in oach caso yioldod capital prospects. Tho first was obtained by M'Grath and party, who obtained ono ponnywoight of gold to tho dish of washdirt, but woro proventcd sinking any dcopor than the first layor of bouldora through oxocss of water. Thoir claim is nearly in tho centro of tho flat. Tho other prospect was obtainod out of a shaft which was sunk in a claim situated close to tho prospector's under tho north terrace. Out of four buckets of tho wash dirt threo penny,woights of gold wore extracted. This shaft is also a wot one, and work is consequently suspended until tho water wheel of tho prospectors, and tho steam engine of Henry, Runkins and party, commence pumping. This on gin o, which arrived . a short timo ago from Melbourno, is alroady in position, although all its parts aro not yob attaohod. Its oreotion will bo completed in tho courso of a week or ten days, and in w tho courso of a fortnight the pumps will bo fixed, and work fairly commenced. Tho prospootoi'B also expect tp recommence work about tho same time, as tho wheel is built and erected, tho gear for tbo elevators partly ready, and tho well sunk nearly deop enough. Tho wheel is really an excellent pieco of work, and with one head of water is capable of working up to twolvo horeo power, and as two heads can be usod to advantage, a power equal to that of twontyfour horses can bo obtainod if required. Phillips and party on tho same flat havo erected then 1 ongino house, and aro now oinployod preparing tho olovators. Tho machinery is oxpeotod from Melbourne at an oarly date. Just now Commissioner's Flat bears a greater rcsomblanco to an immonse tirabor yard than anything olso, as it is covered with high stacks of wood whioh but tho other day in tho form of trees covered its surface with an almost impenetrable forest. Tho oleariug, however, that has sinco takou placo is most olfectual, and a vast improvomont upon tho original primitive state. In fonnor issues wo Ihivo errod in stating, that tho , abovo water wheel would draw its supply of water from the Pioneer water raco. Instead, it should havo boon tho United Raco Company, who, wo are happy to say, havo nearly Hnishod their work,, having brought tho water to within a short distanco of tho Kanieri Torraco. In about a month thoy oxpoot to havo a flumo ruuuing purallol to thut of tho Piouoor's, along the wholo length of tho terrace. This company can dopond upon a supply of ten Govormnont sluice heads of water in a season. A party arrived in town yostorday from tho Bcaloy, briuging with him tho information that four of Cobb and Co.'s coaches might bo oxpoctod overland from Ohristchurch to-day. Two ol thorn will, wo boliovo, run botween Hokitika and tho Groy. It is also expected that a number of tho Christohuroh officials, including tho Superintendent and tho Secretary for Public Works, will arrive noxt week. Wo givo this for what it is worth, wondering, if suoh should bo tho case, what noxt will occur, Tho nokitika criminal calondar for tho wook ending Saturday, March 10th, was a light one. Out of tho numbor of prisoners brought before tho llosidont Magistrate for judgment, one only was committed for trial in a higher Court, and nine wevo sentenced to different tormß of imprisonment. Eight prisoners, having complotcd their sentences, woro discharged, and threo lunatics were forwarded to Ohristchuroh for treatment. The number and classification of prisoners at that date woro as follows : 1 committed men, 22 sentenced, and 2 debtors 5 total, 31. Wo observe with much ploasuro tho ostablishmontof another branch firm from a Sydney house, in Hokitika. Mr W. S. Lockhavt, whoso vessels havo traded so regularly to this porfc during tho past twolvo months, fooling satisfied with tho future prospects of Westland, has.purohasod oxtonsivo promises at tho corner of Sowell and Weld-streots, with tho intention of going largely into tho wholesale trade. Already ho has a heavy stock of assorted morohaudiso stored, aud boing an oxtonsive shipowner, the facilities thus afforded him for importation will doubfcloßß eoouro him a good connection both in town and country. Subjoiuod from tho Melbourne papors, is the offioial report of the bailiff who had the honor of boing sworn at lately by Sir Charles Darling :— « I, Richard M'Millan, of No. 86, Chancery Lano, in tho city of Melbourne, in tho colony of Victoria, agent, do solemnly and sincerely declaro that, from instructions received, I attended at tho Treasury on Monday, tho twenty-ninth of January, ono thousand •eight huudrod and sixty-six, and requostod to soo his Exoellonoy tho Govornor, and was prosonted to him by Captain Tyler, who immediately afterwards withdraw. I then said— ' I beg yom- Ejcellonoy's pardon for intruding,

l>uf 1 bare a certificate from tho Prothonotary of tho Supremo Court, to tho effect that one William Joseph Ecroyd has recovovod a judgment against Ilor Majesty the Queon for tho sum of five liuiulred and fourteen pounds five shillings and sovonponoo, being tho aiuounj; of vordiot and costs }' and I at such timo thon nnd thovo produced and showed to his Excollency such original cortificato. His Excellonoy thon became very excited, aad said, ' It. is liko your dnmned iinpudonco to come to mo on such business. I will liavo nothing to do with it. 1 Ho Jhon got up from his ohair, and walkod quickly up and down tho room. I said, 'I beg your Excellency's pardon. I hopo I have Baid nothing to caxise you any uneasiness j but my instructions from Mr Wyburn aro to request your Excellency to cauao that amount to bo paid out of tho consolidated revonuo of tho c.olony. His Ex colloucy then said, • Toll Mr Wyburn it is liko his damned impudeuco to attempt such a thing; and if you don't learo this room immediately. I will have you put out ;' and ho thon called aloud, ( Captain Tyler, Captain 'Tylor,' and at tho samo time pulling tho boll violently. I said, ' I havo to thank your Excellency for tho interview } but lam only obeying my instruc-' tions, and thoro is no reason to call assistance. I will withdraw immediately.' I thon wished his Exoolloncy good afternoon, and retired. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing tho samo to bo truo, and by vitiuo of the provisions of an act of .tho Par* liamont of Victoria rendering persons making a falßO doclnration punishable for wilful and corrupt perjury.— E. M'Miman. ' Declared at tho City of Molbourno this thirty-first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. — J. Biackwood, J.P. There is still no sign of tho Egmont with tho Lenton troupo on board. Tho now Theatre is now quito ready for opening, although tho interior decorations aro not completed. Tho probabilities aro that tho first performance will bo given on Saturday, St. Patrick's Day.