THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION.

West Coast Times, Issue 309, 19 September 1866, Page 2

THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION.

[from yesterday's orey ritvEß ARars.] A special meeting of the Improvement Committee was held at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, to consider a communicntion received by Mr W. 11. Harrison by telegraph from Mr Moorhouse relative to the increased representation of Westland in the General Assembly. Mr Maclean was called to the chair, and Mr Harrison' explained the circumstances under which- he had suggested the meeting of the Committee. On the previous afternoon he had received a telegram from Mr Moorhouse, statina that he had brought in a Bill in the House of Representatives for increasing the number of members foi Westland, but that it had met with so much opposition from the Government as to make it very desirable that a public petition should be immediately got up and forwarded by the time for the second roading of the IHII. Mr Moorhouse proposed to give one member each to Ilokitika and Grey mouth. He (Mr Harrison) thought it was unnecessary for him to urge the importance of the proposed measure, affecting as it did the most vital interests of the district. He had thought it the best plan for giving effect to Mr Moorhouso's wish to submit the ; matter to the committee, as there was no time for a public meeting. He had prepared a draft memorial for consideration, and invited the assistance of ,the committee in obtaining signatures. The draft me- I morial was read and approved, and resolutions were passed for ensuring its extensive signature. The'following is a copy of the petition : — " To the Honorable the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled, " The petition of the undersigned inhabitants of G-reymouth, in tho district of Westland, humbly sheweth — " That your petitioners have learned with great satisfaction that a bill has been introduced in your honorable House, having for its object the granting increased representation to the district of Westland. " That in the opinion of your petitioners, the time has arrived when, by reason of its population, trade, aud large contribution to the revenues of the colony, the district of Westland can fairly claim increased representation in your honorable House, and thus a greater voice in the councils of tho colony. " "That the Groldfields of the district of Westland are the most extensive and populous in the colony, and that there arc man;> j special circumstances relating to the" mining industry of the district which demand the legislation of your honorable House, and require that duo representation without which no legislation can be satisfactory or beneficial. " Your petitioners therefore trust that your Honorable House will take into consideration the prayer of your petitioners, and grant such measure of increased representation as your Honorable House may consider the district of Westland entitled to receive. " And your petitioners will ever pray, 4c, &c. A public meeting, convened by Mr Commissioner Sale, was held at Hokitika on | Saturday, T. L. Bright, Esq., M.P.C., in the chair. The following letter, which has been forwarded to us, will explain the c urse adopted :—: — " HoMtifca, Saturday night, September 15, 1866. " W. H. Harrison, Esq., Greymouth, " I nm instructed by a Committee appointed at a public meeting, held th's day tit the Supreme Court House, at which I had the honor to preside? to communicate with .you on the subject, of the Bill introduced by Mr Moorhouse in the House of Representatives, to enlarge the representation of Westland. The meeting unanimously adopted resolutions, the purport of which is embodied in the petition which-I forward to you. lam desired to solicit your earnest cooperation in procuring signatures to this petition throughout the Grey district, and respectfully to impress upon you the fact that promptness of action is most necessary. The unusual course adopted, of opposing the bill on the motion for its first reading, proves the very strong feeling which obtains in the Assembly against the claims of this district to an adequate share in the representation of the "olony. It is understood that Mr Moorhouse's only chance of carrying his measure through its second reading, depends upon strong and demonstrative support being given him here. I may add for your information that the Committee telegraphed to his Honor to-day, immediately after the public meeting, assuring him of energetic support, and promising to inform him by telegraph of the number of signatures attached to the petition up to Tuesday, that he might be in a position to make use of the fact iv order to influence the House either to pass his measure or to postpone the order for its second -reading until tho petition shall have been received., The Committee, not knowing what action might be taken in the matter at Greymouth, and having regard to the mischief that might be done by the delay even of a few hours, have decided to solicit the co-operation of the Grey district in one general movement. You will perceive that the petition asks for Greymouth allihat it asks for Ilokitika, viz., the allotment of one member for each town. More would have been asked, but it wus deemed the most politic course not to risk the loss of all by demanding too much.

" I have therefore now to request you to use your utmost endeavors topressall thevolunteers you can into the service, and to telegraph to me not later than Tuesday afternoon tho total number of signatures obtained in your district. The Committee take the liberty of imposing these duties upon you on an occasion of great public emergency, from your known zeal in the promotion of the interests of the district.

" I am, yours faithfully, " Thos. L. Bright." [The text of the petition adopted by the committee is here given.] . The petition from Greymouth will be forwarded this morning via Ilokitika, leaving . it; to the discretion of Mr Moorhouse whether to present the two petitions separately or as one.