WESTLAND SEPARATION LEAGUE.

West Coast Times, Issue 591, 16 August 1867, Page 5

WESTLAND SEPARATION LEAGUE.

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE KANIERI.

Last evening a crowded public meeting of the inhabitants of the Kanieri district, Aras held at the Star Hotel, when Messrs 3arff, Shaw, Reeves, and Robinson attended as a deputation from the Council Of the League. On the motion of Mr Murphy; Mr Dale was calldd td the chair; The Chaibman having briefly stated the object of the meeting, called on Mr Barff to speak. Mr Babff, who was received with loud cheers, pointed out that in order to remedy the evils under which Westland labored, in cod sequence of the course adopted by the Eastland members in the -Provincial Council, separation was necessary. The fact was that the five Westland members had not the slightest , chance of obtaining justice, because of the determined hostility which the ~Eastland members had shown ( to* ( wards Westland. In. proof of this he "alluded to what had been done with regard to the Westland estimates, in refusing to vote sums actually required for public • works, and to the utter disregard of the rights of the mining interests, which had been evinced by tho Eastland members when considering the land regulations for Westland. He saw no remedy for the evils he had alluded to but Separation from Canterbury, and the creation of Westland into a distinct Province ; for he considered that either annexation to Nelson, or an attempt to be placed under the control of the General Government was at present impracticable, whilst under the New Provinces Act, and the New Provinces Amendment Act, he thougnt that they would have no difficulty in getting Westland declared a separate Province. All that would be necessary to effect that object was that a short Act should be passed by the General Assembly % ' and in order to effect this they ought to lose no time in petitioning the Assembly. The lion member then pointed out how the development of the resources of Westland had been retarded by the Eastland members refusing to vote the necessary supplies for public works and cutting tracks, which were essential for opening up the country. Mr Barff resumed his seat amidst loud applause. Mr Shaw, who was also loudly cheered, pointed out that in the early times of New Zealand it was probably necessary to have several distinct governments. He thought that necessity had passed away, and he should be glad to see a strong central Government established, due provision also being made for local administration. He thought, however, this could not be done at present, and that the only remedy for the evils of which Westland complained, was Separation from Canterbury, and its creation into a separate province. After alluding to the operation of the "New Provinces Act, he pointed out that under the Amended Act, it was necessary that a strong case should be made out before the General Assembly would give the separation asked for. The petition prepared by the League had been extensively circulated in Hokitika, and it was somewhat singular 4liat although some differed from the League as to the remedy to be applied, yet they all agreed that great injustice -had been done to Westland. After alludFing to the promises made by Mr Moorhouse for the advancement of Westland, very few of which had been fulfilled, Mr Shaw pointed out that Mr Moorh«Hge had promised that every penny of the revenue collected in Westland should be spent in the district, and he inquired what had been done as to the fiilfilment of that promise ? Why, the estimates for necessary public works had been cut down, so that a surplus revenue might be created in order to bolster up the insolvent estate of Canterbury. (Cheers.) He contended that Westlanders were much more competent to manage their own affairs than the men of ' Canterbury, who evidently were antagonistic to Westland, and wished to appropriate its revenues to supply their own, deficiencies. He trusted that the men of the Kanieri would help the League in its endeavor to obtain the management of Westland affairs by Westland men, for he believed if such a system wereadopted it would tend to make Westland the mostpermanent and prosperous place in New Zealand. (Loud cheers.) Mr Babff nroyed the following resolution — "That this meeting pledges itself to support the cause of Separation." He said that he felt certain, if they acted with unanimity and earnestness, the General Government would give attention to their case. Mr Wells seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously, amidst loud cheering, Mr Robinson moved, "That a local Committee be appointed, to co-operate with the Separation Committee, such Committee to consist of Messrs Ryan, Dale, Murphy, J. Smith. laghtfoot, Conolly, and Freeman. Mr Reeves seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Several persons volunteered to obtain signatures to the petition.

In the General Assembly, on the 24th ult., a petition was presented from the Rev. F. C. Simmons, praying the House to inquire whether it would not be convenient and advantageous to the public interests of this oolony that scholarships should be established, by means of which hoys acquitting themselves with credit at the principal elementary schools of the country should have an opportunity of receiving the highest oducation which could be given at the Universities in England, and of not only gaining distinction for themselves and opening a way to honorable professions, but also reflecting credit upon the colony by representing the intelligence and the talent and the willingness to study of the young people who have been born and trained up in the colony, the conditions on which such scholarships' should be established, and the best means by which such an object could be obtained without giving ofl'enco to the various classes in the different communities. On the

motion of Mr Dillon Sell the petition was referred to a Belect committee, consisting of Messrs Carleton, Fifzherbert, Haughton, Joland Ormond. Their report is to be up to-day. .

The "Grey River Argus" informs us that the Canoe Crock diggings appear to richly reward the men at work there. Some short time ago we mentioned thst a splendid parcel of 750 ounces had been sold by a single party from that locality, and we may now state that the same claimholders were down last week and sold 288 ounces of gold to the Bank of New South Wales. We learn, also, that several other parties are busy washing up, and will all have large parcels for sale. Tho old diggings at Canoe Creek aro now about worked out :" but tho now gronnd that b»s been opened in the vicinity appears to ba ty»t» Rb|e to support the original population,