The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 182, 29 February 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1868.

We need scarcely remind our readers that to-day the mining delegates are invited to assemble at the various Court-houses for the purpose of revising the Groldtields Regulations. A strong feeling seems to pervade the mining community regarding the proposed conference, and we doubt whether tliey will prove a success. There can be no doubt that Mining Boards, and Mining Boards only, are able to deal with the subject of mining, and we believe that it is almost impossible to amend the Regulations, but at the same time we think it unwise ou the part of the mining community to decline to take action in the matter. There are many subjects that could be dealt with by a conference that would tend to improve the condition of the miner and remove some of the ineou* gruities nnder which he labors. The intention of the Commissioner was, no doubt, a good one, but aswe stated at the commencement we thought it would not be palatable to the mining community, who require a local board to deal with a number of their grievances.

F.to.u every j art of New Zealand an outcry seems to be gaining ground against the continuance of Provincial i utitutions, and the remedy proposed to be substituted is that of local institutions, so that each district may have not only the control of its own resources, but also administer to its own wants. If any scheme is likely to give satisfaction there can be no doubt but that this is the one. As we have before urged, it is impossible for a provincial government to grapple with or understand the wants of a district situated at a distance from the seat of government. Wants that may appear petty and paltry at a distance will be found on closer examination to be anything but paltry or insignificant, and repairs or alterations that could be effected at the right time by the judicious expenditure of a few hundreds of pounds, by the time that the Provincial Government takes cognisance of them, wil probably cost thousands, if indeed the injury is capable of being repaired. The previncial system may do in an unsettled and almost uninhabited country, but where there are large centres of population at a distance

from the seat of Government its unfitness becomes at once apparent. Various schemes have been proposed to meet the change now rapidly nearing us, for that the days of provincialism are numbered, there cannot be the slightest doubt. Municipal institutions have been menion ed, and an act has been passed in the General Assembly specifying the forms to be gone through in order that a district may obtain this end, but the act is something so ponderous to grapple with, that we think not many districts will care about availing themselves of its provisions. The more simple plan appears to be that of district councils or road boards, which would at once grapple with any local want before it had extended to any magnitude. If such a board was in existence in Westport we should not have so much to complain about or hear of the perpetrating of so many blunders as cutting tracks where roads are required. The latest scheme for dealing with provincial institutions is that of Mr Munro, one of the members of Council for Marsden. We reprint elsewhere an article relating to it from the New Zealand Herald. He proposes that the province should be divided into counties, each having the management of its own affairs. The members

of these county courts should be chosen from the people, and possessed of a certain amount of property. The plan appears an admirable one in many respects, and the whole gist of it may be summed up as follows : —" These sessions, or courts," he says, " meet in each county once or twice a-year, as circumstances demand, and are entrusted with all powers for transacting and regulating all county matters, such as appointing all township officers of every grade—supervisors of public property—for voting monies to be assessed for county purposes —erecting public bui.dings—managing roads and bridges, and laying out new roads, mrking regulation segarding cattle, fences,thistles (Scotch),

and all noxious weeds—ferries within the county —poor rates and paupers—statute labor on the roads, and everything else connected with the internal

affairs of the county, publicans' licenses, &c. The magistrates and grand jury form the court, assisted by a clerk, who is termed the Clerk of the Peace. The court has a president called the Custos (Rotulorum), nominated by the Government, but with power in the session to displace him by a vote. The Custos appoints the Clerk of the Peace, who gets a salary, and who takes down all proceedings of the Court, and enters them in a book of record, and is theprincipal actingofficerof the country throughout the year, and is the depository of all the municipal proceedings of the year, assessment rolls, office returns, &c. The magistrates in session decide by a vote of the majority, and any disputed questions, the Customs voting equally. The grand jury present all township officers for selection, generally double the number necessary, from which the magistrates in session select the number required. The grand jury present all sums necessary for county purposes, salaries, buildings, paupers, criminals, witnesses, &c, which are accepted by the court generally, or modified and again presented to the grand jury for approval; the magistrates cannot refuse or add to the amount of the presentment. There is also a county treasurer, who gives bonds for execution of office. The Custos or other magistrates have no fees or other emoluments, but grand jurors who represent distant districts are paid. Every county has a Sheriff annually appointed by the Government out of three nominated to be selected from."

Depaetuee op the Southland.— The paddle steamer, Southland, took a good many passengers to Hokitika en route for Queensland yesterday. As her departure is for an indefinite period aid her destination the Auckland Islands. Several of our townsmen were on board previous to her departure to wish Captain Kirkpatrick and his officers Godspeed. By the West Coast Times of the 2(j:h, we see that she has been chartered by the Southland Government for an expedition to the Islands in search of the gold of the General Grant. She will on her way call at the Bluff, where divers, and all the neceesary apparatus are awaiting her.

Seeious Accident. —On Thursday evening, a man named Moses Thomas, met with a serious accident near Tibby's Hotel, in consequence of being rushed by a wild bull. Mr Thomas received a severe wound in the thigh, but we are happy to say that he is- progressing favorably under the care of Dr "Worral. Me. Eastwood's Benefit. —Last evening Mr Eastwood, who is so wellknown in connection with the Christy's Minstrels and the Nathan troupe, took a benefit at Hamilton's Adelphi Theatre. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the house was well attended by an audience who appeared to appreciate the comicalities of the " niggers," while the dancing of Messrs Peel, Burgess, and Coghlan was much admired and called for encores, as did also the singing of Miss Cowan. The most laughable feat of the evening was the performance of Mr Eastwood, entitled " Zampillaerostation," and which reminded one of the inimitable Harry Leslie. Altogether a more enjoyable evening has seldom been spent in Westport. Sale op Land. The Provincial Government Gazette of Nelson, announces the sale by auction of 26 sections of land in the township of Westport, to take place at the Crown Lands Office, Nelson, on Saturday the 28th March. Teack to the Caledonian.—The Provincial Gazette of 25th, authorises John Scott, who was previously gazetted owner of a track to the Caledonian, to alter the charge per horse from three shillings to five shillings. Trimble's Free Ball and Supper. —Last evening Mr Trimble gave a free ball and supper, at the Nelson Hotel The table was laid out in a manner that would have done credit to any hotel in New Zealand, and we were quite surprised at what the host put on the table. comprising not only the ordinary joints, but every description of poultry and fruit. The dancing was kept up till a late hour, every body appeared highly satisfied with the entertainment provided.