The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 230, 27 April 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1868.

Ist the Superintendent's address on the opening of the third session of the Nelson Provincial Council, the first question of moment to this part of the Province is thus referred to: —"You will have learned with regret that a breach of the peace has occurred in the neighborhood of "Westport, arising out of the excited state of public feeling caused by the sad event to which the preceding paragraphs refer, and that some serious assaults were committed. Considerable excitement and some alarm still prevail at Addison's Plat and Westport, but I have too much reliance, both upon the good feeling of the people and the firm and judicious management of Mr Commissioner Kyunersley, to apprehend any further serious disturbance of the public peace. Should it unfortunately prove that this view of the matter has been too hopeful, I feel that I may depend upon your support in maintaining peace and good order, and in protecting any man in the exercise of his lawful occupation at whatever cost." This requires no comment. The next item refers to the financial position of the Province, by which it appears that there is a balance on the debit side of the banker's book of £9500; but this is not of any very material importance. His Honor's idea of our permanent prosperity is not a sanguine one ; he says —" But I wish you to understand that there is an amount of uncertainty in the present state and prospects of the SouthWestern Goldfields, upon the progress and prosperity of which the Provincial revenues so greatly depends, which makes it difficult to arrive at an estimate which can be relied upon. At this period last year new ground of promising character, and of large extent, had been, or was in course of being, brought under the operation of the miner, and our population was increasing. Now, although the yield of gold is well maintained, and every district of the Groldfields is in a satisfactory and prosperous condition, no special attraction exists to justify me in calculating upon large accession to the number at present engaged upon them, while we are at all times liable to the effects of the counter-attraction of other goldfields, of which an instance has lately occurred in the diversion of some hundreds of our miners to those of Queensland, although many of them are already, probably on their way back again." The extension of our goldfields, and theconsequentincreasein ourpopulation, will depend most materially on the faculties offered by the way of tracks &c. to the miner, for the exploration of what is now unknown country. If liberal grants are voted for these purposes, they will be abundantly repaid by an additional gold yield. There is no word about Mining Boards, but

in reference to the existing regulations be says : —" As soon as practicable, after the receipt of tbe Acts of tho General Assembly passed during the lato session, I took steps for the revision of the Gold-Eields Mining Regulations, by calling upon the miners to| appoint representatives to confer with 1 ' the Warden of their district, so that that the nature of the alterations required in each locality might be ascertained. Subsequently, the Wardens met together, and agreed upon a new code of regulations, suited so far as possible to the wants and peculiarities of every part of the gold-fields. They are now in the printer's hands, and will be brought into operation with the least possible delay." Mr Curtis in the subjoined, gets fairly on his hobby and rides it full tilt, evidently expecting that his pervading idea is now likely to be realised. Even with the assistance he is so jubilant over, we fear his project is doomed to failure. " A preliminary survey of the line for the proposed Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway, has at length been completed, and the full and able report of Mr Wrigg, the engineer employed upon it, will be laid upon your table. Much delay has, unfortunately, occurred in this matter, owing, in the first place, to the failure of Mr Ogilvie, the engineer whose services had been retained by the late Acting Superintendent, to carry out his engagement, and the time occupied in selecting and arranging with a gentleman of repute and experience to take his place ; and, secondly, to the extremely unfavorable state of the weather which prevailed during Mr Wrigg's expedition. The result confirms us in the conviction that no engineering difficulties stand in the way or the construction of the line, and that no works of more than usual magnitude are required. Mr Wrigg's estimate of the cost per mile agrees also closely with the rough one which had previously been made. I have requested Mr Wrigg to remain in Nelson a short time longer tban he would have done, in order to give you the opportunity of obtaining from him any further information, or explanation which you may require. Mr Morrison the agent for this province in London, is now in the colony, and may be expected here about the end of May, when I shall confer fully with him on this important subject, and determine upon the precise measures to be adopted, in order to bring it under the favorable consideration of capitalists in England. I have the pleasure to inform you that Sir George Grey has expressed much interest in tbe undertaking, and that he has kindly allowed me to instruct Mr Morrison to furnish him with the necessary details on Sir George's arrival in England, and has promised to render all the assistance in his power to promote its success. I need hardly enlarge upon the value of the co-operation of a gentleman possessing so extensive a knowledge of the Colony, and so greatpersonal influence as the late respected Governor of the Colony." In the next paragraph he states that the lease of the Brunner Coal Mine of the Grey, has been cancelled through the non-fulfilment of the essential conditions of the lease. He next refers to the approaching completion of the telegraph line between Nelson, Westport, Charleston Brighton, and Cobden, on which he congratulates the province. These were the only subjects re ffering specially to the gold-fields in the address. We wait for the Estimates to gain an insight into the sums apportioned for the public service, the public works or institutions of the West Coast.