The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 374, 12 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1868.

As will be seen by advertisement in another column, a meeting is called to-night, for the purpose of considering the oft mooted question of a Progress Committee. Since the last occasion, when a meeting was announced that ended in nothing, a considerable change in public opinion, in reference to the election of such a body, has taken place, many that were then either opposed to it, or at least indifferent, being now warmly in favor of its establishment. Possibly the good effects that have already followed the efforts of Charleston Committee, have had something to do with the change, but in addition to this, the dullest can no longer blind their eyes to the necessity there is for having some body to represent the public, and care for TT «stport interests. The recent stoppage of public works without rhyme, reason, or explanation, has stirred up a few that were apathetic before, but there are no doubt other causes, that have aided in convincing the public generally, as to the expediency of having some recognised representatives to stand between them and the Government. No doubt a Progress Committee, is not as useful as a Municipal Council would be, for it is destitute of legal status or authority, but at the same time it is a very fair substitute, and its suggestions are listened to by the ruling powers in every province where such, an institution obtains. There are we know, many who would prefer seeing a municiplitay established forthwith, and we confess that we belong to that persuasion ourselves, but on the other hand, there are many who have a horror of "taxes "of all kinds, and who only regard corporations of every description, as engines of torture in this particular. The greatest alarmist on that score has nothing to dread in a Progress Committee, so we may presume they will offer no opposition, unless they may regard it as a stepping stone to a Municipality. That it may be so, is sincerely to be hoped, but at the same time as no Municipality can be formed except on petition signed by at least one hundred householders of the district, and as oppositionists have the power of sending a counter petition if they think fit, no concealed danger need be feared by them in this respect. Thei'e are some however, who wish to take immediate steps for the formation of a Municipal Council instead of proceeding with the election of a Progress Committee. "We would remind these persons that the two projects can be concurrent if they so desire, but that under the most favorable circumstances, several months must elapse before it would be possible to inaugurate municipal institutions. In the first place the petition has to be prepared, signed, and forwarded, a work under the most speedy arrangements of two or three weeks. After receipt and gazetting, another week at least, it has to remain for consideration for two months, in order to give those who are unfavorable to the prayer of the petition, an opportunity of opposing it by counter petition. After that, it is considered, and if not opposed, granted, and the consent has to be gazetted, another fortnight or three weeks being thus consumed. This concluded, twentyone days more have to elapse before the election, and then some weeks pass by before the Council is in working order. It is clear then, that nothing would be gained by delay for this end, whilst a Progress Committee on the other hand, could be at work within a week. There is an abundance of employrnentto engage their attentionforthwith. For instance, the recent stoppage of all public works, the consequently unprotected state of the river bank, and the imminent danger to which property in Wharf street is exposed to at present. Even if unable to do more, they can at least "ascertain to what cause we are indebted'for the late des-

aatrous step, and remonstrate with tbe authorities on the egregious insanity of half doing a work at great expense, and then allowing the water to wash that half away in default; of completion. A little exertion on their parts would induce the Panama boats with all attendant advantages to call periodically in our roadstead ; the money voted for tracks last session i could atleastbe enquired after,andprobably the proportion coming to the district would be expended as they advised. The tracky up the Buller could bo completed very likely if they took the matter up ; the back streets would be attended to, the existing nuisances might at any rate be abated, and other things that now want looking after in the town be paid attention to. A host of other subjects of importance to the community are ready to engage their attention, but, chief of all, by energy and intelligence a committee may be the means of developing the boundless coal resources of the district, "We recently stated, that if the preliminary difficulties are cleared away, there is no trouble whatever in obtaining the capital that may be required to work the mines, and for this end alone the formation of a committee is desirable. We have no fear that the matter will drop through this time, but it behoves every one who takes the slightest interest in the welfare of the district to attend the meeting to-night, and aid the movement by hia presence, We live ; in ticklish times at present, and should be something worse than lunatics, if we neglected to encourage anything that has for its object the advancement and development of the district and its resources.