The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 376, 14 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1868.

The result of the meeting of Monday last, cannot fail to have been satisfactory to all who really wish Westport well, and the enthusiastic and vigorous way in which those present set to work, not only to initiate but to create a Progress Committee, was as welcome as it was unexpected, and strongly contrasted with the apathy shown on former occasions. Men of the right stamp came forward and helped "the movement, and a more unanimous meeting could not have been found. The committee chosen is an excellent one, every member of it having a large stake in the town, and all being known as shrewd business men. A more healthy revival of public spirit could not have been manifested, and if this is maintained, we venture to say that a vast change for the better will soon be effected in Westport affairs generally. The very faet of such a committee having been formed, will have, as a speaker at the meeting remarked, an excellent effect on the Nelson Provincial authorities. They will see that this portion of the "West Coast, is at length waking up to the necessity for looking more sharply after the management of its own affairs, instead of resting satisfiedjwith their being blindly delegated to others, over whom the public here had no control whatever. A Progress Committee in Westport, and another in Charleston, are indications of a growing desire for self-government, and though but the germs,from them will spring other institutions that the law recognises; at what stage popular feeling may be satisfied, has yet to be proved. It was with no small pleasure that we noticed the declared desire on the part of many speakers, that a municipality should be established here; amongst them were one or two not-able

converts to thia idea, who, on a former occasion were bitterlyopposed i to it. Their recantation was frank i and complete, and out of this change : of opinion, there is every reason to ; hope substantial good will arise. A few persons affect to sneer at the establishment of a committee, and would have waited rather to inaugurate a municipality. As we have shown a day or two ago, this Jcould not take place under the most favorable circumstances, for some four months, and it surely was better to have half a loaf than no bread, a public body, irregularly constituted even, with no legal status or powers, rathe? than none, especially, as at the same time, all preparations for a change to municipal institutions can proceed. The duties of tho new Committe, are of an extensive nature, and though inferior to a municipality in authority, they can take up subjects that would be beyond the municipal province. The coal subject, is one instance where the Committee can do more than a Council would be empowered to do. It has been asked, what are the functions of the Committee ? In reply we may say, that they are expected to watch over the best interests of the town and district, and appeal to the G-overnment or the authorities, on any subject where occasion arises. They are in fact, a body chosen for the purpose of looking after all local matters, suggesting and, where possible, carrying, out such works as may be needed. They are a kind of court, to which any one suffering from a real or supposed grievance may appeal, and it is their duty to take such steps as the assurance of the case demands, and circumstances permit. They are in fine a most useful body, and we have every confidence that they will before long, prove their utility in a practical form. As we before remarked, the general feeling on Monday night was favourable to the formation of a municipality here, and many of the gentlemen who now compose the Committee so expressed , themselves. What better task then could they undertake, than to initiate proceedings in this respect, by getting a petition prepared in the form of the Act, obtaining the necessary signatures, and forwarding it with as little delay as possible. The advisability of the step is almost universally admitted, as evidenced on Monday last, but till now there was no one to rely on. The Committee can carry the idea out without difficulty, and it is to be hoped that they will take this responsibility on themselves. As will be seen in another column, they have not let the j grass grow under their feet, and held i their first meeting yesterday. The public have every confidence in them, | and we have no doubt it will be justij fied to the uttermost, and also that i Westport will in time to come, have : every reason to rejoice at the consequences of the meeting of Monday last, and the choice of representatives that then was made.