TUB SEPARATION PETITION.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 502, 11 May 1869, Page 2

TUB SEPARATION PETITION.

Information has been received from Mr Adam Porter that, in the Grey River district, he has received nearly a thousand signatures to the Separation petition, although there has been a strong opposition on the part of a few who are favorable to government from Nelson, and from others who had been communicated with by those who are interesting themselves in the movement set on foot in Greymouth. In noticing the visit of Mr Porter to the Napaleon diggings, the Argus says:—

He held a meeting at Craig's Hotel, at which Dr. Grant presided, for the purpose of taking into consideration the movement for Separation of the Nelson South-west Gold Fields from Nelson. The Westport memorial, to which he wished to obtain signatures,

was read by Mr Porter, and at the conclusion of his remarks he was asked if he was prepared to propose a resolution in support of the memorial with which he was entrusted. He declined to do so, whereupon another person came forward and proposed a resolution to tbis effect:—" That whilst this) meeting fully admits the unsatisfactory and anomalous circumstances of the position of the Grey district, yet it enters its decided protest against any further sub-division of government on the principle of County Councils, believiug such principle to be incompatible with good government; and, furthermore, it believes that whilst the Nelson Government may not have proved itself perfect, yet it haa so far discharged its responsibilities to the public as to have secured public confidence, aud has thereby shown its capability of governing the whole of the West Coast—an arrangement preferable, it believes, to any yet proposed." No seconder could be found for this resolution, and, on the motion of Dr Donovan, the meeting was adjourned until Saturday evening. "We observe that Messrs "W. H. Harrison, M.H.K., and George Gilmer have consented to form a deputation from the Greymouth Central Commit-

tee to the various diggings up-country for the purpose of explaining the objects of the proposed new County for the Grey Eiver District, and of obtaining the co-operation of the inhabitants. They are to hold meetings at Brunnerton, Red Jack's, Nelson Creek, New Ahaura, and Napoleon's,