NELSON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 509, 27 May 1869, Page 2

NELSON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

WEST COAST AFFAIRS. Tuesday, May 18. BUSH TRACKS. Mr Donne moyed " that the sum of £750 bo placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of cutting tracks at intervals along the coast line between the Mohikinui and the Razorback, so as to enable miners to penetrate the interior of the country." He pointed out the necessity for such a work, as at present it was impossible to get inland, except in those places where old diggings exist; and an amount being judiciously spent in this way, it would be of much assistance to prospectors. Mr M'DoWoll seconded the motion, which was carried.

STEAM SUBSIDY FOR WEST COAST. Mr Reid moved " that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates £OOO for a steam subsidy for the West Coast." He stated that the object in seeking such a grant was, th at a suitable steamer .imight be maintained on the Coast to attend to the requirements of the out-ports northward and and southward of the Euller, and to act as a tug and as a tender to the larger steamers from Melbourne or elsewhere. He mentioned that a Steam Navigation Company had been iu the course of formation for some months in Westport and Charleston, and the preliminary arrangements would shortly be completed for the registration of the same under the Limited Liability Act. lie quoted several precedents in other provinces where subsidies were applied, among which the best comparison was the steamer Waipara at present subsidised by the Weatland, County Council. He stated that the Panama Company's boats had some time ago been iu the habit of calling off the Euller port, and he believed the firm of Messrs M'Meckan and Blackwood might bo induced to call off the port, were a reliable tender once established. He believed such a grant would be a great boon to the commercial interests of that portion of the Province. Mr Luckie seconded the motion. He considered the mover had shown a good and justifiable cause for such a grant. He believed it was much desired by the business people on the Coast. The motion was adopted.

fire EsraisrE for westport. Mr M'Dowell moved " that the sum of £IOO be placed on the- Supplementary Estimates fer the purpose of assisting in purchasing a fire-engine for Westport." Mr Burn seconded the motion, which was adopted. A lengthened discussion then ensued on departmental economy, arising out of a resolution proposed by Mr Gibbs. COMPENSATION TO J. W. LYNCH. Mr Donne moved, " that, in the opinion of this Council, the sum of £72 (one-quarter's salary) should be awarded to Mr Lynch, as compensation for his sudden dismissal from office." A telegram was produced by the Provincial Secretary, from Mr Broad, R.M., showing thst he (Mr Broad) had no authority for informing Mr Lynch that his services were to be retained. Mr M'Mahon moved that the report be referred back to the Committee. This, on a division, was rejected. The original motion was, on a divis- • j'i, rejected by 12 votes against 7. CL„ i; K. TO WARDEN'S COURT, CHARLESTON. Mr 1 U moved, and Mr Eeid seconded, " at his Honor the Super-

intendent be respectfully requested to recommend the clerk of the Resident Magistrate and Warden's Court to the Colonial Government for a subsidy of salary for that officer's services as clerk of the District Court at Charleston." Mr Parker and Mr M'Mahon thought the Council should not recommend the Superintendent to do any such thing. The motion was withdrawn, as the feeling of the Council was averse to its being passed. DBAY EOAD, WESTPORT AND CHARLESTON. Mr Henneliy moved, "that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place upen the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £1,500 for the purpose of forming adray-road between I Westport and Charleston, via Addison's Flat."

The motion was adopted without opposition.

Wednesday, May 19. avhaep accommodation at westpoet. Mr M'Dowell moved "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place the sum of £3,000 on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of forming protective works and wharf accommodatiou at Westport." He pointed out the importance of such an amount being p ranted, and alluded to the present threatening state of the Buller river as likely to destroy the public and private properties of the town. He commented upon the reports of Mr Blackett and Mr Balfour, and said that the money expended on works hitherto had, through bad judgment and mismanagement, been thrown away, and there had been no reason shown why protective works similar to those of Greyinouth could not be completed at the same expense.

Mr Reid seconded the resolution. Mr Wastney hoped the matter would not be pressed to a vote in the face of Mr Brackett's report, which stated that nothing less than £14,000 would complete the works requisite. The report of Mr Blackett was then read. After some further remarks from several members on the question, the motion was carried. TIRE ENGINE FOR CHARLESTON. On the motion of Mr Donne, it was resolved, "That the sum of £IOO be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates towards the purchase of a fire engine for the town and district of Charleston." BRIGHTON TO ROCUFORD's TERRACE. Mr Donne moved, and Mr Hennelly seconded, " That the sum of £SOO be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates, for the purpose of improving and rendering passable the track from Brighton to Roehford's Terrace." Mr Reid desired to know what population there was at Roehford's Terrace, near Brighton. Mr Donne replied that there was as large a population there as at many of the places near Westport, such as the Caledonian, Giles, or Rochfort Terraces, which had good roads to them. The Provincial Secretary moved, and Mr M'Dowell seconded, " That the figures £SOO be struck out and £2O inserted."

The amendment was carried, there being but two votes against it. GttATUITY TO 3111. DEIfT. Mr Donne moved, and Mr Burn seconded, " That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place upon the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £oQ as a gratuity to Mr Dent, Eoad Overseer in the Grey district. The motion, on a division, was rejected—Ayes, S; Noes, 9. SOUTH-WEST GOLD-FIELDS. The four resolutions already published in our columns in reference to securing to the West Coast some method of fixing by law the expenditure of a proportion of the revenue on the Goldfields, were then entered upon at length by Dr Irvine. Dr Irvine said that, in proposing these resolutions, he would, with the permission of the Council, speak to them as a whole, although in doing so he feared he must trespass on their patience more than had been his usual practice. The question of the agitation for West Coast separation was about the most momentous subject to be dealt with by the Council, and yet nothing had been said or done respecting it. It surely was most desirable that it should be fully and freely discussed, in order to arrive at some distinct expression of their opinion upon the matter. A petition for separation fi'om Nclsou had been framed and signed—indeed a copy of it had been laid upon their table—and it would scarcely be becoming for this Council to show an utter indifference to so important a matter. In his remarks respecting the subject he now placed before them, he desired to avoid all personal feeling or references, and would endeavour to discuss the matter upon its own merits. He woidd not enter on the allegation that our goldfields have, from the Government neglect, gradually fallen out of allegiance since the time when Mr Saunders governed, and Mr Blaekett administered the goldfields. He would also avoid speaking to the allegation so freely made on the other side, that this agitatiou for separation had been got up and fostered by those alone who desired to see its success achieved in order to further their own individual interests. Of the truth of such allegations he knew nothing—desired still to know nothing. He had read the memorial over carefully, but it had

been drawn so loosely that it was difficult to see or imagine now the alleged facts and figures it contained had been arrived at. It asserted that the revenue derived from the "West Coast goldfields had been £IOO,OOO in 180S ; now this, on the face of it, bore the impress of gross error, as the revenue of the whole province had been only about £IOO,OOO. Then, again, the whole tenor of the document seemed to be to ignore the liability of the goldfields to bear any portion of the general expenses of Government. On what principle the West Coast sought to escape paying its fair share of such expenditure he was at a loss to conceive. Then the memorial spoke of " Quixotic schemes ;" now he felt at a loss to understand what was meant

by " Quixotic schemes." If they referred to the proposed railway, then he would say that such scheme was M r.o means Quixotic, though perhaps it might be premature, lie had never heard anyone dispute that, if the railway scheme as proposed could be carried out, it would be of immense use to the whole province. Singular to say, the petitioners said it would be of no use to them "if successful," though more than half of it would run through the South-West Gtoldfiekls; and no one could surely dispute the

benefit of cheap transport. As to the share expended in the districts, he believed it would be found that, out of every pound collected, a larger share was returned to the West Coast than was expended in the settled districts. If this were disputed, he, for one, would willingly have the matter referred to a committee of the Council, in which the West Coast should be represented by equal numbers. Thei-e possibly might have been one circumstance which had misled the framers of the memorial, which was that a larger amount had been voted on the Estimates for the West Coast than had been expeuded. To disabuse their minds on this subject, ho would remind them that some £41,000 had been expected beyond what had been received. This naturally led to reductions of the various sums voted to be expended, in which this part of the province suffered proportionally with the West Coast. The question then naturally arose, lias the West Coast any cause of complaint as to the amount of money spent there? lie thought not. But the fact still remained that dissatisfaction did exist and had taken a tangible shape, and must be manfully faced. Now, he considered that there were four possible modes in which this agitation might be allayed. First : By reducing taxation to the point at which it would pay for administration, aud to leave all great works to be executed by private enterprise. Second : By increased liberality to the West Coast, in order to keep it in good humour. Third: To allow of their separation; and Fourth: To adopt a fixed allocation of expenditure compared with the revenue of the West Coast. Liberality had been tried, but with no good effect; the Council had voted for a reduction of various sums to be expended in this portion of the province, whilst the £29,100 placed on the Estimates as West Coast items had been glibly voted by the Council at the rate, say, of £2,000 a minute ! Had that liberality been by any means successful ? iS T o, for ever since then additional proposals for expenditure on the West Coast had been brought forward, which shewed that AVest Coast members thought they had not secured enough ; that policy was like pouring water into a sieve, and the cry was still, give, give. He next came to the expedient of separation, which he thought was objectionable, and for the following reasons: Suppose separation to be conceded, and the West Coast to he constituted as a county, it would of course bo managed by a County Council. Now, with what real objects would the menberr of such Council be returned ? The answer was not difficult to find, for already a similar county had existed on the West Coast for two years. Had that county been successful ? Had the members representing the different districts gone into the Council with a desire to pass useful measures? He thought not. Ho had read some of the debates that had taken place, audhad concluded that in. no assembly in the world had he witnessed or heard of more disgraceful conduct than had been exhibited there. The whole object of the members seemed to be—irrespective of any policy—to get the utmost possible amount for the districts they severally

represented. In fact, he found that, on returning to their constituents, they boasted to theni how much they had been enabled to secure for them out of the general scramble. Such Councils were surely counterfeits, shams of local self-government, and must he allowed a total failure. He would willingly admit that many things were done by Provincial Councils which had better be left undone, but they contrasted favourably with the paramount spirit exhibited in a County Council. Was it not a fact that Mr Bonar, a high-mind-ed man, had resigned his seat in disgust? The inference was, that in similar countries similar results would appear. Again, no community, he tuought, be it large or small, should ce governed by one class alone. What would have become of Yictoria if entrusted to the squatters exclusively? Now on the West Coast the mining population and mining interests predominated so much, that it : would scarcely be safe to put power : w their hands. And would the county, if constituted, prove lasting ? it reminded him of one of those deni-' !

Zens of our river 3 which one might see with the glass embosomed in the body of the parent, but alreadv showing signs of becoming one itself; —the still unborn County of Westland North was already suffering the pangs of maternity, being big with another county, or rather half-county, on the G-rey. Where was this to stop ?, One thing was clear, that when it did stop—when the colony was shred up into minute particles, local liberty would bo abridged ; and, the provinces no longer existing to resist the centralizing party, everything would be regulated from Wellington. But, what he proposed for meeting the West Coast difficulty was the proposal which he had put on the notice paper.

He conceived that the idea of agitating for separation had arisen from a mistaken idea; and yet it was not altogether surprising that when the inhabitants of the West Coast saw so much of their money leaving their district, and were less assured of its return in the shape of salaries, &c, they should think such a state of things to be suspicious The remedy for all this was, he considered, a fair understanding with the West Coast. Let them, if they would, have a conference and learn what their alleged grievances really were, and on what foundation they rested. The West Coast now feels that it is dependent solely on the uncertain, and what they may think variable, sense of justice of this Council, which could, if'it chose,

so expend the public revenue as to starve the goldfields which so largely produced it. The increased representation given to them, which secured them five seats out of nineteen, did not appear to them enough ; they claimed equality. What he desired was that this Council should pass an A ct ; to be confirmed by the Governor, devoting a large fixed "amount of the revenue of the West Coast gold-fields to be expended solely by the Council on the gold-fieMs. The whole revenue could not be given to them, but they should have a large proportion of it. It might by some be said of such an Act, that we passed it under the impulse of some momentary fear, and that it would be repealed so soon as the agitation passed over. His reply to any sueh thought would be that, it being a money bill, it must go before the Governor, and could not be repealed without the Governor's assent, and the West Coast might rest assured that it could not be taken away from them. In conclusion, he would say that he thought not only the present, but the future interests of the West Coast would be better insured by this Council than by a County Council. The present population of the "West Coast was but a fleeting one; the inhabitants generally had no interest in the laud save thenpresent search for gold. If power be placed in their hand can the permanent improvement of the West Coast be expected ? The land was held in trust by the Government for all time, and therefore those who administered it must be careful that they looked out not only for gold but for some permanent improvement, something that would render it fit to sustain a population after it had been rifled of its gold. In conclusion Br Irvine urged that the same principle which applied to goldfields, in that they should benefit by a large portion of their revenue, applied also to other outlying districts, but this, for the present, he should not urge, as a general measure would require special considerations, but he would be content with its application at present to the simpler and at the same time more urgent case of the goldfields.

Mr Luckic seconded the motion pro forma, not pledging himself either to vote for or against it. After a remark from Mr Hennelly, stating that, with a slight alteration the motion was all that was required to meet the views of the West Coast members, Mr Burn moved " That the debate be adjourned to this day six months." Mr Wastney seconded the motion, which was adopted.

Thuksbat, Mat 20. There was a full meeting of the Council this day. ESTIMATES WEST COAST. Mr Luckie moved, and Mr F. Kel. ling seconded, " That the Estimates be recommitted, in order to move that, on the item under the head ' Southwest G-oldfields,' ' Three "Wardens and Resident Magistrates, £1500,' the figures ' £lsoo' be struck out, and the figures • £1350 ' inserted." The Provincial Secretary hoped the motion would not be adopted. Motion, on division, rejected : ayes, 9; noes, 13.

RETJEEN WAITE'S PETITION. Mr Edwards moved, and Mr Donne seconded, " That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration the petition of Reuben Waite; such committee to consist of Mr Donne, Mr M'Dowell, Mr Burn, Mr Gibbs, the Provincial Secretary, Mr Parker, and the mover."

The Provincial Secretary said he really saw no ground for considering this petition ; he would not, however, object to the committee if the Council thought fit to appoint one. Motion, on division, rejected: ayes, 9 ; noes, 13. COMPENSATION TO MR LYNCH. Mr Burn moved, and Mr Donne seconded, " That Standing Orders be suspended, in order to permit him to move, • That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of

I £SO, as compensation to Mr Lynch for his dismissal from office.' " The motion, on division, was rejected. WEST COAST RESOLUTIONS. _ The Speaker ruled that the resolutions tabled by Mr Bonne, being of a similar character to those proposed last evening by Br Irvine, could not be again proposed. \

Feiday, May 20. member oftde executive fob the west coast. Mr Hennelly moved, "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to appoint a member of the Provincial Executive for the West Coast, who shall be a resident of that portion of the Proviuce, in order that the inhabitants of the South-west Goldfields may have a sufficient guarantee that moneys voted by this Council for public works and other departments of the South-west Goldfields will be equitably expended." He thought the resolution needed little said to show its reasonableness. Since the retirement of Mr Kynnersley the Government had been, properly speaking without a representative on the Southwest Goldfields. Separated as Nelson was from the West Coast by sea, it was most desirable some member of the Executive should be resident on the spot, who could act when necessary without incurring the loss of time which reference to Nelson involved. If the resolution were passed and acted upon, it would be a step towards extending justice to the West Coast.

Mr Bonne opposed the motion. The Provincial Secretary said it was a subject, which the Executive had already considered, and were again likely to consider, but he concluded by moving "the previous question," and the question was not put. The same resolution, in a somewhat different form, was to be brought forward on Tuesday T . FREEDOM OF DISCUSSION.

Br Irvine, on account of the abrupt termination to the discussion of the subject upon which he had spoken at length on the previous evening, moved a resolution complaining of the actiou taken in the matter by the Council. This, however, was lost, and an amendment carried to the effect that, " This Council, while willing at all times to enter with due deliberation on the discussion of any question before it affecting the welfare of any portion of rhc province, docs not wish to discountenance the occasional and legitimate resort to the power common to all deliberative bodies for the more summary disposal of questions of a speculative and unpractical character." Br Irvine asked the opinion of the Speaker as to the use made of the nineteenth Standing Order, in shelving his motion on Wednesday evening.

The Speaker said it was the first occasion on which the Stauding Order referred to had ever been so applied, nor did ho consider such an application of it was ever intended by the framers. Still the wording could be construed to have the meaning assigned to it. .After some further motious and discussions on matters of little or no interest to the West Coast, the Council adjourned until Tuesday evening at five o'clock.