DR GILES'S REPORT ON THE BULLER DISTRICT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 515, 10 June 1869, Page 2

DR GILES'S REPORT ON THE BULLER DISTRICT.

We conclude our quotations from the recently printed report by the Warden of this district. The two subjects referred to are the Westport Hospital, and the Separation movement, which is classified as "political." Of the Hospital Dr Giles says that it " constitutes one of the prominent features of the progress of Westport during the past year," and, as the funds are now nearly exhausted, he hopes the committee will again meet with such success iu obtaining subscriptions as will enable the public to retain a share in its management. The following arc Dr Giles's remarks on the Separation movement—remarks which, we should state, are dated the 3rd of April last: — It seems not out of place in a report of this sort to say a word upon the causes and character of the agitation which has recently been set on foot in Westport for the purpose of forming this district into a county. With regard to its causes, it may be said, iu a word, that the movement has been caused by the stoppage of public works during the past year, and by the failure to obtain any public money for the protection of the river banks at Westport. Had the Government been in a position to expend the sums voted by the Council and placed on the Estimates for the year, I do not think the separation movement would have beeu heard of yet, uor do I think that the public feeling in the matter, so far as it is genuine aud spoutaueous, has gone much beyond a desire to provide for the safety of the river banks, and the construction of tracks. Scarcely more than one person has taken the trouble to

acquire definite information upon the subject, and the people generally have shown the state of mind iu relation to it which disposed them to follow without question any one who assured them that he was in possession of facts and figures to prove his statements. With regard to the manner in which tbe objects of the movement are being carried out, the difficulty to which I once before alluded iu remarking upon this subject is still apparent—l mean that of fixing the limits of the proposed county. The wish to include the country as far south as the Grey, and the "fear that the people of that district would not consent to such a sten, have had a paralysing effect upon the conduct of the promoters, and the people of Westport have not yet been able to dec!are what are the limits of the county which they wish to form. Upon the whole, it appears very probable that the strength of this movement may be materially influenced by the votes of the Provincial Council in the passing of Estimates in the ensuing session. An account of the political condition of the district would not be complete, without stating that whereas the present electoral roll for the district of Westlaud North contains only ninety-four names, upwards of 000 now claims to vote have been lodged for insertion in the new roll.