The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 809, 4 May 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1871.

The reference to the question of annexation of the northern portion of Westland, contained in his Honour's address at the opening of the Council, does not bear out the telegram which announced that the Superintendent had expressed himself favourably in regard to the proposed alteration of the existing boundaries of Nelson and Westland. The address states only that a certain petition had been presented to the House of Representatives praying for annexation to Nelson which was signed by a number of the inhabitants, and that enquiry had been made into the proposal by Mr Hodgson whose report would be placed before the Council, but no opinion is expressed even as to the character of the report, whether it is favourable or the contrary ; and it would be difficult to construe a mere formal reference to certain facta into an expression of approval of the scheme. His Honour concludes: will be desirable that you should express your opinion upon the question, for the guidance of the Legislature, as it appears to me that the junction of two heretofore separate communities, under one Government, can only be expedient when sanctioned by the approval of each, or by that of their elected representatives " Thus the consideration of the advisability of furthering the prayer of the petition by endorsing the movement is left entirely with the Council. A. select committee has been appoiuted to consider the proposal which includes three goldfields' members —Messrs O'Cenor, Donne, and Wilkie. The chief ground set forth in the petition is the inconvenience arising to a mining population

out of tlio existing boundary, the Grey river dividing au extensive and thickly populated goldfield which, if placed u:ider one government, would admit of moro economic administration, and effect a very important saving to miners in doing away with tbo necessity of separate miners' rights to enable the holder to work ground in each of these two divisions of the Colony. With regard to the savings in the publicserviee,it is doubtful whether any important reduction could bo made, it certainly could not in the Nelson portion of tho goldfields where the administration is conducted as inexpensively as is consistent with efficiency ; any saving, therefore, if effected at all, must be in connection with the Westland portion of the Grey District. The question of removing from the miner the burden of being obliged to obtain a second miner's right whenever ho removes to ground situated on either side of the Grey lliver is certainly one of importance, but we fail to understand that annexation would effect this so completely as would be desirable or as is even possible. Extending existing boundaries, although it would remove the evil for a certain portion of the mining community, could certainly not benefit the miners south of the Teremakau, which it is proposed to make the southern boundary of Nelson. The latter could then with equal reason complain of the inconvenience arising to those engaged in working at each side of that river, and as a means of redress might petition either that the whole of Westland be annexed to Nelson, or the entire goldfields of the West Coast be constituted a county or province. The matter, however, admits of easy remedy without entering upon the question of boundaries o»* causing any large reduction in the goldfields revenues of the various provinces. It was suggested by a candidate at a recent Buller election to remedy the miner's right grievance by making one right available for the eutire Colony, subject to the holder registering the right in any division of the Colony iu which it might be used other than the Province in which it was issued. It would thus become a mere matter of adjustment of accounts between the Provinces. Por example, assuming that six mouths of an annual miner's right had expired, and that the right had been issued in Westland, on entering the Nelson Province the holder could register at any Warden's office, and Westland would then be dobittd with ten shillings;. Supposing th e holder to remain three months iu this province and then to proceed to Auckland, a similar process would be gone through, resulting in the Nelson Province being debited with five shillings. Eogistration might be performed without fee as the various Provinces only are benefited, but to ensure its due performance on tho part of the holder, registration could be made necessary in order to exercise tho privileges conveyed by the right in any other Province than that in which it was issue . It has been intimated that an Act is to be introduced by the Assembly to amend and consolidate the Goldfields Regulations, and such an amendment as above referred to would be found to work well, and would give yery general satisfaction. Wo have endeavoured to show that any alteration in the existing boundaries of the Province would neither conduce to the more economic or officient management of the Goldfields, nor deal with the inconvenience under which the mining population labour in a thoroughly comprehensive manner. There are, however, other and very forcible reasons that -\ may be advauced agaiust the policy of annexation. If Nelson absorb a large portion of the County of Westland, she must be prepared to take over a corresponding share of the County debt. That share has been estimated at £GO,GOO. So far as may be gathered also from the Greymouth press, that portion of the County has been greatly neglected in the matter of public works, and if this be correct, Nelson would be expected to repay the doubtful advantage of this accession to her territory with'a very liberal expenditure upon public works. Even in the matter of improper distribution of the County Revenue, it is doubtful whether the Grey District has just grounds of complaint. Twelve months ago, on the occasion of annexation being agitated, an abstract of accounts was published by the Government, showing the expenditure for that year in the Grey District and tho revenue it contributed. According to that

statement it appeared that the expenditure had exceeded considerably tho revenue. Tho chargo of neglect and unfair distribution of the revenue would seem, therefore, to have belonged rather to South Westland than to Greymouth. It must also bo added that the substitution of a capitation allowance by Mio General Government for the moiety of the Consolidated Revenue formerly paid to the provinces, has brought about a considerable difference between the state of affairs at present, and their condition last year. Westland has lost considerably by the chang , and equally so the Grey district This must tend to;reduce very considerably the value of tho territory it is proposed to annex. This latter consideration together with the large debt vt liich would bo apportioned suffice to condemn as unadvisablo the policy of our annexing the district south of the Grey Eiver to the Province of Nelson.