The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 816, 23 May 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1871.

Thk opposition to the proposal to constitute W estport a municipality, as demonstrated on Friday evening, was due rather to ignorance of the position in which settlers on the Crown Land would be placed under a municipality, than to distrust of the applicability of this institution to Westpoet. Over and above that, there was an i. v dent feeling among the more ignorant and bigoted that it had pleased some few gentlemen to initiate the movement with the view of personal aggrandisement or to improve the condition of some needy acquaintance rather than to serve the interests of the public. With the laudable intention of demonstrating their watchfulness and the acumen with which they penetrated the design of the promoters of the scheme, the Opposition loudly affirmed that municipal institutions were not desirable, and that, experience had proved that the sums disbursed by municipalities in official expenditure bear an undne proportion to the sums allotted to public works. Assuming even that this view of the matter were in accordance with facts, it would only show that municipal councils were not infallible, that in some instances the public had not selected the best men to represent them, and that as a result the money was squandered in unnecessarily high salaries and in the employment of too largo a staff. It would be too much to expect that from the twenty odd municipalities in the Colony, no instance could be cited of mismanagement ; at the same time, it is open to us to avoid the errors of our neighbours, and to miintain our civic dignity without prejudice to the working of the institution. It is very certain that numerous little goldmining and agricultural communities, enjoying but a moiety of the revenue which would accrue to a municipality here, manage to effect much good. Their streets are better lit, better paved, and drained ■, their bridges, punts, and ferries aro kept in better order and repair than is the case with us; their libraries and reading-rooms are better attended and more liberally enendowed; their sick and indigont are not less carefully tended, and much individual distress is relieved which in a community like ours escapes notice. Nuisances are speedily removed, and means are found

to check the more grosa offences against public morality and decency. Baths and places of public recreation are provided* and no effort is spared to improve the general condition of the community by ensuring habits of cleanliness and order. The benefits conferred by municipal institutions would justify a moderate taxation in addition to that already paid, but additional taxation is not required. On the contrary, the poorer classes, who formed the majority -of the opposition on Friday evening, would participate in these advantages, and to them the taxation would be lighter than at present. A very erroneous impression has been circulated, to the effect that if a municipality were constituted, holders of Crown lands within its boundaries would be compelled to renew their business licenses. Such is not the case, and in place of many holders of sections on the Coal Quay or other Reserves having to pay an annual taxation of five, six, or eight pounds, it would be reduced in many instances to thirty or forty shillings. In favoured positions, the taxation would be higher; householders in Glad-stone-street and Kennedy-street would probably not get off so lightly as at present; and such would be the case with the occupants of freeholds, who for the past few years have enjoyed immunity from taxation. The idea has also obtained that a Council would be empowered to levy an excessive rate. Such is not the cast, it being expressly provided by the Act that no higher annual rate shall be struck than Is in the pound j and provision is'also made for the equitable valuation of properties. The sum contributed in business licenses by that portion of the Buller District which would be comprised in a municipality, amounts to .£1250 annually. A corresponding sum derived from rates, without increasing the general taxation, would furnish a sum sufficient to effect very considerable benefits. Assuredly, if municipal institutions can be made to operate economically and beneficially in such townships as Clyde Queenstown, Milton, Cromwell, Lawrence, and a host of others, we need not hesitate to adopt a similar institution.