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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 819, 1 June 1871, Page 2

The Nelson correspondent of the " Charleston Herald" refers in the follewing terms to the vote for £ISOO, to be expended in the formation of a towing track up the Bulier river: " The item was approved of on the voices, but in a very ' thin House,' to which it was somewhat hastily put, and I fear furthor and closer enquiry will require to be made before the Executive venture upon its expenditure. Had such preliminary enquiry been made, even a larger amount might have been passed, but as it is, there is—on the part of the Executive, at least—very much of tint kind of approval which the Americans briefly describe as "bogus." If the writer means that under " bogus " approval the Executive, while supporting the motion, had not the slightest intention of carrying out the expressed wish of the Council, it would have been fitting that a charge, reflecting ao greatly upon the political honesty of its members, had been more distinctly expressed. . The writer would appear to imply a doubt as to the advisability of this expenditure, and that this doubt would have been shared by the Council, but for the fact of the 1 resolution having been w put hastily," and to a "thin House." We are unable to

state whether there was a thm attendance of members or otherwise; but there is no evidence of haste in passing the motion. The facts are entirely the other way, tho notice of motion having been tabled in the customary manner, and the debate on the first motion adjourned, an additional opportunity wag thus afforded to members, if they deemed it desirable, to oppose the measure. The desirability of improving flic navigation of the Bullcr river is obvious, and the work has been declared practicable with a moderate outlay by very competent judges. Already considerable quantities of machinery have arrived for transport to the reefs, and by means of this proposed expenditure the cost of carriage of machinery and supplies to the populous up-river districts will be reduced. No better means could have been devised to increase the population and settle the country, yet the writer in the " Herald" suggests a fear that a closer inquiry will be necessary before the Executive venture upon its expenditure. The handling of the Eubject is scarcely conformable with Mr Keid's position as oue of the Builer members and a guardian of our interests.