ROAD AGITATION IN THE GREY DISTRICT OF NELSON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 847, 8 August 1871, Page 2

ROAD AGITATION IN THE GREY DISTRICT OF NELSON.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of Red Jack's creek Was held at the European Hotel, Red Jack's, on 29th July, to take into consideration the urgent requirements of the district with respect to tracks, and to memorialise' the Superintendent of the Province of Nelson on the subject. Mr W. Corbett was called to the chair. Mr T. H. Sullivan explained the objects of the meeting, and said that a crisis had now arrived when immediate action was necessary-, if the inhabitants of the Red Jack's district did not intend to allow themselves to be buried alive, without making at least an effort to save themselves. The district was as important, and contributed as much to the revenue at any other on the South-West Gold Fields in proportion to its population, and not one shilling had been expended on public works of any description in it for years'. The people of Red Jack's' were expected to contribute their share of the revenue in the shape of miner's rights, business and publicans' licenses, &c, and they were also expected to risk their lives in getting to the office of the receiver of the'revenue, at Caniptown, to pay their money in. No person representing, or connected with the Government ever "came among them, except m the character of tax-gatherer, and it was almost time the present state of 'affairs was altered. The memorial they were about getting up would, at all events, be a protest against the neglect with which *ho district was treated by the Government. Mr Sullivan then went into statistics to show the disproportionate share of mOney 3pent in the Red Jack's district in comparison to the revenue raised in it for the last five years, and resumed his seat amidst loud applause. A committee was then formed to draw up the address.

The Governor before his departure for Wellington, sent, the Superintendent £2O; for Auckland charities.