The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 869, 3 October 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1871.

It will be recollected tliatamoug other features of the policy of last session was, that of introducing the subsidising of JRoard Boards thoroughout the colony. For that purpose £50,000 was voted by the Assembly aud paid over to various outlying districts of Provinces. We are not in the possession of the exact figures representing the extent to which the various Provinces in this sum of money, but participated it was nearly in the following porportion : Auckland, £12,000; Taranaki, £1000; Wellington, £5000; Hawke's Bay, £I2OO ; Nelson, £4800; Marlborough, £950; Canterbury, £BOOO ; Westland, £2700 ; Otago, 14,000. It is now proproposed to increase the amount from £50,000 to £IOO,OOO The Colonial Treasurer, referring to the subject -said : —So vastly important to the promotion of settlement has that expenditure been proved, that the Government have come to the conclusion that, as a matter of economy—as a matter of investment yielding a direct return —it is desirable the subsidies should be continued and increased. We think, that the purposes on which the money is to be expended are directly connected with the colonization aud

settlement of the country. Moreover, they are of a nature calculated to make the railway and other public works' expenditure productive, by increasing the means of communication between different parts of the country. This payment is to form an annual permanent charge under the Public Works Loan. If the same proportion is observed in dealing with thelarge r sum of £IOO,OOO, the existing Road Boards in this Province will receive for the ensuing year about £9600 tor local expenditure. The Goldfields, as a matter of course, in no way participate in this acession to the provincial revenue, although, the relief afforded to the settled districts of Nelson should have enabled a corresponding sum to become available for the West Coast , thus indirectly benefiting the goldfields. Such, however, has not proved to be the case, and in view of the proposed reduction in the capitation allowance, the funds available for goldfields expenditure shew no likelihood of being increased. But there remains the course open to us to take theWcessary steps for the inauguration of the Itoad Boards system on these Goldfields, which would at once qualify us to participate iu the annual grant distributed to the outlying districts.