PUBLIC MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 874, 14 October 1871, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting of a number of residents interested in the construction of a dray road between the Inangahua Junction and Beefton took place at the Post-office Hotel on Thursday evening, Mr Home in the chair. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been convened for the purpose of laying before the Assembly the advantages presented by the Inangahua route for the construction of a road ; and to strengthen the hands of their representative, Mr O'Conor, in urging the superior claims of this district for a line of road completing the communication with the Inangahua reefs. Mr Harrison, the Grey Valley member, had expressed his intention to move that that portion of the Middle Island Railway Fund, amounting to £25,000, which has accumulated for Nelson Province, be expended on making a road up the Grey Valley. The result of that proposition, if carried, would be to place Greymouth in communication with the Inangahua reefs by the Saddle route, and secure to that port the trade, to the prejudice of Westport, which presented greater natural advantages as an inlet and out-let to the reefs. He trusted that the meeting would consent to act unanimously in the matter; and, although unanimity was a quality not often exhibited in Westport, he believed that the resolutions to be proposed could scarcely fail to commend themselves to all. He then called upon the gentlemen who were prepared to speak to the various resolutions to address the meeting.

Mr Mtjnho stated that the first resolution had been placed in his hand shortly before the meeting opened, and it read as follows :—" That the action of Mr Harrison in inducing the Minister of Lands to propose an appropriation towards the immediate construction of a dray road from Reefton over the Grey Saddle, is calculated, if successful, to operate most prejudicially upon the interests of Westport by diverting from its natural course the traffic and business of the Inangahua mining districcs, and demands immediate counter-action on the part of the residents of Westport." It had been with him a pleasing duty to take part in any public matter in Westport, and he had used his endeavours, in conjunction with others in furthering various proposals calculated to benefit the place, although such efforts, he was sorry to say, had not met with the success they deserved. Any steps that they had taken to bring before the Superintendent of the Province the claims of the district had been without result, and the various resolutions, &c, had not been satisfied. The reply had invariably been that there were no funds available, which would have been an unanswerable ground for allowing necessary works to stand over, had it represented the true position of affairs. But they had always been under the impression that the Provincial Exchequer was sufficient; and that the opposition they had encountered was due solely to the Superintendent. He had said that the Nelson Provincial Government had constructed more than 700 miles of roads and tracks upon their Goldfields, and that a larger sum had been expended within their limits upon public works than had been contributed by them to the Provincial revenue. It was impossiblo for them to contravene these assertions without recourse to papers and data, but they could test the truth of what had been advanced by the practical results of Mr Curtis's administration. All he could say was that if the 700 miles of roads and tracks existed outside Mr Curtis's imagination they were not available for the beneficial use of the public; and they were therefore justified in the conclusion that the management of the Goldfields had been grossly mismanaged. If the Provincial Government had expended more upon them than had been received, the sooner Mr Curtis was relieved from the burden of administering their affairs the better it would be for himself and for the Goldfields. All their applications had met with the same response, " no money," or if there were any money, they were told that it was required for more important purposes. He believed that this utter disregard of their wishes was the cause of the public apathy into which the community had sunk. He for one had expressed a determination some time ago to interest himself no further in any public matter of a political or social character. His present action might be regarded as in contravention of that pledge ; but he considered that the altered circumstances of the case required that those who were interested in the district should come forward and use their efforts in assisting its progress. He regarded the policy of the Colonial Government in respect to the Goldfields as beneficial, and one that should be encouraged. (The speaker then read an extract from the financial statement of the Colonial Treasurer.) It has been decided to set aside a special annual provision for road boards throughout the colony, and on the Goldfields of the West Coast

they will be empowered to deal to a certain extent with the local revenue. The grant to road boards had been doubled, the vote last year having been £50,000, and was this year £100,000; and, with the funds which such bodies on these Goldfields would have at their command, they would undertake the functions which the Provincial Government had neglected to properly perform. This arrangement was more satisfactory to the oudlying districts of Provinces, and it was now worth while to bestir themselves to take the fullest advautago of their altered circumstances. Reverting the matter of the resolution, ho would strongly deprecate any impression that the steps they were about to take were in opposition to the efforts of the Grey resident. He did not consider that Mr Harrison was to be unfavourably thought of in consequence of the action he had thought fit to take. He was given to understand that he had induced the Minister of Public Works to apply any funds available of the iVelson share of the Middle Island Railway Fund to a road from the Upper Grey to the Inangahua. Such a proposition affected those in Westport very materially, and it behoved them to express an opinion as to the desirability of the proposed expenditure before the House arrived at any decision. Before they committed themselves to this proposal, involving an expenditure, he believed, of £20,000 to £25,000, it was desirable that members should be made aware of the facilities presented by the Buller and Inangahua route as a means of communication with the populous district included in the Inangahua Valley. The Buller river presented a grand natural highway, extending up the Inangahua river to a natural landing, a distauce of 40 miles, which could be traversed by laden cargo boats in the space of twelve hours, and from that point the country presented such extraordinary facilities for a dray road that the contractor for the transport! °f machinery to Reefton was, at the preseut time, incurring a moderate outlay, in order to admit of a dray laden with ponderous machinery to be drawn along the Inangahua Valley to Reefton. The opinion of engineers and the practical testimony afforded by the instance just quoted were convincing proof that the Inangahua Valley was the natural route for a dray road, that it involved less expense for construction: and, when completed, would present the greater facilities for the cheap and rapid transport of provisions and machinery to the population of that district. He had no objection to the Grey Valley member getting whatever money he could for improved communication with Greymouth, but he should desire the Colonial Government to be made acquainted with the fact that Westport was the natural basis of supply, in order that the Government might supplement the Westport district with a similar sum. They were not in opposition to Greymouth, but sought to obtain an expenditure of £SOOO, which, he understood, was amply sufficient for a dray road from the Inangahua lauding to Reefton. The Westport people had nut held meetings, affirming the advantages of the Inangahua route, to contravene the assertions of the Greymouth residents, that the Saddle route presented superior facilities. Such a course was unnecessary, as the forme.- route must commend itself to any unprejudiced person. He believed, that Westport possessed such facilities that, if even the Grey obtained all she desired,the former would derive the chief advantages from the Inangahua route. But it was desirable that the Government should be made acquainted withjthe more advantageous mode in which the large expenditure proposed might be applied; and it was their duty to alleviate the hard con ditions under which mining operations in the Inangahua district were at present carried on in consequence of the fabulous price of provisions. Members could scarcely fail to consider favourably the prayer of the petition which it was proposed to forward to the House of Representatives. He had much pleasure in moving the first resolution, (applause). Mr Fisher in a few remarks seconded the motion. He stated that the present movement forcibly reminded him of a meeting with a similar object held some twelve months ago to urge upon the Provincial 1 Government and authorities the desirability of opening up the Inangahua district by meana of a facile goods and passenger communication. The result of those endeavours was best shewn by the necessity that had arisen for the present meetiug. The fact of Mr Harrison having taken the steps he had, was right iu the interests of his constituents; but, it was also the duty of the Government to s.ee that the colonial funds were expended in the most judicious and economical manner. Any person investigating the two routes must arrive at the conclusion that the Buller river is the natural inlet and outlet of the Inangahua Valley. He himself, while on a journey to the Inangahua landing, was forcibly struck with the facilities of communication presented by the navigation of the Buller. The Grey people have avoided all reference to these advantages, and the extraordinary facilities presented by the Inangahua Valley for a road from the Landing to Reefton, in their endeavours to show that tho Grey Valley is the natural route. Their assertions have never been contradicted. Wo have laughed in our sleeve at the blind rejection of our

superior advantages; but quietly chuckling at their absurd pretensions will not help us. It is possible that by the possession of such a means of communication as may be afforded by an expenditure of £20,000 ho £25,000 upon a dray road connecting the land with the water carriage, the longer and more circuitous route by the Grey Valley may be made practically more advantageous for a goods and passenger traffic. We must now keep before the Government the fact that tlio Inangahua route possesses the greater natural advantages, and that a road possess'ng the advantage of more cheaply supplying necessaries to the miners of the Inangahua, can be constructed from the Inangahua Landing at one-third of the cost of a road by the Grey Valley. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr Pitt moved the second resolution, which was as follow.-: —" That this meeting being of opinion that the representations made to the Minister of Lands, have pointed to the Grey as the natural outlet for the Inangahua district to the entire exclusion of the natural claims and advantages presented by the Inangahua Valley and Buller river route, resolves that a petition in the terms following: be adopted, and, upon signature, be forwarded to Mr E. J. O'Conor, M.H.R., for presentation to the House of Assembly; and that his Honor the Superintendent, and Messrs Shepherd, Collins, Lightband, and Parker are requested to cooperate in support of its prayer." It is very desirable that this petition should be signed and forwarded to Mr O'Conor, our member, at the earliest moment for presentation to the House of Representatives. An application for a direct money grant would not, I believe, be received, and, therefore, the alternative course has been adopted asking the Government, before arriving at anf decision to ao'">oint an engineer to report upon the respective merits of the two routes, and to act upon that report. By this course we have nothing to fear, as he would at ouce detect the manifest preponderating advantages of the Inangahua Valley route. It is not necessary for me to recommend the petition. I concur with the previous speakers in not wishing that our action should be considered as antagonistic to the Grey. I should like to see half a dozen roads connecting Greymouth with her outlying districts, always providing that our claims are not overlooked, and that we have a road at the same time. I also agree with Mr Munro that our claims, by reason of the possession of superior natural advantages, are incomparably greater, still it is undesirable that Westport should be left out iu the cold ; and it is by virtue of those undoubted facilities for road communication with Reeftou, that I insist upon our claims being first considered. I am sure that the Grey people should feel grateful to their member for his efforts in their behalf in the Assembly, and the conductors of the " Grey River Argus" are deeply indebted to his pen for the various articles treating on the subject. We gather from that paper that he has presented to the Minister of Lands a picture forcibly placing the advantages of a road through the Grey Valley, and over the Saddle, in the foreground. The Minister has said " very well, here are £25,000, we will furnish a road." It has not occurred to Mr Harrison to inform the Minister that there is another route possessing advantages infinitely superior. But it is our duty to show this, and to place our members in a position to ask the House to institute the necessary inquiries which must show that there is a route which will compare favourably with that via the Grey Valley and Saddle. Engineers have already proved this to demonstration. I may add, that there is already a track along this route, but the Grey people naturally prefer a road, since it is only by overcoming the great natural difficulties which at present exclude them from commanding the Inangahua traffic, that they hope to successfully compete with Westport. Approximately I have ascertained that from the Grey Junction, where the land carriage commences, a road by the Saddle to the Inangahua river will cost about £20,000. This road is twenty miles in length, and there is yet a distance of ten miles to be traversed before reaching the reefs. This road is level in places, but would require frequent heavy cuttings, while the soil is of a heavy character, and encumbered with heavy timber. The Grey people propose to adopt a second route by Antonio's track, which would reduce the distance a few miles, and this route it is estimated would cost £15,000 to £20,000. I now come to the advantages possessed by a route from the Inangahua Junction to Reefton. This road, twenty-four miles in length, at a very liberal calculation, is estimated to cost £BOOO to £9,000. There are no engineering difficulties whatever, as the road can be carried along country free from floods, and the entire course is over a natural bed of gravel. If carried out, with the advantages already possessed in the cheap transport of provisions to the Junction by means of large cargo boats, and with the assistance of the track formed by the Buller Towing Track Company, the necessaries of life could be supplied at a very reasonable figure to the consumers in that district. It is unnecessary for me to dwell on the question. I think you will ngree that the resolution is sound in its premises, and the petition expresses facts

shortly but sufficiently. If the Government were to construct the Grey Valley road to the entire exelusiiN of this district, they would be guilty of an iniquitous job. All we ask is that we may be placed in a position to compete for the Inangahua trade upon equal terms. Mb White in a few remark*, which were well received, seconded the resolution. Mr Cobb expressed a hope that the petition would be numerously signed, and th?t it might meet with the success that was desired. Mr Bailie quite agreed with the tenor of both resolutions. It was indisputable that the Buller river formed the natural outlet of the Inangahua district, and that it was superior to any river on the West Coast both as regards its navigable facilities and the entrance of the river. Vessels of larger tonnage could trade with Westport than with any other port on the West Coast, and owing to the sheltered position of the harbour it could be entered in weather that would not admit of other ports being entered. There was one feature in connection with a road through the Inangahua Valley which had not been touched upon, and that was, its opening up a very large agricultural district. It would undoubtedly be the means of facilitating the settlement of the country. Farming settlements would spiing up side by side with gold mining as at Sandhurst or Pleasant Creek in Victoria, and to secure this object should form a very important recommendation to the construction of the road. Personally, he was very deeply interested in the subject under discussion. The diggings on the seaboard were languishing, and it was to the internal districts they must look for renewed and continuous prosperity. With respect to the value of the Inangahua Goldfield, as far as he could judge at present, he believed, it would turn out second to no goldfield in New Zealand. He had visited the reefs, and he had seen many reefs in Victoria, and he would repeat his belief that, according to present indications, they would prove equal in productiveness to any reefs he had ever seen. He would gladly lend all the assistance he could in procuring signatures. (Hear, hear). After several suggestions thrown out by gentlemen present had been approved, the resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.