The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 881, 31 October 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1871.

A copt of the " Greymouth District Separation Act, 1571," which is the short title of the proposed Annexation Bill, was published in the *' West Coast Times" of the 20th instant. It is divided into five parts. The first, or preliminary part, cuts off from Westland andadds to Nelsonthedistrict north of the Teretnakau river, and vests all the authority at present wielded by the County Chairman over that district in the hands of the Nelson Superintendent. Part two provides that the present members representing the electoral districts of Q-reymouth and Paroa in the County Council shall represent the annexed districts in the Nelson Provincial Council as soon as the proclamation has been made by the Governor naming a day for the Act to be brought into operation. Part three is devoted to the apportionment of the existing Westland debt, and the liquidation of liabilities in connection with that portion of the County which it is proposed to annex to Nelson. All debts and liabilities exclusively changeable against the Grey and Paroa districts are to be defrayed by the Nelson Province ; and all debts and liabilities, including Wesland's proportionate share of the public debts or loans specified in the schedule to ." The Canterbury and Westland Public Debt Apportionment Act, 1868," which are chargeable against the entire County are to to be apportioned between the County of Westland and the Province of Nelson. The apportionment is to be carried out by two arbitrators and an umpire. The Superintendent of Nelson and the County Chairman each have the power of nominating an arbitrator, and in the event of one or both failing to do so the Governor may appoint one or both arbitrators. The Bill provides that the arbitrators shall appoint an umpire, and failing to do so ho shall bo appointed by the Governor. In the event of the arbitrators failing within a period hereafter to be fixed to give in their award, the umpire may make his award. The award of the arbitrators or umpire is to be final and conclusive. The remaining clauses of Part 111 make provision for the examination of witnesses upon oath, the infliction of a fine not exceeding £SO in the event of any party refusing to appear when summoned or to give evidence, and for the payment of all necessary expenses to witnesses and others. Part IV. simply provides this newly constituted portion of Nelson with a Waste Lands Board. Part V relates to the remaining portion of the County of Westland. It provides for the equalisation of the representation by the election of members upon some day in Dscomber next for certain districts to be named, and the County Chairman shall continue his office until the i meeting of the County Council, to be held in January next, when the present Chairman may be re-elected. The person then elected is to continue in office until December, 1-872, when the Chairman, and all members of the Council will vacate office.