MR FOX'S VISIT TO WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 922, 3 February 1872, Page 2

MR FOX'S VISIT TO WESTPORT.

PUBLIC MEETING

A meeting of persons interested in the approaching visit of the Hon Mr Fox, Premier of New Zealand, took place at the Empire Hotel yesterday afternoon, and was well attended.

Mr "VVuyte having been voted to the chair, briefly stated the object of the meeting. He believed that all present would heartily co-operate in giving their visitor a suitable reception.

Mr Muneo then rose to move the first resolution. He adverted to the favorable opportunity afforded by the promised visit of the hon. the Premier to lay before him the present condition of the Province, its future prospects, and the unsatisfactory relations subsisting between the Nelson Provincial Government and the Goldfields within the boundaries of the province. Kepeated appeals had been made by the inhabitants to the Nelson Government, and they were well aware, without the slightest beneficial effect. Mr Curtis at public meetings on the Goldfields, in Nelson, and latterly in the House of Eepresentatives had stated that the expenditure ou the Goldfields had exece led the revenue derived from them. They were not in a position to contradict the statement, and must therefore accept it as a true exposition of their financial relations. But, it was at least equally incontrovertible that a very large, an immense, a shameful amount of money had been available for expenditure, and there was no single work of public utility on the Goldfields to show for it. They were aware that although the present Government at the outset were favorable to the maintenance of Provincialism, they were now opposed to it in its existing form. Already the financial relations between the Provinces and the Colonial Government had been considerably modified, and he believed such further modifications would take place as would enable >the General Government to absorbthe more important functions performed by the provinces and deal with them, leaving matters of purely local concern to be administered by local bodies. That was the character of the alteration they sought. Eveu now there was a large goldfield revenue accruing to the Province which, if judiciously expended, would be the means of opening up the rich districts of Inangalma, Lyell, and other localities; new fields would be I opened for labour ; the revenue of the

colony would be increased; and the ' condition of all classes would be improved. The speaker continued his remarks at some length, and then proposed/'Thatthiameetingisdeßiroußthat a suitable reception should be given to the Hon W. t'ox, Premier of New Zealand, and that advantage should be taken of his intended visit to represent to him the present condition of the Provincial administration of the Nelson South-West Gold ]?ields, with the view to obtain some rearess from the Colonial Government, and assistance to carry out certain public works necessary to the well-being of the j district."

Mr Fisiieb had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He fully endorsed what had fallen from Mr Munro. It was only necessary to look around them to discover on every side proofs of the neglect they had received at the hands of the present Government. The condition of things in Westport, their wharves dilapidated, their thoroughfares and buildings washed away by floods, the disrepair of their streets, bore testimony to the misrule of Nelson. He believed that it was their policy to bleed the Gold Fields as far as possible, and as the workings penetrated the interior to make roads and railways to communicate with them from Nelson, and if possible to sever all communication between the western seaboard and the mines. He believed that, if tliey could by neglect deprive the West Coast of their profitable connection with the rising districts at Inangahua and Lyeil, they would use their best efforts to accomplish it. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

It was then moved, seconded and

carried, that the following gentlemen form a deputation to wait upon the Hon the Premier :—Messrs O'Coaor, Fisher, Thorpe, F;'lla, Whyte, Graves, Munro, Kerr, Oorr, Humphrey, Munson, Draghicavich, Hughes, Field, Patterson, Gilmer, Eowlands, Neil, Brown, Eraser, and Levatlo. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chair, and the meeting terminated.