MR. CURTIS'S MEETING AT REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 931, 24 February 1872, Page 2

MR. CURTIS'S MEETING AT REEFTON.

On Tuesday evening about three hundred persons assembled in and about the large room, Eyan's Hotel. His Honor the Superintendent, at the request of a deputation, attended. Mr O'Conor was voted to the chair. The Chairman, in a few preliminary remarks, pointed out that it should be the object of the meeting to direct the attention of his Honor to the principal requirements of the locality, and generally to promote a proper understanding between the Provincial Government and the inhabitants of this part of the province. He was glad to see the Superintendent amongst them. He then introduced His Honor to the meeting, hoping much good would result from his visit.

His Honor said that he fully recognised the importance of the Inangahua district, for on all sides he saw promise of future greatness, both in its mineral and agricultural resources, which were second to none in the colony. He hoped that the inhabitants would not entirely depend upon the Government for everything. The Provincial Government could not do much with their present curtailed revenue. He desired to see the Governmont assisting not obstructing, and the people themselves must put their shoulder to the wheel. It had been stated in the newspapers and elsewhere that while the great bulk of the revenue was derived from the goldfields the settled districts enjoyed the greater share of the expenditure. In reply he informed the meeting that while £190,000 had been received from the goldfields £260,000 had been expended, not in expensive dray roads, but in tracks. He allowed that money had been thrown away by making roads in improper places, but as against that it -Should be remembered that many of those roads were made on the spur of the moment. The Provincial management was contrasted with the management of Westland, but the con trast would no doubt prove favorable to Nelson, since so large a portion of Westlaud wished to be annexed to Nelson. As to placing the goldfields under General Government management, it should be considered that at present they had a voice in the management of their affairs through their members in the Provincial Council, but under the General Government they would have none, be handed over entirely to officials and redtape, and so far from having all the revenue respent in public works it would be eaten up by the officials with whom they would be overrun. The General Assembly could not spare the time to discuss or enter into details as to expenditure, and they would find themselves out of the frying-pan into the fire. He desired to see lload Boards and Municipalities for local management, without Lord Mayors and the other and expensive concomitants of some municipalities. The requirement was for local boards of works, such as that in existence at Nelson, which was both inexpensive and effective. He saw many difficulties in establishing road boards on the goldfields particularly

in the way of taxation, recognising that miners were already heavily and especially taxed. He disapproved of miniug boards as calculated to increase the confusion which already prevailed owing to the diversity of mining regulations which wore already in force. He disapproved of the.protective laws which had been passod last session ; he could not agree with protection to farmers when that meant raising the cost of bread throughout the land. Ho hoped to hear au unfettered opiniou from the miners he came there that evening to meet j and although no doubt there would be points of difference between them, he hoped they would agree upon important matters. At any rate he came to see and learn, with the view of being guided afterwards by what came within his observation.

Mr Crampton addressed the meeting at considerable length upon the leasing question, suggesting that it would be an improvement if half the regular number of men were allowed to work claims until gold was struck. To this his Honor assented. Mr Drury asked his Honor several questions relative to the expenditure of the road board money, which he said had been entirely appropriated and for the greater part misspent by the settled districts. He also touched upon several other subjects of local and general importance. Mr M'Lean addressed some observations to the meeting in favor of the leasing system, Irom which it would be shown that leasing was advantageous if properly guarded. He also spoke of the want of roads or tracks, and'urged his Honor to prolong his stay and visit reefs. In reply to Mr M'Lean, his Honor stated that he had undertaken to assist in making the track to Black's Point, but that he could not possibly visit the reefs on this occasion. Mr Siuamon spoke of his experience as a digger here and elsewhere, during, which he was frequently interrupted. He terminated with an appeal in favor of the leaseholders, and explained that he held interest in several leases himself. Mr W. Pox suggested that the business sites were too small, and that some provisions should be made to keep the houses apart as a precaution against fire. Mr Donovan, in a highly amusing speech, severely satirised the Provincial management. In a most humourous manner he alluded to the roundabout manner in which the business of the country was done, stating his belief that the digger had to pay for all, and that future Chancellors of New Zealand should be seated not on the woolsack but on a digger.

Some discussion then ensued as to the situation of the township, and the proposed change in the site, when, in order to test the meeting. Mr M'Lean proposed—" That the present township be extended, instead of a new site for the township being surveyed and sold." The Chairman declared the resolution carried unanimously. Mr Drury then proposed a vote of confidence in the Superintendent, which was withdrawn at his Honor's desire.

Mr Crampton then proposed, " That this meeting is of opinion that his Honor the Superintendent deserves the thanks of the miners and others of this district for his attendance here this evening, as also for the very satisfactory statement of his views as to the future administration of the Provincial Executive of the goldfields," which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.