The Westport Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1872

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 959, 5 April 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1872

The Provincial Council of the Province meets at Nelson on Tuesday, the 30th instant, when all the West Coast representatives are expected to be present. There are many matter a affecting the coustituencies on the Coast which require attention during the present session. To this district's requirements at 'the hands of its representatives and of the public will our remarks here be confined. In former years, owing to the entire irresponsibility of the Executive, and the disproportion in the representation, little was expected from any single member in the Council chambers. Affairs are different now. The five members from the Coast number strong among the fourteen from the other districts, and with united exertions Coast interests may be made to command greater attention. There are several matters in relation to Westport and Eeefton requiring most careful consideration during the present session. There will be some action expected to be taken in respect to the formation of Eoad Boards. Additional representation will be looked for from the Eeefton district. The matters of roads, tramways, and river protection are subjects for inquiry on the part of our representatives before taking their seats. The recently discovered coals at the Ngakawaho should also command their observance, and means should be devised whereby to assist lessees or otherwise to forward the development of this valuable enterprise. The subsidising of a suitable boat for the Coast ports and the deepening of certain portions of the river and improviug the river navigation, are all matters requiring immediate action to be taken upon them. Many minor questions affecting the town, such as drainage, street improvements, reserves, wharves, and protections, are deserving of deliberation at the forthcoming meeting. It should be borne in mind that there is every probability of there being a large increase to the Provincial revenue from this district before the Council will again meot, and now is the session to cope with the works most likely to enhance the exchequer and benefit the entire province. Those represented should urge upon the members previous to their departure the necessity for these works receiving their careful consideration. Fortunately all the West Coast members are acquainted with the outlines of our requirements, and all that is wanted to ensure the district's advancement is a more liberal and energetic policy oh the part of our Provincial Government. The Executive cannot be indifferent to the growing importance of the district, and the representatives this session must be urged upon to direct the attention of the Council to the wealth which is about to be opened by the ranges of reefs in our midst. The public in this district must become alive to their own interests, and assist, by what information or other means they possess, the exertions of those who have a voice in the management of the affairs of the Province. No greater evil can befall an outlying district like ours, than the growth among the people of a spirit of indifference to public affairs. As the people are, so will be their rulers. If the people are heedless and negligent, the Government will speedily become careless also, and abuses will grow ' like hydra's heads ' on all sides. The best security for good government and for the watchfulness of our representatives lies in an habitual watch kept by the people, so that our Councils and Exccutivej may deliberate and act

under an ever-present consciousness that for everything they do or leave undone they will be held accountable at the bar of a well-informed and enlightened opinion.