MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 987, 16 July 1872, Page 2

MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE.

In pursuance of a notice signed by several electors, a meeting was convened on Friday evening last, for the purpose of discussing the necessity of appealing to the General Government for the separation of the South-west Goldfields from the Nelson Province, and to discuss other matters affecting the welfare of the town and district. Mr Humphrey was called to the Chair, and, in introducing the business of the evening, expressed a hope that a matter so vitally affecting the interests of every member of the community would be discussed properly, and in the fair and impartial manner it deserved. He called upon Mr O'Conor to propose the first resolution. The resolution submitted by Mr O'Conor, was as follows : " That"the policy of the Nelson Provincial Government, in the management of the South West Goldfields, has been from the very commencement, an obstructive and grasping policy, and that in order to promote the mutual prosperity of the West South West. Goldfields (proper) it is absolutely necessary to withdraw those Goldfields from the control of the Nelson Provincial Government, and to constitute thereon such form of local self Government as will secure a more equitable and advantageous administration of the public revenue, and of the Waste Lands of the Crown."

Mr O'Cosou, in speaking to the resolution, referred to the gross mismanagement of the Goldfields by the Nelson Government; the waste of public money in the partial commencement of public works, and the after neglect to keep even such works in efficient repair ; the complaints of the inhabitants even of the Nelson (proper) districts, as to the grossly incompetent administration of public affairs; the sums of money annually taken from the revenues derived on the goldfields, and expended unfairly on the settled districts, instead of being returned to the local taxpayers in the shape of reproductive works; the do-nothing policy of the government; the lack of roads and bridges, except such as were falling to decay; the grasping proclivities of the government who, in the face of falling revenues, cared for little beyond finding the means to pay salaries to a host of officials ; the obstructions made, either through willfulness or ignorance, to legitimate settlement on the Inangahua Valley ; and the great need for the people resident on the Coast to have a voice in their own local government. Referring to the previous attempts to obtain separation, he said past failures were attributable, perhaps, to the fact that the time was not then ripe for agitation, but he thought now we had come on better times, and that if the people were but true to themselves the movement would be successful. "Westport, although once the first to move in the matter, was now the last, but that was no evideuco that the desire for Separation was less earnest. The objection to the system of Government now existing, was the constitution of the Provincial Council. The Goldfields were not fairly represented therein, nor was the Nelson Council Chamber the place wherein men, who commanded the confidence of the people, cared to appear. Men of business, whose practical knowledge would be invaluable ; could not afford to give their time and be absent from their business for two months in every year, and they thus declined any active participation in political matters. Thus the people were deprived of the services of those who would be their best and most faithful representatives, and were compelled to pick, from a motley crew, men to whom they entrusted the most responsible charges, but over whom the electors had no control, even in that place where they really required good men and true, or none at all. Without going at length into the subject of the resolution, he, Mr Conor, said it had his most cordial support, and he believed that if the desired was granted, the settled districts ot Nelson would not be much the losers. They would be able to dispense with a great mass of officials, who would have to seek more legitimate employment, while the people of Nelson would still, as now, find a profitable trade in supplying the markets on the Coast with their produce. In any case a change was necessary, as a longer perpetuation of the present policy would inevitably end in the depopulation of the Goldfields. He recommended a co-opera-tion with the people of Charleston and Reefton, and formally moved the resolution.

Mr Christopher Brown seconded tbe resolution. He said he thought Separation desirable for raauy reasons, and was inclined to believe that a distinct form of government for the G-old-fielda on the West Coast would have a mo3t beneficial eliect.

The resolution on beinp put to the meeting was carried unanimously, amidst marked applause. Mr T. Field then proposed the follow resolution: — " That the unity of interest upon the West Coast Goldfields, point to tho desirability of uniting and consolidating the County of Westland. and tho Nelson South West Goldfields, one form of local Government."

He said that, as most of his friends present well knew, he now very seldom took any active part in public matters, but he looked upon the question under discussion as one on which he was in duty bound, as a resident in Wostport, to give an unqualified expression of opinion. In homely phrase they might be compared to a man who, when a sheet of iron blew off his house, had to put it on again at once. There was no time for delay, no possible excuse for longer inaction, they had but to complete a duty commenced years ago by the West port Progress Committee, wherein the members had worked hard, not only to give effect to the wishes of the people of Westport, but to appeals for redress of grievances from the goldfields. It is true they were then unsuccessful, but the present time seemed right for renewed actiou,.and he had hence great pleasure in proposing the resolution he had read them. (Applause.) Mr John Hughes rose to second the motion. He said it was but a forlorn hope to ever expect any good results from the connection with Nelson Province ; a perfect farce to ever agaiu think of sending representatives to the Nelson Council. What good had they ever done there, or what good were they likely to do ? Opposed to men who outnumbered them in votes, and whose selfish interests would not allow them to do justice to the Goldfields. The members sent from here might one and all try their very best, for the good of their districts, but they had failed hitherto, and would fail again so long as the present condition of affairs lasted. He hoped that every one present would put their shoulder to the wheel and work earnestly in this matter. Words were no ionger of any use, they needed action, and he hoped every man present would do his bounden duty, to himself and his coun try, and assist in getting the desire for Sepaiwtion accomplished. (Applause.) Mr O'Conor : Said he would remark that neither the proposer or seconder of the resolution had touched upon the policy involved therein The question of uniting the whole of the West Coast Goldfields under one government would not be found quite so smooth in its development as might be imagined. The exact form of go vernment to be adopted should, he thought, be left to the decision of the Legislature, although the people might worthily exert themselves to get it established on an equitable basis. For instance, if they joined with Westland, they should take care not to have iuflicted on them any share in the payment of Westland's present debts. (Hear, hear.) Here, in the Buller District, was an utter lack of public works, but then there was no public indebtedness. The Buller people therefore, in joining the partnership, should get a consideration in ready cash —(hear) —as an equivalent to place them on a level footing with Westland, and that money could at once be expended on the public works most urgently needed. Another question was, which town should be the " Capital " of the future Province ? but any decided expression of opinion on that point had be better left uuspokeu, until the political unification of the West Coast Goldfields had been effected. Then if they had to do any petty squabbling in deciding details—squabbling that, however disagreeable, often led to good results —there would be time enough, but for the present the matter would be better left untouched.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Bailie, who was greeted with applause, then proposed the next resolution, which was as follows : " That a committee be appointed to carry out the foregoing resolutions, by having a memorial drawn up and signed by the inhabitants of this town and district, for presentation to the General Assembly, as early as possible, the committee to consist of the following gentlemen:—Messrs Hughes, Draghicavich, Palla, Bailie. Corr, Powell, Graves, Field, Whyte, Evans, Suisted, Humphrey, and M'Farlane, and that this committee co-operate with other committees, formed on the Coast for a similar purpose. He said the object of proposing a Committee at once was, that they might, without delay, commence the work before them. He quite agreed with the remarks of the former speakers, and knew, too well, the evil results of the present connection with the Nelson Government. The town of Westport in its present deplorable condition was a standing disgrace to the Nelson Province. (Hear, hear.) What money had been spent therein had been wasted, and it was the same outside the township. He had lately travelled over a good portion of the outlying districts, aud found every, where the same signs of neglect, the roads and tracks were worse now than four years ago, and there was little promise even of their amendment. He would remind the meeting that the General Assembly wouid soon meet in session, and it was therefore necessary that the memorial should be prepared and sigued without delay, and that, if possible, it should bear the signature of every inhabitant in the Buller District' Mr Dkaghicavich seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously.

The Chairman then suggested that if any one present wished to speak on other matters of public importance the present was a fitting opportunity. Mr O'Cosroß got up, with a copy of the ' Westport Times' in his band, and said he wished to make a complaint as to the report of the last meeting, as affecting himself. A decided expression of dissent instantly arose, and the chairman ruled that Mr O'Conor was out of order in attempting to bring personal matters into discussion. Mr Munro then proposed a vote of thanks to the chair, which was carried by acclamation, ' and the meeting separated.