The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1027, 6 December 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1872.

In our last issue referenco was made to the Amendment to the Nelson Waste Lands Act, passed last session, and the leading clauses were set forth as indicating a means whereby, under judiciously liberal administration, some good might be effected in opening up the waste lands and inaccessible localities within the province. Assuming that his Honor tho Superintendent is the originator of the Amendment Act, the question to bo considered is whethor-or not it may be accepted as an evidence of £ood intent towards the South-west G'oldfields, or another of the too palpable shams whereby the Nelson Executive seek to hide their most incompetent administration. In the first place the Act is worthy of some little attention as indicating that, however fruitless politically the agitation on those goldtields at the neglect and sluggishness of the Provincial Go-

vernment may have been, it has at least had tho effect of awakening it to n, sense of the necessity of public works on the Groldfields, if the Nelson Government would ever hope to maintain tho unity of the Province. The Act sets forth that in order to enlist private enterprise and capital in the construction of roads, bridges, railroads, tramways, harbors, and docks, Crown grants of waste lands may be made to persons or companies contracting to perform such works, subject to a special ordinance to be passed by the Nelson Provincial Council. Payment for such work to be made in land at an arbitrarily fixed value according to locality, aud limited in quantity to not more than threefourths of the waste lands of average quality within two miles next adjoining the work, or in the locality to be thereby benefitted. No lands known Jo be auriferous or to contain valuable minerals are to be included in any such contract, and not mo'e than ten tb msand acres are to be granted ;\s payment or part payment for works

of this kind in any one year. Certain specified works, consisting of trunk roads or tramways are set forth, but all mention of projected harbor or dock works is omitted. Su; h is the gist of the Nelson AVuste Linda Act Amendment Act, 1872- That it will be judiciously administered is doubtful. What may be the consequent effect of -such a measure it will be impossible to foresee, but it is by no means difficult to divine the object. It bears evidence of being neither more nor less than an overture of reconciliation from Mr Curtis to the South-west Goldfield3. It is apparently desired that goldfields residents should think that now this Act is passed, and certain works specifically referred to, that those works will be immediately carried out by the Nelson Government, and that consequently the residents in this part of the province will be converted from the error of their ways, and, in the place of seeking separation, anxiously crave for a union even more intimate, and, if possible, indissoluble with so liberal a province. There are some not unimportant considerations, however, which should not be overlooked before the South-west resideuts throw themselves in an agony of contrition upon the bosom of their subtle Superintendent. First it is not unreasonable to ask if, supposing cantractors could be found, the necessary quantity of land could be found also, of such land at least, not being mineral land, as would have any value to speculators. Secondly, assuming that the requisite available land exists, and that not only are the works made by means of grants thereof, but that trade has been developed and the revenue largely increased, wherein, let us ask, as far as government is concerned, will the goldfields be one whit better off than they are now ? They will simply have given away their estate to strengthen and enrich the Nelson Government. The power to administer their own revenues or their own lands will be no nearer attainment than it is now. On the contrary the fact of the Nelson Government being one party to a series of contracts to be made under this Act will, render separation most difficult until such contracts are completed. It would be more satisfactory from every point of view to be enabled to discern in this Act evidences of good intent and liberal concessions on the part of the Nelson Government, a more grateful and congenial duty to offer congratulations at the initiation of any enlightened policy in the stead of the narrow minded huckstering tendencies now disgracing Nelson rule, but the choice is not given, the true value of this last legislative tho tho Superintendent can be only truly estimated by comparison with his actions in other public matters affecting the interests of the goldfields, and having also for their object tho enlistment of private enterprise and capital in the advancement of public works. Thus weighed in the balance, this new fangled Amendment Act seems but a cunning hoax, a trap to catch the unwary. Two present iustances of the ever recurring obstructive Nelson tactics will suffice to substantiate our argument. For months past the people of Westport have petitioned for the establishment of a municipality here, in order to carry out works which the Nelson Government have neglected. The Superintendent gave his formal consent thereto, in July last, but since then the progress of the petition has been systematically retarded by the Executive of which he is the presumed chief ! Again, private enterprise has stepped in to develope the Ngakawhau coalfield, and, anticipating an ordinarily liberal concession of area for operations, had made definite arrangements to introduce Melbourne capital and steamboats to at once'.open up a trade, advantageous,to the whole community-. The promising scheme is " hung up " and probably doomed to extinction because forsooth " His Honor," regardless of all common sense commercial calculations, chooses to consider that a ridiculously small area is sufficient! Verily when our spiritual pastors and masters take upon themselves to amend our Liturgy they will but embodv the pious aspirations of the people if they add thereto the petition " From Nelson rules and Nelson fools Good Lord deliver us."