The Westport Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1045, 11 February 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1873.

In anticipation that the meeting to be add to morrow evening will result in some definite proposal being made to the Nelson Government, whereby the much-vexed question of ' the sections ' in Westport may be settled on an equitable? and permanent basis, it is expedient, as an aid to a clear understanding of the circumstances of the case, to refer to the action taken in the matter during the last sitting of the Council.

On the 21st May last on the motion of Mr Reid, a Select Committee was appointed "to consider . and report upon the present position and condition of the town of Westport, having regard specially to the security of the residents from further loss of property, and to any consideration which may* in equity, be due to those persous whose freeholds have been destroyed by the encroachments of river or sea." The result of the deliberations of the Select Committee was mainly a recommendation of "considerate treatment of those whose interests as a community, and as individual settlers, have been so detrimentally affected ;" and a suggestion that holders of business licenses, and owners of sections or building sites, should be allowed to occupy Palmerston street, and streets adjoining, upon conditional terms. The main stipulations being that occupiers under business licenses should erect buildings on their sections, within six months from entering into possession, and " that owners of freehold sections, destroyed by the sea should, on the transference of their present Crown Grants, be entitled to sections in the upper part of the surveyed town, on contributing a portion of the upset price, the Government purchasing them at that price, and pursuing, in respect to classification and allotment, the same course as in the case of business license holders." Concurrently with this report of the Select Committee ; the Provincial Engineer in his report on the removal of the town, suggested " that sections should be laid out on the river side of Palmerston street, above Wakefield street, which, with uusold sections on the other side, might be sold at a price fixed by the Waste Lands Board, and grants issued upon payment of the purchase money and fulfilment of conditions as to the erection of buildings. OnthelStb June the following motions, by Mr A. Reid, were passed by the Council:— " That his Honor the Superintendent be recommeuded to throw open for occupation under business licenses the landward portion of the reserve at Westport known as the Colliery Reserve, and in the exercise of his powers under the Goldtields Act, to frame such regulations as may secure preferential and actual occupation by freeholders and business liceuseholders in Westport, who are in consequence of the encroachments of sea or river, desirous to remove to that portion of theßeserve, and to erect buildings thereon. "That is desirable that freeholders on the sur/eyed site of the township whose holdings have been destroyed or depreciated in value by the encroachments of the river or sea, should be enabled to purchase freeholds in the upper part of the town as already surveyed, at a material reduction on the present upset price; and that, to enable them to do so, his Honor the Superintendent be requested to inelude in The Appropriation Bill a sum equal to the purchase of fifty sections so situated.

That his Honor be respectfully requested to take such steps ad may be necessary to obtain the Governor's assent to the cancelling of the reserve of thirteen acres, which at present exists in the centre of the town, except such portions of it as may be required for public buildings, with a view to the land being placed at the disposal of the Waste Lands Board. " That a copy of the report by the Committee appointed to inquire as to the position and condition of the Town of Westport, be forwarded by the Speaker to bis Honor the Superintendent." At the sasr.e sitting of the Council, a motion, by the Provincial Secretary, was carried," That in the opinion of the Council the Waste Lands Act should be ameuded so as to give power to the Waste Lands Board to sell occupied land within townships on proclaimed goldfields, without the necessity of submitting such laud to public competition, to the occupiers thereof, provided he shall have occupied such land for at least ten years, or have erected a huilding thereon of the value of at least £SO ; and that should nuch power be given, the minimum price should not be less than at the rate of ten pounds for the area comprised within a business site, namely forty perches." The present proposal of the Nelson Government to lease the allotted sections at a yearly rental of Jive pounds for fourteen years would seem ost -n----sibly to be made under the provisioas

of the Waste Lands Act, but reference thereto fails to show the express clause conveying such power. The Board, consisting of the Superintendent, the Crown Lands Commissioner, and the Speaker of the Provincial Council, have power to make reserves, and also, under certain restrictions; to alter or dispose of any reserve, or to change the object thereof. The Board has also the power to lease Crown Lands "at the rate of five pounds for every hundred pounds of the value," to be assessed by the Board, such lease to bo issued upon payment of a fee of thirty shillings, and to be for a term of fourteen years, subject to a proviso that the lessee may determine the same at the end of any current year, by giving six months previous notice in writing. All rents to be paid annually in advance, and the lease to become void if rent should be in arrear for a space of nine months. The same to be sold by auction as soon as practical after default. But the express circumstances of the Westport sections question, requiring special action, would seem to come alone under the discretionary powers vested iu the Board, and to await equitable arrangement rather than arbitrary ruling either by the Board or Council. The whole question at issue narrows down to a few tangible points. The present site of Westport is a colliery reserve. In extent not less than one hundred acres ; the freehold sections adjoining being unoccupied and held by the owners at such exorbitant prices as to practically prohibit all purchase. The area of the Colliery Reserve is in excess of any probable requirements for the coal trade for the next half century, and the residents and holders of section thereons are anxious to purchase their freeholds. The Select Committee appointed to consider the subject have specially recommended that to alleviate the inconvenience and loss heretofore sustained by property holders in Westport, and to encourage their continual settlement in the district, specially liberal arrangements shall be made. The Nelson Government now offer terms that are the reverse of liberal, that are in fact exacting, and beyond any express power given by existing Act or Ordinance. The residents in Westport, while admitting the necessity of keeping intact a sufficient portion of the Coal Reserve to admit of developing the coal trade, upon which, to a great extent, the mater ; al and lasting prosperity of the town must depend, claim the right to have all legal difficulties removed, as now existing to prevent the remainder of the reserve being sold to them as freehold, or leased to them upon more equitable terms than now offered by the Nelson Government. The main questions for the meeting todeciile to-morrow evening would therefore seem to be:—l. What part of the Coal Reserve shall be retained for its original purpose. 2. What terms will the public be willing to accede to for the tenure of the remaining portion.

In striking contrast to the recent obnoxious behaviour of the Postal authorities in removing the Post and Telegraph offices entirely away from the business centre of Westport; is the courtesy displayed by the Secretary and Inspector of Customs, Wm. Seed, Esquire. It had been stated that an intention existed of removing the Custom's Transit Shed to the river bank at Wakefield street, and compel the removal of all dutiable goods there from the bonded stores in town, for guagirig, and thence back again. The trouble and expense of this would have been very great indeed, and a deputation of merchants waited on Mr Seed at the Custom House, on Friday last, to request him to authorise other arrangements. The deputation was courtously received, and assured that the public convenience would be respected. The transit shed will most probably be erected at the junction of Cobden and Palmerston streets as the most central position. Latest news from the Lyell reports a slight rush to the Eight-mile, the reef having being further traced to the northward, and numerous claims are now being pegged off along the line. The stone, so far as tested, appears to become richer as the reef is traced northward, and immense results are predicted if present anticipations are realised. Increased activity prevades at the Lyell, and speculation in reefs and reefing shares is predominant. The Excelsior company have commenced their first crushing and will if possible put through at least one hundred and fifty tons. We have to explain to some of our country readers the cause of the irregularity occurring in the publication of telegrams. Several appearing in this issue that should have been in print on Friday last. The fact is, messages that take a few minutes in transit from one station to another, occupy on an average three quarters of anhour in transit from the local telegraph office to the Westport Times office, and a; night time, by some strange fatality, the line now and then gets out of order, and messages that should reach us in time for going to Press, turn up at an uncertain hour the next morning. The delay in delivery here is not to be wondered at, seeing. that the entire messengers duty devolves on one unfortunate lad, who is kept wearily trudging too and fro between the Wakefield street reserve and the township. On frequent occasions the lad walks more than twenty miles a day and all for the munificent payment of £4 per month. The public inconvenience arising from the recent hurried removal of the post and telegraph offices is very great indeed, and we hope soon to be able to note some attempt to remedy the mistake that has been committed. A meeting of the Exhibit Committee was held at the Empire Hotel on Saturday afternoon, to receive the final report of the Treasurer and Secretary. Upon inspecting the account of receipts and disbursements it was found that nearly two thirds of the subscriptions remained to be disposed of. It was decided that after payment of some small outstanding accounts, one half the subscriptions should be refunded, and the balance remaining handed over to the Hospital Committee, it being left to the option of subscribers whether they will givo their proportion of the re-funded subscriptions to the Hooj ital also.

From unavoidable circumstances the meeting re Westport Sections, advertised to take place this evening, is postponed until to-morrow, Wednesday. A full attendance of all interested in the matter is requested. The mail steamer Nebraska left Napier on Thursday mornings at .8 o'clock, bound for Wellington. She brfhgs thi3 trip a double mail, two month's c<oTe9pondence, The West Coast portion of the mail was-brought down by the Kennedy on Sunday. We are requested by, the Sec. of Bishop Moron's reception committee, to state that his Lordship has iutimated that in consequence of the extent of his diocese, and the numerous duties he has to perform, it will be out of his power .to accept the public banquet proposed to be given to him. And the committee further more desire to express their sincere thanks to those gentlemen who so early came forward and purchased tickets, and request us to state that the subscriptions will be returned by the gentlemen from whom the tickets were purchased. A disgraceful scene occurred in Lyttloton street on Friday evening last. Two of the female denizens of that thoroughfare engaging in a fair stand up fight, tearing each others clothes, kicking, scratching, and generally going on in feminine pugilistic fashion. One of the combatants in her excitement peeling to the waist, the better to ' let out' at her adversary. A crowd collected and the pair fought until they were tired, while the police, in blissful ignorance, were zaalously engaged in guarding the police barracks and government offices in the bush. No blame can be attached to any member of the force for not being present to quell the disturbance, seeing that it is a physical impossibility for the most übiquitous policeman to guard two points a mile distant from each other, at the same time ; but it becomes a matter of serious importance to the public, now that the police camp has been removed from the township, to know what steps will be taken to protect property and preserve the public peace. At present every chance is offorded the dishonest or disorderly to pursue 'their evil acts, without let or hindrance. What is needed, and Krgently, is the addition of another policeman to the force in Westport, and the establishment of a watch-house in the inhabited portion of the town so that some slight protection might be obtnned when needed, and the present necessity obviated of having to send a mile to fetch a policeman.

The increase in the yield of alluvial gold at the Lyell and tributary creeks is becoming very marked, the local storekeepers often having some difficulty in raising at a short notice the necessary funds to purchase parcels offered them. Mr Eennell storekeeper purchased 150 ozs in various lots a few days since, and there is scarcely a cargo boat coming down river from Lyell to Westport that does not bring heavy parcels, although the consignees here are ex- I tremely reticent as to the facts. On Saturday night last, Miss Clara Stenhenson and Mr Charles Burford, assisted by a small dramatic company, gave a good and varied entertainment at the Masonic Hall, Lyttelton street; playing to a small but appreciative'audience. It was a source of regret that the Hall was not filled to overflowing for the company were unflagging in their efforts thorouglput the performance. The paucity of attendance can only be attributed to Saturday being a bad night for giving an entertainment, most of the residents in Westport looking on it as the one business night of the week. Ihe notice of the performance too was somewhat indefinite and most people were under the impression that the company would certainly play on Monday evening also; when every one would have"leisure to attend. However, nothing daunted by a beggarly array of empty benches, Miss Stephenson "did her very best, and very good it was indeed, and was most ably seconded by Mr Burford. The scenes selected for presentation were, Lady Audley's Secret, The Love Chase, and the School for Scandal, varied by some good ballad singing, and concluding with the petite comedy of the Maid with Milking Pail. Praise of Miss Stephenson's talents would be superfluous; the golden opinions she has won od the Coast need no present enhancement. Mr Burford as a well tried actor proved also that he has lost none of his accustomed verve and true artistic ability. Miss Tilly Andrews also made a very favorable impression as a serio-comic songster, rendering some of the best of the niusic hall songs in vogue in good style. The company left yesterday for Charleston were they will play during the week, reopening here again on Monday nest with the Relief of Lucknow ; wherein they will be assisted by several amateurs. Thereafter we may hope to see the company in a selection of good sterling comedies wherein Miss Stephsnson and Mr Burford excel, and for which the stage appointments at the Masonic are more particularly adapted. The Wanganui Herald says :—The result of a trial of Municipal Government in Wanganui is that not one person out of every hundred would desire to return to tlio old state of things. At a meeting of the Nelson Central Board of Education held on Thursday last, a letter from the Rev. A.C. Soutar, giving reasons for his resignation as a member of the Westport Education Committee, was read, and the Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the same. A very narrow escape from fire was the result evidently of carelessness at Miss Callaghan's Post-office hotel, on Thursday evening last. A baker in the employ of Mr Drennan, whose premises are situated next door, saw flames issuing at the rear of the hotel, and immediately gave the alarm, when the fire-bell rung and the brigade with commendable alacrity turned out. Their services, fortunately, were not required, as by the efforts of a few willing hands, and through the means of sundry buckets of water, the fire was successfully quenched. It appears evident, upon looking at the place where the fire commenced, that a lighted match had been carelessly thrown down and the scrim and paper catching, burnt fiercely between the boards and lining. John Rice charged with having, on the 25th December last, at. Charleston, maliciously wounded John Wilson with a piece of wood about five feet long, ha 3 been committed for trial. Anderson's company having reduced wages to £Z 10s. per week the men working in the claim struck .work, but the majority of them have since resumed work at the reduced terms. Their protest seems of little avail seeing that an abundance*of labor may be obtained throughout the district. The Government have informed the Superintendent of Nelson of the acceptance of his proposal in regarding to charge of interest and sinking fund on the cost of the Brunner coal line, and advised him that a formal agreement would be forwarded for signature, and suggests that tenders be immediately called for. The Grey Star says:—We are glad to believe that at last nil the difficulties attendant on the Brunner railway Lave been Gurmounted, and after

apparently endless negotiation, (onus have been arranged, and a happy denoutnent has eventuated. Wo toast now that the Government will not allow any further time to be, cut to waste, but will energetically .••et to work in the matter. The ' Herald' of the sth instant, says:— At Anderson's crushing was to bo renewed at 4 i'.ni. yesterday. It was rumoured that a number of the bands knocked off on Monday, having struck in consequence of the reduced rate of wages, but we believe that they will arrange to renew work on the terms offered. The contract for driving the low level tunnel is now in hand, aad they hope to get the reef after driving twenty feet. At the upper level the reef is somewhat broken, causing difficulty in supplying stone, while its quality is inferior to that obtained at the bottom of the shaft, which is at the same level as the lower tunnel. As soon as the reef has been struck at that point, it is confidently expected that abundance of stone will be readily obtainable, and of a superior quality. A movement is on foot in the Eeefton District to form a miner's association on a similar basis to the organization now established with so much success in Oiago. At a recent public meeting at Eeefton. after the more immediate business of adopting memorials to be presented to his Honor the Superindendent, had been transacted, a resolution was adopted appointing a Committee to initiate action, and also to consult with the Superintendent upon matters concerning the mining interest. The interim Committee consists of Messrs Franklyn, Gulline. Hall, Connolly, Walsh, Doherty, Hankin, and Carreras, Nelson ironfounders are now able to compete with Melbourne houses in the production of quartz machinery. The tender of Messrs Moutray „an<l Co., ironfounders, Nelson, for the supply to the Caledonian Company of two batteries of 5 head of stamps of COO lbs each, was £645, as against .£775, the tender of the Langland Foundry Company, Melbourne. The * Westland Times' says : Very good accounts have been brought, in lately from the Belfast Terrace, Hau Hau. The rush is assuming large proportions, there being quite a thousand persons on the ground. It is confidently expected that the lead extends into the Christchurch road, a distance of five miles. We understand that those who are on gold are getting half a pennyweight to the dish.