The Westport Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1100, 22 August 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1873.

Mining upon private property forms the subject whereon Mr Bradshaw attempts to induce special legislation, and for this purpose he has introduced a Bill to narrow the whole question of rights and remedies to' the simple process of making all lands of the Crown, to be alienated after the passing of the act, liable to be again taken possession of by the Crown and thrown open for mining piirposts. The applicants paying value for all surface improvements and buildings erected thereon, as decided by arbitration under regulations to be defined by the Governor. This is just one of those useful measures that the mining interests have long sought for, and Mr Bradshaw will do the state some service if he succeeds in carrying the Bill through all its stages this session although the chances am that it may make one amongst the massacre of innocents. Our telegrams show how far the Bill has yet progressed. The Westland community will no doubt feel elated now that their County is to be raised to the dignity of a Province, the Council whereof will be able to legislate, to borrow money, and generally to do all that pertains, to provincial governing powers. The Westland County Council will have to define the electoral boundaries of the new province and then collapse, as quietly and decently as adverse circumstances will permit. The only source of regret from a Westland point of view will be that the incorporation of the Nelson SouthWest Goldfields within the new provincial boundaries has not been accomplished. We do not know that many will share in the regret on this side the dividing line. It remains yet to be proved that the new provincial council will assume any higher status that the old county council, or that desirable representatives will be obtained, and until all doubt in this respect is removed, and it is p r oved by actual experience that the proposed change will be of benefit, the Nelson Goldfields communities can afford to wait and watch the turn of affairs on cither side. Any too precipitate action in making overtures for alliance must be strongly deprecated.