THE WESTPORT SEPARATION MOVEMENT.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1175, 29 December 1868, Page 3

THE WESTPORT SEPARATION MOVEMENT.

Fkom the Westport Times' report of a meeting of the W^stporfc Progress Committee, we extract the following:— The Chairman : I find, by tlie latest Government Gazettes, that the General Assembly has been prorogued to some day in the month of February. It seems to mo to be an important consideration whether or not you consider it desirable to petition the Government for the separation of this district from the Government of the Pro\ince of Nelson. If you think it is desirable, now is the most fitting time to "do so. It will have to be taken into consideration when the House is in session. Moreover, you are aware that the Stafford Ministry are very much in favor of local governments, and unfavorable to the provincial form of Government. There are onlr two months to eiapse before Iho meeting of the House, and it will be necessary, in any effort that may be made for the separation of the district from the Province of Nelson, to prepare statistics to show that it is desirable that it should be separated. This will require time and labor, and I think we cannot do better than, at all events, discuss the matter. If ever wo are to think of the matter at all, we could never have a more favorable opportunity. If you deem it desirable, it might be well to communicate with the Cnarleston Progress Committee, and with some of the influential residents of Brighton and Cobden. There are a great many matters to be considered. There seems 10 be a feeling getting abroad in the southern part of the Province against a continuance of connection with Nelson. I remember having read a letter written by some one in Cobden in which fault wns found with the action of the Nelson Government, and encouraging the idea of annexation to Westland. I cannot but think that it would be of immense advantage to the whole of an extensive district if this portion of tho Province of Nelson were to be formed into a separate County. I merely throw out the suggestion ; but I mysplf am strongly opposed to these Provincial Councils, and very much in favor of local self-government in some form or another; and a more favorable opportunity than tho present might not present itself. If a Ministry under Mr. Fox get into power, then gojd-byo to the abolition of Provincial Governments. But, while the present Ministry is in office, we have some hope of being able to obtain separation. Mr. Alcorn : It might affect the question of our river bank protection. Mr. Humphrey : But the Nelson Government is not doing anything as it is. The Chairman : And I think we are likely to get separation before there is any chance of their doing anything for the river bank. Mr. O'Cojtor : In agitating such a question local jealousies must be set aside. I think it is an object the attainment of which would benofit the whole district, and Westport would only share in that benefit. I consider that the mining community, who are the principal supporters of this district, would be very much benefited. They would have an Executive on the spot. Roads and tracks would be made more extensively, and on a more economical scale, instead of useless works being constructed at a very great expense. A great deal of money, instead of being expended in Nelson as it is at present, would be expended in the district. Tlie more we paid, the more would bo distributed in our midst, instead of at Nelson, to fatten aristocrats there, and to create works of imaginary value. T! c Chairman : Dry docks, for instance, and a railway from Nelson to Oobden. Mr. O'Conqr: Exactly, and other works which will never exist except in the imagination of the people of Nelson, who imagine that all expenditure should be confined to the town itself. I think wo have long enough "played secqnd fiddle" to, Nelsqn,. It is now time fqr us to walk withqu,t ttjeir, encumbrance. The Chairman : I think wo should first ascertain whether such a movemont Is generally desired and desirable. We should ascertain, not only from the public here, but from those elsewhere, whether they are in favor of the establishment of tho county of Westland North. Mr. O'Conor proposed that Mr. Tyler, Mr. Alcorn, and the Secretary should be appointed as a smb-committee to communicate with the different local bodies at Charleston, Cobden, and Brighton, for the purpose of. ascertaining the public feeling on the question. Thp Chairman; It seems, then, that you, a,re yourselves ffl.vprab.le tp the idea. ' Mr. Q'Conor':' I thjnk tha.fc is sufficiently implied. The jnotion, prpppged by My,. O'Conor whs agr.eed to, and, in cqn i segn,enoe of the. holidays intervening, the Coqiuu'fctep $djour,aed Ufltil Jfyidaj, tb.s §I>U of