MR. BONAR AT THE KANIERI.

West Coast Times, Issue 606, 3 September 1867, Page 2

MR. BONAR AT THE KANIERI.

A large and influential meeting of miucrs and storekeepers was hold last night at the Albion Hotel, Kanieri Town, on tho occasion of Air Bjnar adlrojsing the elector* of tho district in connootion with the forthcoming election.

Mr Dale being voted to the chair requested a patient hearing for tho candidate, who would be prepared to answer any questions that might afterwards be put to him.

Mr Bo>'ab, who on rising was receivod with much applause, said that he had convened the present meeting with, a riow of soliciting tho suffrages of the Kanieri miners, and hearing their opinion upon the recent appointment of a Goldfields Secretary. According to his (the speaker's) idea such an officer would not be responsible to tho country unless he hold a ssat in the Provincial Council, there to answer for his actions when called upon. He (the speaker) had recently received the appointment, and wished to offer some explanation of— lmnr_i] l e unsought for honor had devolved upon him. ft woiiTS be remembered that over since tho establishment of the goldfieldsthe wantof a responsible officer had been felt, and his appointment incessantly demanded by the public. The creation of the office was subsequently recommended by the Westland Commission, and an last, after much delay, tho Government consented, and offered the appointment to him (Mr Bonar). He seriously considered tho question, and concluded it would be better that a local man should have it rathe* than a stranger entirely unacquainted with the, district, and he, therefore, closed wfth the offer determined to do his best to promote the welfare of Westland, where all his interests were centred. He was essentially a West Coast man, and had resided for nearly two years and ahalf in Hokitika, during which time he had taken an active part, in nearly every public movement that had been agitated, and* had worked hard to maintain the prosperity of the place. Nearly evorj thing he possessed was contained in Westland. If the district went down, he must fall with it, if it flourished he expected to prosper proportionately, and he therefore thought that his entire depondanco upon the district was sufficient guirantje that he would do all that lay in his power to promote its welfare. At the same time his power to do good would be much curtailed unless his. hands -were strengthened by the people, and he therefore trusted they would return him for the seat now vacant, and so place him in an indepondant position whichhecertainlyshould not hold if returned by an Ea3tland constituency. It had been said by his detractors that he had been selocted by the Government as a fitting tool, and a man easily managed. This assertion was false and scandalous, and those who knew him best could prove tliat his was not a character to be so easily moulded to the will of others. He would hare a hard battle to fight in the house, but he was resolved to fight to the last, maintaining his owu integrity aud tho honor of Wcatland. At the same time he was assured, from tho attitude of the Council last session, that nothing wo 3to be obtained by coercion, and ho therefore intondod to adopt a conciliatory lino of policy. The wrongs under which Westland suffered could be redressed in no other way, as the most ardent supportors of tho movement admitted that Separation could not bo obtainod for many months. In the meant time, pending the result of tho Separation Petition, would it not be better to accept the offer of the Government, and strive by moderation to win justice from Eastland. Westland's position was wonderfully improved by the appointment of a Secretary, as he was vested with full power to administer local affairs, and cduld act decidedly without being obliged to telegraph to Eastland for instructions upon little paltry questions that might arise. (Applause.) Mr Bonar explained his views upon the leading topics of tho day. He was in favor of a speedy settlement of the lands, and tho promotion of agriculture, being convinced that thousands of diggers wore anxious to leave of wandering and settle down comfortably. Respecting the formation of tracks, he very much regretted that tho Government had been compelled to stop the work, as tho country would never be thoroughly prospected until it was intersected by tracks in all directions. (Cheers.) Ho intended to take immediate steps to push forward a few of the main lines, the uiOßt important of which was he considered one that would connett the extreme S.W.-gold fields with Okarita, so that the diggers would not bo compelled, as they were at present, to depend altogether upon tho stray visit of a steamer for supplies. To facilitate travelling, and lessen the number of lives lost yearly by drowning, iy, {attempts to ford the dangerous rivers of the district, he purposed to offer subsidiary grants towards the establisment of ferries upon some of the larger streams. Spoaking of mining. Mi" Bonar laid he wished to see

it established on a wide basis and governed by wise and liberal laws. He believed that tho subject had been fairly dealt with by the mining conference which* sat some timo ago, and recommended many additions and alterations in tho goldfields regulations which he bolioved had not yet been carried out, but soon wouH be. If, however, special abuses oxiated, as the GolUfields Secretary had authority to investigate them, and would, if possiblo remedy them if they were brought under his notice. (Applause ) la reference to his appointment of Secretary, Mr Eonar said it had been asserted that having accepted the seat he ratified all the previous acts of the Executive. It was not so,, and he moreover wished it to bo distinctly understood that should his presence and influence in tho Execcitivo produce no benefit to Westland, he would be proparod to resign his seat and throw himself heart and soul into any movement that might be initiated as likely to bring about tho desired reform. (Cheers). This concluded Mr Bonar's address, and the Chairman having called upon the meeting, several questions were put to the candidate and satisfactorily answered. He was in favor of every encouragement being given to tramway companies, as nothing would so tend to open up and settle tho country as the construction of substantial lines of rails through it. He believed that miners had a perfect right to mine upon private property, but considered that the occupant of the land should bo guaranteed from loss by ample compensation. It vas cleirly a question of justicej ustice between mm and man. (Applau c.) He was not in favor of Government grants ii aid of prospecting. The system had been tried in Victoria and found wantiig. (Applause.) Mr Steele, of tho Victorian Co-operative Company, moved — " That Mr Bonar was a fit and proper person to hold a seat in the Council," and the motion being seconded by Brown, of the Kanieri, was carried unanimously in the usual manner.

Mr Shaw, of the " We3t Coast Times," and Mr Harvey, barrister, spoke at length in support of Mr Steele's motion, but pressure upon our space by advertisements, compel* us to withhold their speeches.