MR TABART'S MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 2588, 8 January 1874, Page 2

MR TAB ART'S MEETING.

Mr Tabart addressed the electors at the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre on Tuesday evening. The attendance was somewhat thin.

Mr Holmes occupied the chair, and introduced the candidate to the meeting. Mr Tabart said that he came forward to seek the suffrages of the electors for the first time, He admitted that he had no powers of oratory, and he hoped that those present would deal with him leuiently. It had 'been said that he was "with them, but not of them," and that his Canterbury proclivities carried the sway in regulating his actions. He denied this. He had watched very closely the various events of public importance which had taken place. With regard to the recbnt changeafrom the County to the Provincial system, he must say that he did not approve of the mariner in which the change had been wrought. He altogether disagreed with the members for the 'district, bpth in the Legislative .Council .and the House of Representativesj with regard to ! the' steps they ' took on that' occasion"; No ope was dissatisfied with the County forrii ,6'f government, and under the circumstances, no one was justified in allowing a subversion of our ' institutions 'to take place. However, now .that the Province

was proclaimed, it behoved every one to use his best endeavors to make it prosperous. In the event of {he boundaries ij|^Jhe Province being extended the change of government might be beueficial. He had Bsjp a resident in; the Amuri district for five years, and only £10,000 had been sfelt-pElre ou|Bf'iiloMrf f which had bach raised in revenue. If that state o£ things Continued, the people in the SouthWest portions of the Province would come of their: own accord and ask for annexation to Westland. One- advantage Westland would have, it would start clear of debt, aqs the Coun# vfoujd Mfc to'tty 'to 'ke)Bp out of it. There wo*utd be increased expenses, a.qd no .increase of revenue. . There must be an Executive, consisting "probably 1 of a Provinpial Secretary, a Provincial Treasurer, a Secretary of Public Worksi a Goldfield Secretary, and perhaps* one other without office. The ; Executive would have to be paid. Matters relating to Road Boards were not in a very satisfactory condition. The Boards should have the power to levy rates without appealing to tbe Superintendent' to accept or reject the rate. Legislation was required in many directions. A Fencing Ordinance, and a Cattle Trespass Ordinance were j highly necessary. With regard to waterraces, he might state that he hoped to see an extension of the Kanieri Race, so as to supply the town with water, not only for domestic purposes, but also to provide against danger by fire. If that was carried out, the people of Hokitika could go to go to their beds with some sense of security. The Provincial Council would have to make, provision for carrying on public works, and for immigrtion. To develop the resources of the country a different class of people to those we have at present, would be required. With regard to the railway to connect the East and West Coasts of the Island, he looked upon its completion as a certainty, and thought 'that the' route by Browning's Pass would be the most economical one, and the difficulties to be encountered on that line, would be comparatively trifling, with the exception of the Pass itself. Out of a revenue of £42,000, the Council would have but a small sum to devote to public works, tod he hoped that a Cbmmit'tee would he formed to prepare a carefully devised scheme to, be submitted to the House ■ «f Representatives, asking for such assistauce as was necessary, and he had no doubt but that help would be given. In speaking upon the subject of Education, he would state that he was in favor of the. denomination system, except in, sparsely populated districts, where limited means only were available. In such cases' he thought that a scheme of a mixed nature should be introduced. He had been a resident in Hokitika for five years, and had always taken a sfaaig'fttxourse in all things. He took it ior granted that a man's nose was given to him s for. a double purpose — partly as an ornament to his face, and partly to enable him to enjoy the sense of smell, but not to be used as a handle,, to be led about by. For his own part, he would distinctly promise that no one should lead him by the nose. He would support measures which would be conducive to the interests of the country, and oppose those which would be detrimental.

In answer to a number of friendly questiaus, the candidate stated that he Would not be iv favor of paying honorariuui to all members, but only to strictly country members. He would not increase the tolls upon the Christchurch Road. He thought that a fixed proportion of the Land Fund should be spent in making roads through the districts in which the money was raised. He considered that tolls were a curse to a country and a severe tax upon travellers.

Mr Oros's proposed, " That' Mr. Tabart i* a fit and proper person to represent the town of Hokitika in the Provincial Council."

Mr Kedzlie seconded the resolution, which was then put, and carried unanimously.

The candidate briefly thanked those present, and the proceedings terminated,