MEETING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RIVER BANK, &c.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 160, 4 February 1868, Page 2

MEETING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RIVER BANK, &c.

Last evening a meeting of the inhabitants of Westport, which was, however, but very sparely attended," held at Trimble's Nelson Hotel,, " for the purpose of urging upon the Nelson Government the necessity of a,t once securing the river bank and providing suitable accommodation for the port." We give a condensed report of the proceedings. Mr John Munro was voted to the chair, and said that it was unnecessary to introduce the matter at any length as due justice would be done to the subject by the various speakers who would move the different resolutions. If the Nelson Government took no notice of their actions they should take advantage of the Municipal Act. Mr Tyler said that this was a question of much an d had already been brought before the Superintendent along with a number of

other grievances when he was among them; the Commissioner liacl also represented the urgency of the matter to him. He apprehended that in bringing the subject prominently before the Nelson Grovernment it should be shown that the inhabitants felt some interest in the mailer." The present meeting, no doubt to the inclemency of the weather, was not numerous enough to do justice to the occasion, especially seeing such a few of the influential gentlemen present. Ho thought they should adjourn the meeting. They had witnessed large meetings in that room when public interest had been excited, such as had occurred recently, but now there Was not enough to lino the walls. He therefore moved that the meeting be adjourned till Monday evening next. Mr Smith suggested Tuesday.

Mr Crate advised immediate action, as the river was making great inroads on the bank, and it would be, therefore, advisable not to let the proceedings lag for want of numbers.

Mr Tyler's motion not having been seconded, Mr J. V. Smith said that before putting the resolution he held in his hand to the meeting, he begged to say a few words respecting the election of last Wednesday. He thanked those gentlemen who had exerted them-elves in his behalf, both electors 'and nun-

electors, and also the press. Mr Smith then payed a compliment to the press for the exertions used on his behalf. He then proceeded to read the following resolution : —" That, Considering the large population at present located in, and the immense mineral wealth of the Buller district, and the amount of inland revenue annually colle -ted by the Provincial Government —it is the opinion of this meeting, that the Government of Nelson have neglected the district and ret'irded the development of its resources by not opening it up by means of proper tracks and roads." This resolution was against the Government, not against the Commissioner, who had done all he could wi th the means at his command. If he had had his will they would have had a large wharf before now, but the Government had not thought fit to give him the means to do so. The sum of £1,500 had been voted but that was not sufficient, though when it was voted it was considered, and no doubt was sufficient for ordinary purposes, but the place had grown very considerably since then. After some few other observations, Mr Smith concluded by reading the resolution. Air Powell seconded the resolution which was carrkcl unanimously. Mr Tyler rose to move the second resolution, which he did in an able and eloquent speech. He said he rose to address them on that occasion without a fee, though it was not usual for him to speak without one, but he had such an interest in the resolution that he held in his hand that he felt it his duty to make a few remarks upon the matter. He did not agree with all the remarks that had fallen from Mr Smith respecting the Nelson Government, for he thought that that Government had not neglected the South West Goldfields, and anybody who had lived in the Canterbury Province would say so. The subject of the re" solution was divided into three heads —viz., that the river bank should be protected; that wharf accommodation should be provided; and that it was the duty of the Government to prove that accommodation. If something was not done to protect the river bank, the river would find its way through the town, and he believed in the course of a few years it would find its way through the place where they were now standing. The rivet bank was now being washed away, not by feet, but by yards, and they must do something in order that the town might be preserved. The next subject was that of Wharf Accommodation. It was desirable that the port should possess proper accommodation, as a large revenue was being derived from the customs' duties. The number of vessels arriving demanded that some accommodation should be provided. They were only residents there for a short time, and the only object the majority of them came there was to rnake a little money and leave the place ; at all events he did, and he believed ninety-nine out of every hundred did the same. They had no intention of settling there, and therefore they should all do as much as they could to render the place habitable. They should do all in their power to assist the merchant and shipper, and in benefitting them they would ultimately benefit the consumer. They had the best port on the \Vest Coast, and yet Charleston, Brighton, and Mokihinui were supplied from Hokitika. Mr Tyler then proceeded to allude to the disadvantages that Hokitika and the Grey labored

u ider compared with Westport. It was the duty of the Government to protect property, and in protecting the property of the inhabitants they protected their own property. If one person's house "was in 'danger he would not recommend that the Government should go to much expense to prevent it, but in this case it was different. It had been said that the Provincial Government had no funds at their disposal, but he thought that this was a case in which the aid of the General Government should be called in, as they derived revenue from the Customs. Mr Tyler then advised the inhabitants to take the matter in their own hands and subscribe funds towards accomplishing the object they had 'in view, when the General Government would in all probability assist them. Mr Tyler concluded by reading the following resolution : "That in the opinion of this meeting, steps should be immediately taken to have the north bank of the Buller river protected against the further ■encroachments of the stream; and also to have proper wharf accommodation provided at the port of Westport; and that considering the number of vessels that visit the port annually and the amount of Customs' revenue collected, it is the incumbent duty of the Government to provide these works."

Mr W. Pitt seconded the resolution dn a speech of some length. The resolution was then carried. Mr Heid, in proposing the following 'motion; commented upon the various gentlemen mentioned in the resolution: . —" That a petition he prepared, signed fay the residents in the district and "presented to the Superintendent of the Province of Nelson, praying that the public works suggested in the foregoing resolutions, be undertaken and completed by the Provincial Government without delay; and that Messrs J. V. Smith, W. Pitt, J. Powell, and the mover, be requested to draw up such memorial, and obtain signatures." Mr Spencer proposed the next resolution, as follows : —" That Mr James Bentley, M.P.C., Mr J. V. Smith, M.P.C. elect, and Mr William Pitt, be requested to act as a deputation to his Hon. the Superintendent—present, and ui'ge the prayer of the memorial." Mr G-arrard seconded the motion. On the motion of Mr Crate, Mr Picid's name was added to the list. Mr Crate, in a few able remarks, "urged the necessity of action. A gentleman moved that Mr Crate's name be added to the list. As this seemed to be the unanimous opinion •of the meeting, it was agreed to. After a few remarks frotn the chairman, a vote of thanks was passed to him, and the meeting broke up.