MR. TYLER'S RESOLUTION.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 161, 5 February 1868, Page 3

MR. TYLER'S RESOLUTION.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sir,— A.B I was unavoidably presented attending the public meeting so influentially called, to memorialise the Government to take steps to protect the river bank, and provide wharf accommodation, &c, last evening, at the Nelson Hotel, I eagerly perused your issue of this morning with the report of the proceediugs. I noticed that "Mr Tyler moved the second resolution in an able and eloquent speech. 1 ' I doubt not the correctness of that assertion, knowing as I do the wide compass of that gentleman's oratorical powers; also, that he never loses an opportunity of giving them a good airing ; but as to the logical deductions contained therein, I think all who read the report of the meeting will bear me out in my opinion that it was not " all there." Mr Tyler's resolution was—- *• That in the opinion of this meeting, steps should be taken to have the north bank of the Buller river pro-

tected against the further encroaehmenta of the stream ; and also to have proper wharf accommodation provided at "Wesrport; 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 tlie Government to provide these works." In moving the foregoing, Mr Tyler remarked " that it was his opinion that the aid of the General Government should be called in, asi they derived revenue from the Customs, and concluded by advising the inhabitants to take the matter in their own hands, and subscribe the necessary funds towards that object." I must say that in moving the foregoing resolution I am at a loss to conceive bow Mr Tyler could, with consistency, recommend so absurd an idea. , In the first place there is no possibility of the General Government's assistance, the whole matter of harbour works being specifically a Provincial Government affair, the General Government cannot therefore interfere. Secondly—As to the people of West•port taking upon themselves the onus of works of such magnitude as those needed, the idea is simply ridiculous. I gave Mr Tyler credit for being better posted up in the Constitution Act of the Colony, also as to the present financial condition of Westport. I am grieved to observe also that Mr Tyler, in moving the resolution entrusted to his hands, has so far forgotten its substance as to bring to bear matters quite antagonistic to its general meaning. In conclusion, I wish to ask Mr Tyler, through the columns of the Times, what he really did intend to convey to the meeting, as taking your report to be a correct one, I with many others who did attend the meeting are completely in the dark. I am yours, Lex.

[ln reference to Mr Tyler's statement as to the inhabitants taking the matter in their own hand, and subscribing necessary funds towards that object—Mr Tyler recommended the inhabitants to follow the example of the people of Greymouth and initiate the proceedings by subscribing a sum among themselves to commence the works, when he had no doubt the Government would aid them, — Repoetee W.D.TJ]