The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 273, 16 June 1868, Page 2

The Wes tport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1868.

Without doubt in some respects the social condition of Westport is improving, and we are being trusted, by degrees, with powers of self-government to such an extent, as may encourage us to hope that at no very distant day we may be able to have the entire charge of ourselves and our own affairs. We have already the control of education, we are promised the government of our own hospital, we are to have an Athenaeum at some distant day, under local direction, and, altogether, we are beginning to taste some of the sweets of independence, and it is to be hoped that the desire for such bonbons may grow up on us. Without doubt, shortly, we shall look higher, if the Provincial system is destined to last much longer, and having cast off our swaddling clothes, shall make an effort to walk alone» without direction from Nelson or elsewhere, but in the meantime it is just as well to take one step further, and without more delay adopt means to obtain municipal institutions. Truly, Westport is a deadly lively place,

where any public business is concerned, and though the subject has been discussed for months past, and though nearly every one fully admits its importance, still no one will stir in the matter. Some of the gentlemen, who were wont to come forward on occasion, have retired from public life in disgust, on being, styled a clique, and between two stools the municipality has clearly fallen to the ground. The so called clique will have nothing to do with it; their opponents content themselves with oratory, no doubt of a powerful but very useless kind withal, and so, instead of funds approEriated to the town and its vicinity, eing expended by the business people themselves, the work is heaped on the Commissioner, and apathy reigns supreme. A most ridiculous idea exists, that by the creation of a municipality a long list of taxation follows in rapid succession, and some therefore think that in these dull times we cannot afford such an expensive, though exciting luxury. Never was a greater mistake made, not certainly as to the abstract fact that rates would necessarily be imposed, but as to their magnitude. The erection of a district into a municipality does not entail the imposition of an arbitrary rate ; on the contrary, the rate is struck by the inhabitants themselves, through their representatives, in the Council. If the necessities of the district do not require or cannot bear a heavy impost, the members can deal as gently with their constituents as they please, and can impose such a rate as will not be found burdensome on the poorest ratepayer. The rate may be as low as the Council please, the only restriction in relation to it being that it shall not exceed two shillings in the pound on the annual value. In Westport we have no necessity for an excessive rate, and it can be as low as even sixpence in the pound, which, whilst the amount raised would amply suffice to pay the working expenses, would be oppressive to no one. There are now large sums voted for the improvement of Westport, and these, if the municipality was formed, would doubtlessly be placed at the disposal of the Municipal Council, so that there would be no scarcity of funds to commence with. But it is not alone in carrying out public works that a Council would be useful, there are matt ->rs constantly cropping up that they could with advantage take cognisance of, and they would be as we have befor j said, the mouthpiece of the district, a duly recognised authority, whose communications the ruling powers would pay attention to. Their usefulness in a, place where public spirit is so wanting could not be over-estimated, and when the ease with which such an institution can be obtained is considered, it is absolutely marvellous how we have so long refused to grasp the power thus offered us. See the results of the Hokitika Council, and then it is easy to form an opinion as to the advantage such a body would be here. We saddle ourselves with a small expense, that very expense is re-distributed amongst us again and is largely supplemented by Government aid, and yet we are afraid to incur it. A degree of ill-feeling has we are sorry to confess, been lately engendered amongst us, and as long as it lasts no good will be done. Let us throw the past overboard as far as its disagreeables go, and let some one, cliquite or anti-cliquite, start this matter and we venture to say he or they will be backed by all parties, if things are only properly explained. A public meeting called by anyone who chooses, a petition with a huudred signatures transmitted to the Executive, are all the requirements to set the ball rolling let that only be the case and it will not stop till the Westport Municipality is proclaimed, to the good of all residing within its boundaries.