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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 277, 20 June 1868, Page 4

The meeting convened by Dr. Giles, at the request of a number of persons, to consider the advisability of forming a Municipality in Westport, was held last night, and a more sorry exhibition of intelligence it has never been our lot to be present at. Argument there was none, but it was clear that a strong force had been gathered to oppose the idea at all hazards, and such being the case anything like reason would not be listened to. As a matter of course there must be two opinions on almost any given subject, and however firmly one section may be convinced of the benefit of a Municipality, another with equal reason may dispute its desirability. But the majority of the meeting last night would not allow the question to be sifted in any way, and jumped to a conclusion without rhyme or reaspn. All that was asked was that a committee should be appointed to examine into the question, to ascertain the probable income and expenditure, and to deduce from a full enquiry the advantages or disadvantages accruing. Neither the meeting nor the Committee would have in the least degree committed themselves to carrying out the idea, but some valuable information would have been elicited on which the public might have formed just conclusions. This would not do, a senseless and almost inconceivable opposition was manifested to enquiry even. The majority were like the individual who sang— I do not like you, DrFell, The reason why, I cannot tell; But this I know, and know full well, 1 do not like you, Dr Fell. Without knowing anything about the matter, a large majority came to the conclusion that it would be better to burk the Committee, and they succeeded

in doing so. Mr Neil may be supposed to be the leader of the opposition, and the valuablo character of his reasoning may be gathered from the fact of his gravely stating amongst other objections, that if the Municipality was established we should have to finish the wharves at our own expense, and that the Government would withdraw money already voted by the Provincial Council. Comment on such folly i 3 superfluous ; we may just add however, that 011 the wharves being completed they would have been handed over to the Municipal Council, and that all fees &c., would have found their way into the Municipal coffers, to be again expended in the town, instead of going into the Provincial chest at Nelson. We are compelled unwillingly to hold over our report till Monday, as well as mai:y comments wo should liketo have made.