PUBLIC MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 301, 18 July 1868, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

The second public meeting called by advertisement to consider the expediency of forming a Progress Com mittee, was held in the Melbourne Hotel on "Wednesday evening, Mr Harry Kennedy being voted to the chair, A considerable number of citizens were present. After a few opening remarks from the chairman, Mr Russell (of the firm of Ching and Russell) proposed the first resolution, which was to the following effect, —" That in the opening of this meeting it is desirable that a Progress Committee be formed in Charleston." Mr Dwan said he would have much pleasure in seconding the resolution if the last five words were altered to "for the town of Charleston." This being agreed to, the motion was put to the meeting and. carried. Mr A. Bain said the second resolution, which he held in his hand, was as follows, —" That the said Committee consist of nine members, to be nominated and elected on a day to be fixed by the meeting, all holders of business licenses to be eligible for voting or election." The system had been raised at the last meeting as to the objects proposed to be embraced by the present movement, and whether they were to be restricted to the town only. He should say not, and thought that if the Committee about to be elected were worth anything at all they would not confine their exertions to the town, but take cognisance of every matter affecting the welfare and progress of the whole district. The mining interest was so bound up with the commercial that they were, in point of fact, identical; like the Siamese twins, if one was pinched the other would be sure to sing out. Then as to the objects aimed at, they were very numerous, but he would only mention a few that occurred to him. When it was decided to make the road to Brown's Terrace and so on to Addison's, it was understood by the public that a dray road was to' be constructed, instead of which a packer's track had been put in "hand. As the cuttings and bridges were to be the full width, it would not be very much additional- expense worn a proper dray road made at once, and he

believed that it"the projected committee had been in existence at the time the work was determined upon, they would have succeeded in inducing the Government to carry out the original design, perhaps it was not yet too late. There was another matter which might properly be taken up by a Progress Committee, namely, the cutting of an exploration track into the interior. A sum of money was placed upou the Estimates duriug last session for such a purpose, and it was only reasonable to suppose that if the matter was properly represented, a fair portion at least of that money would be allocated to this district. Then again there was the Nile bridge affair. The Council had voted for the purchase of the bridge, but it appeared there was a hitch as to who was the rightful owner to purchase from andinconseqencethe matter might remain in abeyance for an indefinite period, unless the Government were urged on to action by the constant pressure of such a public body as the Progress Committee. Erom theunanamity displayed in passing the first resolution, he had no doubt the second would meet their approval also, Mr Neale, in seconding the resolution said he fully endorsed the remarks made by the last speaker. The resolution was then put to the meetinsr, and carried unanimously. Mr Grasquoine then moved " That the nomination take this day week, and the election on the 24th inst." Seconded by Mr Dwan. Mr Neale proposed as an an amendment that the nomination take place at once. This was seconded by Mr Jones, but on being put to the meeting was lost, and the original motion declared carried.

On the motion of Mr Isaacs, seconded by Mr R. P. Bain, Mr Jones was deputed to act as Reterning Officer. A proposition from the same gentleman, seconded by Mr Russell," that two scrutineers be appointed, was adopted, an amendment by Mr Dwan, that the candidates should appoint their own, being negatived. Some difficulty arising about the appointment of scrutineers, Mr Neale and Mr Allen kindly volunteered to act.

It -was then resolved on the motion of Mr Gasqoine, seconded by Mr Amos, that the voting be by ballot and that voting papers be printed. Mr Jones intimated that he would be prepared to fulfil the duties of returning officer on the days named for the nomination and election, between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.