The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 315, 4 August 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1868.

As to the desirability of a Progress Committee, everyone appears to be satisfied, but as to its establishment the leading men, who should take an active part, seem to be smitten with a sudden fit of bashfulness. We have bad an example far south in Hokitika, where a Progress, or an Improvement rather, has blossomed into a full grown municipality, and even its most bitter opponents now are thankful for its introduction. But as municipal institutions are barred from Westport by the judicious vote of a number of people who had no interest in the mattter, we have to look for the next best substitute, in the shape of a Progress or Improvement Committee. In Charleston this has already been established, but in Westport the proposal hangs fire. The objections to a Municipal Council are obvious, and what is more, may be well founded, but at the same time such a body could not fail to be other than useful to the commuuity. At the present time there are a variety of public questions that cannot be well disposed of and yet which a public body eoifd have determined in a short space of time. It is said with truth that a Progress Committee would have no power, would have no legal status, and that as far as results went, they would be particularly powerless in all they undertook. To a certain extent these objections are well founded. There is no doubt that a Progress Cominitteo is an illegal committee, that J

tliey have no legal status, that they are not legally qualified to levy rates, and that in fact they are a representative institution without legal authorisation. Granted all that and as much more as may be stated, still such a body could he of incalculable use to Westport, and if they were elected the benefits would be discovered within a week or so. At present wo have nobody to refer to, we ha\e] a <*reat Panjandrum in the shape of a Commissioner, and as a rule this vast authority gives every satisfaction At the same time we may observo that the satisfaction is not universal ; indeed, if we had a special mes e sent from the ethereal reg'oMs" to dispense justice on the C'ia >1 it is scarcely possible that he would be beyond criticism. But when we can take our own matters into our own hands, as we realty can, surely it is wot th our while to do so. The work of the Progress Committee is really'the work of the public, and wherever committees of the kind have been established, the best results have followed. There is then some recognised medium between the Government and public, there is really some body to appeal to ! in case of wrong, some vent to the expression of public feeling on any special subject. There are a dozen ques- ' tions that a Progress Committee could now well take up, and where their in- ' terference would be valuable. We i might almost without exaggeration say there are twenty, but there are at least many. All that is required is tc 1 convene a meeting for nominations, another for election, and the Comuiit- - tee is then fairly started. Whether oi not it has legal, it will have very material moral force, and surely we shouk not be behind our Charleston neighbors in bringing such an institutior into life. The growlers at the lat< ' public meeting could not growl if thej have to pay nothing whatever, and w( do sincerely trust that before anothe) , month is out we may have the pleasure ■ of welcoming the establishment of tin \ first Westport Committee of the kind

The Athenceum Committee met on Saturday. No business was transacted beyond the Committee expressing their readiness to receive any proposals made by the residents on the Caledonian and Addisons, as regards the working of the institution in those

Yesterday the Kynnersley commission sat, and the police were first examined. As might be supposed their evidence was all that could be desired. After them Mr H. Wright, editor of the WESTrORT times at the time of the disturbance, was examined and after him Mr W. Pitt late captain of the volunteers of Westport. The evidence throughout was exculpatory of Mr Kycnersley, and only added one tiem to the long string on the same arrangement. We have not the slighest idea when the commissioners intend to close up, but we should think that their labours should he near their termination. Mr Kynnersley last night made a speech, as we presume in defence, but as we have abstained from reporting other proceedings, we refrain from giving items there referred to.

At the Police Court yesterday, Simuis, charged with obtaining money under false pretences, was fnrther remanded till this day. As the spring is now approaching, it should be time for the cricketers of this town to bestir themselves in order to make arrangements for a cricketing campaign, when the weather will permit. There was a club established now some two years ago, and the bats, stumps, &c, are in existence and ready for use at a moment's notice. The only difficulty is the ground, and this can surely be got over. There is level land at the Orawaite fitting for cricketing purposes, and no trouble need arise on that score. We should like to see this manly game flourish in Westport, and hope that those skilled in it will take immediate measures for opening the ball at an early date. Some changes have recently been made in Gladstone street. Mr Gr. Clarke so long known as host at the Caledonian hotel on the wharf, has shifted his quarters to Ferris' store, which he has transmogrified into an hotel under the title of the Oddfellows Arms. There are any number of the craft in Westport, and that, added to Mr Clark's popularity, will no doubt ensure the success of his venture. Mr Trimble, late of the Nelson hotel, has also returned to Westport, and lias purchased the Adelphi hotel and Theatre. He opened on Saturday, and is about making vast improvements in the house. Without question, from his antecedents as a pioneer of public amusement and entertainment, Mr Trimble will reap a fitting reward, and we have no doubt that his confidence in Westport will bo abundantly repaid.

The Ketmady has not shown up as but if she comes to-day, letters by her will be made up in a Wellington mail, and will be received up to the last minute of the steamer's tleparture, either for Panama, New York, the American States or Great Britain.