PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 379, 17 October 1868, Page 4

PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

The Progress Committee held their second meeting last night in the Court House, all the members being present, namely, Messrs Alcorn, O'Conor, Hughes, Leslie, Milne, Bain, Field, Powell, and Humphrey. Mr Alcorn being voted temporarily to the chair, the miuutes of last meeting was read and confirmed. Mr Bain, on behalf of the SubCommittee appointed at last meeting, reported that they were not yet prepared with any code of rules. Mr O'Conor thought it would be advisable to have a few leading rules passed at once. Before electing a chairman and other officers, it would be right that the term for wlrch they were to hold o3ice should be definately fixed.

The Chairman suggested the propriety of postponing any discussion on the rules, until the sub-committee submitted their list. In the election of officers, it might be understood that such election would be subject to the rules afterwards adopted. This suggestion having met the approval of the Committee, the business of electing officers was proceeded with. Mr O'Conor proposed Mr Alcorn as permanent chairman. This was seconded by Mr Powell. Mr Alcorn said he would rather prefer that some one else should occupy the position. Mr Bain was nominated by Mr Leslie, seconded by Mr Humphrey. Mr Bain thought it would be better to choose an older resident tban himself.

Tbe result of a ballot beiug favorable to the election of Mr Baia, that gentleman then took the chair. The Chairman thanked the Committee for the mark of confidence just shewn, and remarked that their success as a body depended in a great measure upon their unanimity of action. He would do what he could at all times to forward the objects for which tbe Committee was institated, and in so doing, he believed be would receive the cordial support of the other members.

The question of a Secretary being raised, several members of the oom° mittee were proposed as such, but they all declined. The Chairman said he mentioned at last meeting, that Mr Bullen had offered to act as honorary secretary, if such was required. itesolved on the motion of Mr Powell, seconded by Mr Milne—" That Mr Bullen's offer to act as honorary secretary be accepted with thanks." Mr Humphrey was elected honorary Treasurer.

The Chairman said the next business of the evening was very important. It referred to a motion which he brought under their no Lice at the last meeting, but tbe consideration of which was then postponed. He alluded to the late calamitous floods, and to the necessity of some immediate action being taken by the committee, to endeavour to save a great portion of the town from being washed away. No doubt some member present would bring forward a motion on the subject, and he (the Chairman) would be glad to bear the views of the Committee. A discussion ensued as to the best mode of urging the matter upon the consideration of fhe Government, and eventually the following resolution proposed by Mr O'Conor, and seconded by Mr Humphrey, was adopted:— " That a Committee to consist of the Chairman, Mr Alcorn, and the mover, be appointed to draw up a memorial setting forth the urgent claims of the inhabitants of this town for some immediate steps being taken to protect the town from the encroachment of the river which is now threatening Westwith destruction; and that the said Committee be empowered to collect signatures, and to forward the memorial when complete, to his Honor the Superintendent."

Mr O'Conor said it would no doubt be found very usefnl if the Committee

were placed in possession of information as to the statistics of the district.

Mr Alcorn coincided with the suggestion made, and moved, Messrs Hughes, Milne, and Humphrey be appointed a sub-committee to collect statistical information in reference to Weatport and the Buller district. Seconded by Mr Powell and carried. .Resolved, on the motion of Mr Humphrey, seconded by Mr Field—" That the secretary be instructed to inform the General and Provincial Governtnents of the formation of the Westport Progress Committee. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mi' O'Conor, seconded by Mr Hughes,—" That the Secretary be instructed to write to the Charleston Progress Committee, informing them of the election oi' the Westport Committee, and expressing the desire to co-operate with the Charleston Committee in any movement likely to advance the interests of the whole district.

The Committee then adjourned to Friday next, at eight o'clock p.m.