MEETING OF THE PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 390, 30 October 1868, Page 2

MEETING OF THE PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of the Progress Committee was held last evening, at the Prince of "Wales Hotel, to receive the report of the Chairman of the Committee, who had that evening returned from Nelson, on the occasion of being deputed to present the petition in reference to the river bank protection. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Bain said that in accordance with the request of the Committee, he

had proceeded to Nelson, and had had two formal interviews with the Superintendent, the first on Monday afternoon, the day after arrival. • On that occasion lie called by appointment, and presented the petition. His Honor said that he would consider that merely a preliminary interview, and that he would lay the memorial before the Executive next day. At the same time His Honor said that he had arrived at an unfortunate period, for that a deficiency had been discovered in the estimated actual revenue of the year, of no less than £35,000. It seemed that last year the province had received an over-payment through some mistake of the Colonial Treasurer, of some £16,000, and that amount had been retained by the General Government this year. As in Provincial Estimates of this year they had calculated on the receipt of that amount, the stoppage virtually amounted to £32,000 out of this year's income. Other items brought it up to a virtual deficiency of £35,000. There was already a balance, on the wrong side of the Provincial banking account, of £2OOO, and in the face of that he could hold out very little hope of anything being done. He would however call the Executive together, and ascertain their views, and give an answer the next day, Wednesday. He (the Chairman) pointed out the circumstances of the case as forcibly as he could, and at the same time asked if the Superintendent hadreceived any report from Mr Lowe, and was told he had not. He explained how the case stood and drew out a rough sketch showing that unless some measures were taken not only would the roadway be eaten away, but the port itself would be destroyed altogether. If the encroachment of the past weeks was allowed to proceed unchecked, the probability was that two shallow channels, instead of one, as now, would be formed ; and if such was tho case, it would virtually destroy the best port on the coast, as it was now. His Honor seemed fully persuaded of the gravity of the crisis, but at the same time held out little hope of anvthing being done. On Wednesday, he, in company with Mr Bentley, who was on the first occasion prevented by urgent private business from attending, waited on his Honor, and in the interval the latter was in possession of Mr Lowe's report, which he referred to. He said that he had had a consultation with the Executive, and the result was that he could offer no suggestion. He asked if he (Mr Bain) was prepared with any suggestions. He (the Chairman) replied that if there was no other way he thought something might be done by selling the Coal Reserve. Mr Bentley adopted the same view, and gave as his opinion, that a large sum of money would be realised by these means. They then went into figures—a map of the town having been procured for the purpose. His Honor's estimate of the money that would be realised was from £ISOO to £2OOO, but Mr Bentley put it at £IO,OOO, and thought there would be no difficulty in selling at £lO per foot. He objected to that altogether, and Mr Curtis reminded Mr Bentley that was altogether out of the question, as the land would not be sold in the open market, but would be sold in Hokitika and elsewhere, subject to a fair valuation for the houses built on it. On being asked his opinion, he (the chairman) said that he did not think it would average more than £l, £1 10s, or at the very outside, £2 per foot, which would bring it up to about £ISOO or £2OOO, his Honor's estimate. That was the only means suggested of raising any money, his Honor not offering any hope of raising money in any shape. He (Mr Bain) then suggested that the Council should be called together, but his Honor did not concur in that course, as the Council could u ot raise money as they were disqualified bylaw from doing so. The onlymeans of meeting the difficulty, in his Honor's opinion, was retrenchment, and if that was gone into, it would emanate better from the Executive. Calling the Council together would he thought, be a useless expense. In reply he (the speaker) differed, for not only would such a step relieve his Honor of responsibility, but it would certainly be more satisfactory, if the matter was fully discussed in the Council, where it would be at least possible that some other mode ;of meeting the present difficulty might be suggested. That was then left as an open question, and his Honor would not say whether he would call the Council together or not. He said, however, that he would send Mr Blackett, the Provincial Engineer, down to report and make an examination, as soon as that gentleman returned to town, which would be in a few days. All he got from the Superintendent was that if it was the wish of the inhabitants of Westport that the coal reserve should be sold, and

the proceeds devoted to river bank protection, he would authorise the expenditure—that is, he would call the Council together to do so. His Honor could not sep any objection to this course. He (Mr Bain) explained that he could not speak definitely as to the wishes of the inhabitants; it was a bare suggestion of his own, but the Progress Committee would endeavour to ascertain the feeling of the public here, and inform his Honor; so that if the sale was determined, steps might be taken without delay. He impressed on the Executive the neces. sity there was for Mr Blackett to pay Westport a visit, in any case, for in the course of conversation, his Honor let drop a remark that when Mr Blackett heard of the damage, he said that £20,000 would be required to replace it, and do the work in an effective manner. This was more especially necessary as Mr Lowe's opinion varied so greatly, his estimate beiug from £IOOO to £SOOO, and it would be only proper that these gentlemen should confer on the subject, for if the cost would really be £20,000 it would be hopeless. His Honor promised that Mr Blackett shouldjeome, and that was about all the satisfaction got from him. There were one or two other matters he wa3 instructed to speak about. One was in reference to extending the proclamation against the removal of drift wood, to the Orawaite boundary. His Honor at once saw the necessity for the extension, and said he would take steps for carrying it out. Just before he left Nelson he saw him again, and he said the notice would appear in the next " Gazetted," and was then in the printer's hands, On asking for an extended track to Giles' Terrace, his Honor said it was useless to enter into the subject to any extent as they had no money. He (the chairman) enquired whether it could not be paid out of other votes. For instance, £2OOO was voted for the Caledonian track, and it cost only £938, and he asked if the balance would not be available. His Honor replied that it would not. It was voted for the Caledonian only, and it would be misappropriation to divert it into any other channel, even if they had fie money, which they had not. In reference to the Dog Act, his Houor said he had no objection to it being extended to Westport, and a copy of it was furnished for the use of the Committee. If, on looking over it, the Committee thought it would benefit this place, they could petition for its extension, and it would be done. These were the only subjects he was deputed to bring under his Honor's notice. He would be happy to give any further explanation on any points he had omitted to members desiring it. A rather long discussion on the position that the town was placed in, and the best means to adopt under the circumstances, took place, but it was eventually decided to postpone the discussion till Friday (this day) week, when Mr Blackett, who is expected in the Kennedy, will probably have inspected the work, and will be prepared either to modify or confirm his firdt 1 opinion.

We omitted to say Mr Bain said that the Provincial Secretary would pay Westport a visit next week. He also stated that every courtesy was shown by his Honor and the other members of the Provincial Executive, and. they evinced an evident and hearty desire to do all that lay in their power, but their financial position was such as wholly to incapacitate them from doing what they would wish.