MEETING OF THE PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 397, 7 November 1868, Page 4

MEETING OF THE PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

The usual meeting of the Progress Committee was held last evening at the Court House, when there were present, Messrs Bain (chairman), Alcorn, Milne, Field, Hughes, and Humphrey. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE — From the Provincial Secretary, alluding to the Chairman's late visit to Nelson, and i*eferring the Committee to him for particulars of what passed at that time. From the Under Secretary at "Wellington, acknowledging receipt of letter reporting the formation of a Progress Committee in Westport. Both these tetters were received. THE RIVER BANK PROTECTION. The Chairman reminded the Committee that the discussion on the above head had been postponed till that evening. Mr. Blackett had not arrived as expected, but a telegram had been received statins: that he would be down by the first boat. The chief action, he thought, was to ascertain whether the residents on the Coal Eeserve were favorable to its sale or not, prior to asking the Government to sell it. A rather prolonged discussion ensued on this subject, the general feeling apparently being that some action should be taken, that the reserve should be sold, and that no delay should take place. The idea of offering a premium for the best plan for river bank protection was mooted, but nothing definite was arrived at.

Mr. Alcorn eventually moved that Messrs Field and Humphrey and the mover, be requested to go round to the section-holders on the Coal Reserve, witb a view to ascertain the feeling in reference to the sale at an upset price, and that the sub-com-mittee report to the Committee at their next meeting. Mr. Milne seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. It was also arranged that a deputation, consisting of Messrs Hughes and Milne, should be appointed to wait on Mr Blackett on his arrival in Westport, and make arrangements for a meeting with the Committee. ' COAL LEASES. The Chairman said that some misconception had arisen in reference to coal leases, granted to persons in connection with the coal-field. When in Nelson he had seen Mr. Daniels, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and had ascertained that no leases whatever had been granted to any one, and that the whole of the coalfields were open to any one who chose to treat with the Government. The only one who held aiy lease whatever was Mr Dreyer, who held what was termed a prospecting lease, under the Waste Lands Act, of a few hundred acres at Id per acre per annum. This lease extended over two years, and the

two years hud nearly expired. With that exception the whole of the land on the Buller was open to be worked. This was a fact that could not be too widely known. At the time he saw Mr Daniels he was furnished with a lot of papers on the subject, which he should be happy to show, and afford any other information on the subject. TOSTIL ARRAjtfaEjrEXTS. Mr Field, as one of the Committee appointed to enquire into this subject reported that they had seen Mr vVinstanley, the postmaster here, who had informed them that all that was requisite was topetition the Postmaster-General to make Westport a port of call If this was done, the prayer would in all yrobaoihty be granted, and the Panama boats would then call for mails and deliver them. All that had to be done was to pr OV ,de a tender for these boats ;■ t0 a question, Mr Field said that if Westport was declared a port of call, the mail boats would have to call at each trip. Mr Alcorn as one of the Committee suggested that the fact of from 120,000 to 130,000 letters being despatched annually from this port, should be mentioned m the me norial. , the motion of Mr Milne, seconded by Mr Humphrey, it was resolved that Messrs Fjeld, Alcorn, and the mover be appointed to draw up the memorial, obtain signatures, and forward it to the Postmaster-General. Mr Alcorn said that the Finance Committee could not bring up a report in consequence of the absence of Mr Powell at Hokilika. The Chairman begged to inform the Committee that, owing to business engagements and his probable absence from the Buller for some time, he would be compelled to resign his position as Chairman. He might remain some time, still as his stay was uncertain he thought it better to resign at once. Many of the members expressed their regret at this announcement, after which the resignation was recorded. This concluded the business of the meeting, which then adjourned.