WESTPORT PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 491, 15 April 1869, Page 2

WESTPORT PROGRESS COMMITTEE.

The Progress Committee met on Tuesday. The members present were Messrs Humphrey (in the chair), i Field, Milne, Leslie, O'Conor, and Hughes, with Mr Bullen, lion, secre- , tary. THE PEOPOSED GLADSTONE STEEET WIIAEF. The Chairman intimated that the ' meeting had been called specially for the purpose of considering whether any steps should bo taken with regard ; to the application made by Messrs ' M'Leod and Morey for protection for . a wharf at the end of Gladstone street, and for a certain scale of wharfage charges. Several of the merchants in ! town had spoken to him on the matter, , not only with regard to the scale of . charges, which was higher than the Government scale, but with reference also to the circumstance that, in the event of Separation being secured, the local Government would be deprived of a certain source of revenue. It , would be for the Committee to consider whether they should oppose the \ application or not. Air Leslie inquired if the Government had not the right of re-purchas-ing the wharf at valuation. Mr Field believed that one of the clauses of the graut was to that effect. Mr O'Conoe did not see how they could reasonably oppose the application. If the applicants made any excessive charges, they would not be patronised, and the evil would cure itself. There were already three other wharves, and, if their charges were excessive, there could be little doubt as to the consequences. As to the question of revenue to the Government, he scarcely thought that objection could be maintained. He doubted the enterprise would barely pay the projectors. So long as no other party were prevented from erecting a wharf in the vicinity, he did not see why it should not be granted. The Committee should not object to an enterprise which would afford greater facilities to the commerce of the place. Mr Hughes could not see how fault could be found, unless it was in the event of exorbitant charges made. _ Captain Leech and others did not think the situation a very suitable one, the best places being higher up the river, but that was a matter affecting the interests of the projectors only, and he did not see why the Committee should interfere. Mr Humphrey objected to monopoly of any sort, and ho considered that it would be found, by any Government which would succeed Separation, that the taking up of the best of the river frontage with private wharves was an injurious monopoly. Mr Hughes thought that, if the Government -would not expend any money, they should not discourage private enterprise. Steamers whose ownersdid not like to pay lOsa day could lie alongside the bank, but he thought the charge reasonable enough. Besides a wharf at that particular point would be a great protection to the river bank. If the Government or others built wharves afterwards, and i charged at a lower rate, they would necessarily be patronised. Meantime, they should be glad to see the river : hank taken up. J i

Mr Milne mentioned that already another Bite had been granted. A site near Bright Btreet had been granted, eight months ago, by Mr Kynnersley to Mr Garvin. Mr O'Conor thought the erection of wharves would remove one of the Government's difficulties. They would not be called upon to put up any jetties, but simply to put up a wingdam to protect the bank and the works upon it. It might be the place of Mr Humphrey, Mr Powell, and other large importers, to take steps in the direction of reducing the charges, but, as the Progress Committee, they should rather encourage the enterprise of private persons. If the commercial men of the place saw any grounds of complaint, they had the same means of redress as the Committee.

The Chairman thought the Committee had, on a previous occasion, taken steps in a matter of private enterprise.

Mr O'Conor : Not private enterprise ; a private speculation. Mr Field, in reply to a question from Mr Leslie, said he understood that Mr M'Leod's lease contained a clause as to re-purchase. He thought it probable that the charges would be reduced in course of time, but they were not too high for a beginning. Mr Hughes believed Mr M'Leod was the only man in town, or on the coast, who could build a proper wharf. He was sure that if he were but in Mr Blackett's place, he would have much better ideas of river protection than that gentleman possessed. He was a man thoroughly up in his business, and ought to be encouraged. Mr Leslie suggested that, before any grant were given, importers and storekeepers should submit a scale of charges. After some further conversation, it was agreed that at present no steps should be taken in the matter. GRANT OF LAND AT WAIiIONGOEOA. Mr O'Conor said he wished to draw attention to what might really be called a private speculation, and one which intimately concerned the people of this district. He had heard, on credible authority, that a large quantity of ground at the Waimongoroa had been applied for and granted. He had been informed that as much as l-i,OOO acres had been granted, and if such a large tract of country were thusdisposed of,theconsequences would be alarming. It was, he understood, applied for purely with a view to farming, but it was creating a monopoly in laud which it was their duty to oppose. Mr Leslie understood that the ground was auriferous. Mr O'Conor moved:—"That the Secretary be requested to apply by letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Nelson, for information as regards grants of land in quantity in this neighborhood, as also the respective localities in which such lauds are situated, and the purposes for which they nave been granted." The Commissioner, Mr Daniels, was a very courteous gentleman, and would, he had no doubt, furnish the information. Mr Milne seconded the motion. If what Mr O'Conor had stated was the case, it was the most injurious thiug to this district that had ever been done. The tract of country referred to was a splendid pastoral" district, but there was also gold throughout and arouud it. At an early day a good goldficld might be proved to exist at that very place, and it was probable that there would be a repetition of the Stoney Lead arrangement—there would be no end of litigation. Mr O'Conor had been told that, in the locality referred to, there was a large tract of country which, at trilling expense, could be made fit for the plough.

Mr Milxe spoke from his own knowledge of the district, having had the pleasure of carrying his swag over it.—[Mr O'CojsOß : A doubtful pleasure, that.]— Stock put upon it would in throe months surpass in the country. By cutting a track thousands of acres might be made available, and at an expense of £SO any number of cattle might be kept on it without trouble. It was a large pakihi, but dry, and with fine soil overgrown with rich grass. AH round it, there were terraces in which gold and black sand were found. Very few persons, however, knew of its existence. Fourteen thousand acres of country in such a district as this was a large area to grant. Mr Leslie : Very nearly thirty-two square miles.

The motion was agreed to ; and the meeting was adjourned.