THE GREYMOUTH SEPARATIONISTS AT COBDEN.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 504, 15 May 1869, Page 2

THE GREYMOUTH SEPARATIONISTS AT COBDEN.

A public meeting, under the auspices of the Separation Committee, having been convened at Hamilton's Hotel, Cobden, for Wednesday, a number of Greymouth gentlemen, including Messrs W. H. Harrison, M.H.E., Perkins, Kennedy, Sheedy, Parkinson, and others attended. The Grey River Argus reports the meeting in the following manner and spirit:— The meeting was called for eight o'clock, and at that time the Greymouth visitors sat waiting, in the snug parlor of Host Hamilton, for the mustering of the Cobdenites. At half-past eight none of the denizens of the city of Cobden had put in an appearance, and it became evident that it was desirable for the Greymouth visitors to assume the initiative and take their places in the room appropriated to the meeting. Accordingly the genial influences of the fire and excellent toddy of the landlord were exchanged for the less comfortable condition of the long room. There, however, the assembled public (consisting exclusively of some dozen

Greymouth folks) had to wait for what appeared to be an indefinite period for the appearance of the Cobden inhabitants. The question arose as to i whether there were any inhabitants at < all, but this idea was dispelled by the i furtive appearance of certain heads, the I anxious eyes of which peered for a moment into the room and then disappeared. Here was a fix :—a public meeting and no public! At last it ; was proposed that two of the most j athletic persons in the room should go out into the highways and hedges and " compel them to come in." But this coup was only partially successful, one solitary (and he looked so) individual falling a victim to the prowess of the emmissaries. He, however, although compelled vi et armis to." come in," went out as speedily as possible, the possibility occurring just at the time the backs of his captors were turned against him. Another lull, and then it was proposed that those present should propose to carry their own resolutions; but this was overruled, and the end was an adjournment sine die. It having transpired, however, that the " cocks of the walk " of Cobden—all with white feathers in their tails—had assembled at Wilkie's store, three or four of the Greymouth visitors wended their way thither. On arriving there a desultory argument arose on the question that was intended to have been calmly discussed, and it was elicited that the residents of Cobden had no further objection to the alteration proposed, except that they feared the railway from the coal mine would be made on the Greymouth side of the river. Seriously, it is to be regretted that the inhabitants of Cobden refused to listen to, and at least endeavour to refute the arguments which would have been advanced in favor of the new County. At any rate they cannot accuse the Greymouth Committee of any want of courtesy in the matter.