THE UPPER BULLER.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 728, 25 October 1870, Page 2

THE UPPER BULLER.

PUBLIC MEETING)

In our last issue we briefly referred to the meeting held at the Masonic Hall on Friday evening, and the various resolutions carried. We now furnish fuller details. Shortly after eight o'clock the chair was taken by Mr R. C. Reid, who said that it wa's his duty simply to state the object for which the meeting had been called. It was for the purpose of considering the prospects ot the Upper Buller district, and to devise means for securing, for Westport, the important and increasing business likely to result from the recent discoveries there. He would not prejudge or comment upon matters that were likely to be embodied in the resolutions that would be put to the meeting, but would content himself with saying, that the object of the meeting was one in which all alike were interested, and he attached much importance to nn expression of public opinion at a moment when the Superintendent of the Province was about to visit the Coast, after a shameful absence of three years. When he did arrive among them he trusted he would, on this occasion at least, be sufficiently impressed with the importance of the West Coast and of the Buller District to conclude that other than triennial visits were necessary, and also that the goldfields required something more than a merely nominal representative in the Executive. Without delaying the meeting further he would call upon those gentlemen, who were prepared with resolutions, to submit the same to the meeting. Mr Mttjtro, in moving the first resolution, —which was as follows : That having regard to the present indications of valuable discoveries at Murray's Creek and elsewhere, and the. daily increase of population in the Upper Buller District, it is incumbent upon the residents of Westport, by combined and persistent action, to secure for this port the large and increasing business certain to result from the develop" ment of the district named.

Said: I suppose that the principle of the resolution requires no comment. We havo before been startled in Westport by the discovery of nuggets in the Upper Buller District, and, as a matter of fact also, a expenditure has been already incurred by the prospectors of the Lyell Reef. You are also aware that a public company has been floated for the purpose of working a portion of these reefs ; and I am happy to say that the company has so far advanced that, I expect, in a few days, to register the company under the Limited Liability Act. Within the past two or three days we have, or rather should have been startled by numerous specimens of valuable quartz from Anderson's Creek. At Murray Creek also the quartz and cement workings promise to be of very great richness; and finally, as a matter of fact, there is known to bo a largo and daily increasing population employed in the quartz and alluvial workings of the Upper Buller and its tributaries. Having Bhown, I venture, to think, that there exists

sufficient inducements to awaken the energy and zeal of the townspeople of Westport, it would remain tor the meeting to express an opinion as to whether they agreed with this view. As an indication of the energy and promptness that have characterised the action of our Greymouth neighbors, I may mention that a company has been formed also at Murray Creek, and that this company, wit ha sufficient capital, was floated within twenty minutes after the meeting, and the total capital subscribed. Westport, on the other hand, had, with difficulty, subscribed in several months £2OOO for the purpose of enabling a first-class , reef to be worked. With the exception, however, of the Lyell—and the people of Westport cannot take to themselves any large amount of credit in connection with the opening of that district —web ave exhibited no enterprise and have not succeeded in discovering anything nor yet contributed any assistance towards these recent discoveries. 1, for my own part, am not inclined to regard lightly these discoveries at the Lyell and Inangahua. I cannot overlook the fact that the alluvial workings of South-West Nelson have presented an extent and richness unequalled in any other portion of the Colony, and any discovery likely to disclose that the Upper Euller is the matrix of these large and widely scattered gold deposits, will, I venture to think, be regarded as of some importance, even by the people of Westport. If we do not possess the energy necessary to discover or develop the sources of wealth that we possess, let us at least, when that has been accomplished for us by the zeal and perseverance of others, show that we possess the busiuess acumen to j take advantage of our unmerited good fortune. For the past two or three years we have been exchanging compliments with Nelson ; the Nelsonites have been dessribsd as the inhabitants of a " sleepy hollow," but the torpor of the denizens of Westport inclines me to the belief that, if not tarred with the same brush, we are at any rate affected with the same distemper. It may be urged, however, that the advantages of constructing a road, placing Westport in connection with these newly opened districts is so apparent that agitation is unnecessary, and that the Greymouth people are obliged to agitate, in order to secure a privilege at the expense of Westport, to which they are not in reality entitled. The Grey River Argus is continually spurriug on the people of that locality to spare no effort to secure to that port the advantages accruing from a large and prosperous tuitiing cKctrtet, and in so doing, that journal refers repeatedly to the vigilance and promptitude displayed by the people of Westport. However flattering and gratifying such notice would be, if true, I regret to say that our townspeople have in no way merited such a direct testimony to their zeal and energy, and until the present meeting, when I may indeed congratulate those present, and the conveners of the meeting, in the spirit of watchfulness that appears to have arisen, I feel that we deserved rather the severest censure for our slothful indifference to all matters affecting the material prosperity of the district. That the Greymouth people have evinced a most praiseworthy spirit of enterprise, which ia worthy of the utmost commendation, and which we should do well to imitate, must be cordially admitted, and I have reason to believe that they have gone even further than this. I believe, that when the machinery was required for one of the claims at the Murray reef, it was suggested that the proper route for its conveyance was from Westport, but that the contractor wa3 tied down to convey it from Greymouth, and the additional cost of transit by that route was met by the people putting their hands in their pockets and defraying the extra expense. You will see, therefore, to what an extent the public spirit of the people of G-rey-mouth carries them, since rather than that port should lose its prestige, and that the large population that are likely to be attracted to these reef?, both from the neighboring provinces and beyond the seas, should regard Greymouth as the most suitable port of ■ arrival or departure, and the proper source from which to derive their supplies, we find a few prominent citizens contributing a very considerable sum. It remaius, therefore, for the merchants of Westport, and the large numbers engaged in the up-river carrying trade, who will benefit very considerably from this port being placed in communication with these workings, to prove to the Government that all necessaries required by the miner can be more advantageously supplied from Westport, and it is then the duty of the Government, when convinced of these facts —and I venture a confident opinion that they are irrefutable—to consider the interests of tho consumers. I am of opinion, and I believe all. must concur with me, that a great injustice is being done to the miners. Consider the enormous disadvantage under which they at present pursue their vocation in the Upper Buller—the cost of water carriage to Inanguhua Landing is £l4 per ton, and the conveyance of goods from thence by packhorses to the adjacent gilllies is from £l4 to £2O. Yet the gratifying fact remains that in spite of these terrible burdens upon labor, numbers are successful in earning a good livelihood. This evidence of 'the valuo of the alluvial workings, 'and specimens of quartz recently exhibited —specimens which I am satisfied in

any other place thau W< stporfc would have creatad a fever of excitement, and have immediately led to the capital being subscribed for every reefing claim in the district —should suffice to arouse your best exertions in securing an easy communication with this district. With these remarks, gentlemen, I have much pleasure in moving the first resolution.

Mr HuMPnnEY seconded, and the motion was unanimously carried. Mr W. Pitt rose to move the second resolution and said : —Mr Chairman and gentlemen, I have been entrusted with the second resolution, which I shall read to you, and which you are asked to affirm. The motion is as follows: —

That seeing the strenuous exertions of the residents of the Grey to secure the trade of the Upper Buller district, and with a view to counteract these exertions, it is desirable to impress upon the attention of his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson the following facts: — 1. The great facilities presented by the Buller and Inangahua for water carriage, and the comparative ease and moderate cost necessary to construct a suitable road from the river to the reefs already described.

2. The very considerable expense and the much longer and more circuitous route which would be involved in making suitable communications from the Grey. 3. The loss to the Province of Nelson upon dutiable goods which would be incurred by encouraging the diversion of trade towards Greymouth—a loss which would be saved if proper steps be taken to make available the obvious advantages presented by Westport, as the natural channel for supplying these rising communities.

I feel that I should offer au explanation of the postponement of this meeting on "Wednesday eveuing. I am not aware that my inability to attend that evening should have been any sufficient reason for au adjournment. However, as one of the conveners of that meeting, I feel it due to myself and to you to apologise for my unavoidable absence owing to indisposition In other respects T have no reason to regret the short delay, as it has enabled me to confer with those who were competent to present fully the advantages presented by Westport as a source of supply to the rich and rising districts of the Upper Buller, Lyell, and Inangahua, showing to my mind, and I hope to you, the vast commercial benefits that would result from the opening of these districts. If by constructing a road, a cheap and effective means of conveying supplies to these workings, and if these advantages can be obtained in a greater degree by making this communication from Westport than from Grreymouth or elsewhere, the gain to us must bo manifest, and to the miner also, as being the quickest and cheapest route for obtaining supplies. As a matter of proof that these advantages are to be gained in having Westport as a basis of communication, I shall state facts supplied to me on very excellent authority. These facts will be laid before the. Superintendent. Looking at the advantages in a selfish point of view, the consideration is primarily the attraction of the trade of these districts to "Westport. The first fact, which admits neither of dispute nor argument, is that these workings are nearer to us than to Grey mouth, and that embraces the question as to the facilities for traffic presented by the two routes. By reference to plans, and from conversation with parties competent to furnish the fullest and most reliable information, I have gathered the following facts with regard to the distances from the various points, and the conformation of the country. I find that the entire traverse from Westport to the Murray Creek workings is 50-55 miles, and as it would bo preferable to base the calculations on an outside computation, let us say 55 miles, as against 70 miles from Cobdon or Greymouth. The advantage lying with Westport, as comparing the relative total distances is in no way depreciated on comparing the relative facilities of the two routes for the cheap and efficient transit of machinery or supplies. Of the 55 miles from Westport to Murray's there is water communication available for 50 miles for machinery, and for ordinary merchandise for at least 38 miles. In respect to the greater distance by which machinery may be carried by water, I may explain that the last twelve miles would present greater difficulties of carriage which, though not profitably available to the freight of stores and merchandise offering no difficulty in packing, might nevertheless be very advantageously used in the transit of ponderous and unwieldy machinery, which to pack would cost a most disproportionately high rate. According to the above facts there would only be five miles of land carriage for machinery, and for ordinary merchandise 17 miles from the Inangahua Landing to the present site of operations. A very short distance of road would, therefore, be necessary in order to place Westport in direct and easy communication with the workings. A good track, suitable for easy packing would cost but a small sum. The figures are based upon professional judgment, and I have it on very reliable authority, that the cost would not exceed £IOOO, and for a, dray road about £2OOO. I am also able to state that there are no engineering difficulties whatever. I do not Bay this from my individual experience, but I rely upon the judgment of those who are far more competent than myself to form au accurate opinion, and I am sure there are numbers present who are in the habit of traversing the Inangahua Valley, and who will consequently bo in a position to endorse the general correctness of my statomonts.

I am in for inod that, where any devi ations of the crack would be necessary the gradients are very easy; that th< bush to be traversed is light, partakinj rather of low scrub than of heav] timber, and that these facilities are sup plemeuted by the existence of opei flatu and flats encumbered with very light ecrub. —(A voice: A tramway would not cost much). We will now review the facilities presented by the route from Greymouth as a means o. communication. Thß entire distance we fiud to be 70 miles, and of this onlj only 29 miles is by water, which, in i low state of the river, is reduced tc 20 miles, leaving a land carriage of 5( miles as against 17 miles and 5 mile: via AVestport. The cost of repairing the present track, which has become almost impassable, to say nothing o new extensions, would cost £9OO tc £IOOO or nearly as much as the form atiou of 17 miles of track from tin Inangahua Lauding to Murray's. Ii order to shorten the distance and tc do away with the disparity the Grey mouth peoplo wish to lessen the lane carriage to 27 miles, and to accom plish this they propose to construct; track which will cost £IOOO. The engineering difficulties attending it: execution would be considerable three small ranges would have to bi crossed, rising about 500 feet above the surrounding country, the tracl would run through a heavily timberec country, aud when completed there would still remain the insuperable dis parity of 27 miles of land carriage as against 17 miles, and, in some instances only 5 miles by the Inangahua route On the principle that he gives twice who gives quickly, let us urge upoj the Government to adopt a coursi without delay which presents ever recommendation and is at once certaii to advantage the miner and ourselves The loss of trade aud revenue, in the event of any alteration in the bound aries of the Province of Nelson tha would result from all dutiable good; being supplied to these workings frou Grreynioutli, is certainly only inci iental but is, nevertheless, ;i make weight, and so long a3 the systeir abtains of dividing the Consolidatet Revenue between the Colonial anc Provincial Governments it is verj dearly the interest of the Provincial 3-overnmeut of Nelson, having due re jard to the interests of the consumer ;o encourage the trade of a port witl; vhieh they are fully identified, since fou are mostly aware, the receipts ol Consolidated Revenue of the port ol 3-reymouth, or at least, the Provincial mare of these receipts have been jqually divided between the Province rf Nelson and the County of Westlaud. As stated by Mr Munro, I have reason to believe that it was originally intended by the Murray Creek Quartz Mining Company to call for tenders, at Westport and Greymouth simultaneously, for the delivery of the machinery it the reel's, and that ultimately it was iecided to carry it via Greymouth, the extra cost being defrayed by the people of Greymouth. Our neighbors certainly give us credit for exertions which we do not deserve. They also charge our District Engineer with Westport proclivities, and Dr Giles md the Nelson Government with being unduly biassed in favor of Westport. All present will, I think, freely acquit the Nelson Government of the exercise of any favoritism towards Westport, aud not alone that, but of liaving ever evinced a desire to consider the very reasonable requirements af this important portion of the Province. I trust that you will not rest 3atisfied with limiting your exertions to this meeting, and passing resolutions ; tliat you will not spasmodically, but consistently and with combined fiction, urge the importance of this question. The advantages on the oue band are so paramouut, presenting, as [ trust I have succeeded in showing that Westport is the natural source of supply for these districts, that she possesses every facility for cheaply aud efficiently furnishing them with supplies, that whatever difficulties exist tro with Greymouth only, and that even if the latter port, by the construction of costly roads, succeeded in esseniug the existing disparity, she vould still prove unable to compete successfully \vitk this port. It rests n your hands, gentlemen, by endorsng these resolutions, to enable an era)odiment of your seutiments to be aid before the Executive of the Province. (Applause.) Mr J. Powell seconded the resolu;ion.

Mr 0 Conor would beg leave to move as an amendment that all reference to Greymouth should lie expunged from the resolution. He did not consider it politic to pit themselves against Greymouth. He thought ife unwise to struggle with the Government as to how the Upper Buller should be brought into commuuication with the sea-board. The matter would be duly considered by competent persons, and their recommendation would influence the Executive iu dealing fairly with the question. It was not, bo thought, for them to reproach Greymouth for any attempt alio might make to open up communication with her outlying districts. The fact of our desiring to obtain a road up the Inangahua bad nothing to do with the question as to whether or not Greymouth was entitled to certain tracks being made. He objected to any attempt being made to infuse a spirit of rivalry and jealousy, when what they desired might be accomplished without reference to any such feelings. Mr Btrc.li seconded the amendment. Mr Wiiyte trusted that tho resolution would be carried unanimously.

He did not think it was necessary to consult the wishes of the Grey mouth people, neither did ho see that the Btcps they were taking could really prejudice Greymouth. It was, however, very necessary to tako some action, since if their neighbors succeeded with their representations, and theii road was made, it would require a good deal of money, and leave nothing for Westport. In that case the Government would, as usual, admit the urgency of our case, promise ,the earliest possible attention, and shelve the matter on the customary ground—want of funds. As far as he had been able to gather, not alone was the proposed road in the last degree necessary, but the Inanguhua route offered every possible advautage —a long water carriage, a short distance to be traversed by land, and that short distance offering no engineer-

nig difficulties whatever. For the sake of the district, aud to strengthen

the bands of those to wham would be entrusted the duty of lining the matter before the Government, he

hoped that the resolution would be carried unanimously. If the Government had not the money, they should obtain it by loan, lie was certain that if such a work were required in order to connect Nelson with any newly opened district, the money would be forthcoming, even if the connection promised to be of very inferior importance as compared with the case before them.

Mr Mukbo would desire to say a few words in respect to the amendment. The mover of the amendment had stated that it was desirable that no animosity should be shown in the matter towards the people of Greymouth. So far from any animosity having been shown, he contended that the action taken by them evinced a proper, respectful, becoming, and healthy spirity of emulation, that should commend itself to any reasonable man. Surely their neighbors could not construct their action into a cause of war. Is'oue would deprecate more strongly than himself any feeling of antagonism, and when the mover

of the amendment rose and addressed them in the way he had, he was overwhelmed with astonishment. He was momentarily amazed to find that Mr O'Conor, of all men, was desirous of promoting good feeling and unanimity, and these christian-like sentiments had been no sooner expressed than Mr O'Conor threw amongst them the bone of contention and the seeds of discord. He regarded the amendment as "vexatious and most paltry affectation. So far from their having attempted to cast obloquy upon the Greymouth people, each speaker had referred in the most complimentary terms to their zeal, intelligence, and perseverance.

Mr O'Conor here ro3e to reply, when it was contended that the right of reply rested only with the mover of the resolution. After some litile altercation, the chairman decided that Mr O'Conor might proceed.

Mr O'Coxoit: It is a very little matter after all; merely a question of rigiit aud wrong. All 1 desired was, that in framing the resolution you should take a wider view of the subject, than that because Greymouth agitated Westport got up a counter agitation. Now, with respect to the large sum— I think about £2OO was stated—that is alleged to have been paid by a few men to demonstrate to the remainder of the Colony that G-reymouth was nearer to the reef than was Westport, I must say I do not believe the man believed it who said it, and I ask any one of you if you have sufficient credulity to believe it either. Mr Mu.n-ro appealed to the chair. He had made that statement upon authority which, ho had stated to the meeting, he believed to be reliable. Mr O'Coxor : Since Mr Munro has stated that he believes the incident I will not contradict him. All I can say is that, if the people of Greymouth did such a thing, they acted very im properly, as the interest of the entire community demands that the cheapest aud most _ efficient communication should ba given to the various centres of population. I object also to the manner in which this'matter has been introduced. It has arisen in a little circle composed of Mr Pitt and two or three other of his friends, and they now wish to spread it. Now, Mr Pitt may be very well in Court, he may have it all his own way there, but at a public meeting he is no better than any other person. _ I must press my amendment. All I wish you to do is to put yourselves in a rospectable position, and to stand upon higher ground than to seek an advantage, apparently less for the sake of your district than that you may deprive G-reymouth of any advantage. Yon must bear this in mind that, if you do get a road, G-reyrnouth can make another. A. good deal has been said about papers. I do not believe in them. Tiiey write to order, and just as solf-intorest dictates. I do not approve of their pitting oue place against another—first dragging in jealousies bet-ween Wostport°and Charleston, and then with Greymouth. It is neither becoming nor good policy Mr Pitt: The last speaker has said it did not matter who had the reply, all I can say is that if it were to him of no moment ho has been guilty of acting in a very frivolous mannor, and if lie had no respect for himself he should, at least, have had some consideration for your time, bavin" uselessly <]6layod the meeting for a full.half hour. Ho referred to my merits na a public speaker, unnecessarily and with a customary absence of good tasto or decency to the

privileges that I exercise in my profession. We are not all factitious politicians, nor yet have we thea advantages possessed by Mr O'Conor. His connection with the legislative body of this Province must have offered rare opportunities for the display of his oratorical powers, aud, among the many exhibitions that disgraced the last session of the Council, no actor, I venture to think, tilled a more prominent though dubious position than the very honorable member for the Buller, Mr O'Conor. Beyond the seconder of the amendment, who hesitatingly came forward, lest the meeting should lose the benefit of Mr O'Conor's address, I do not think one in this assemblage but believes that the opposition on the part of Mr O'Conor ia duo to auy other than a factious and splenetic spirit. The seconder, in having afforded Mr O'Conor anotheropportunityof demonstrating these amiable qualities, deserves our best thanks. In the most tortuous and mischievous manner he has attempted to misconstrue the object of the resolution, and the remarks of those who have spoken to it. Instead of reproach the whole tenor of the remarks of the various speakers has been to express adrnirat'on of the public spirit that actuated the people of G-reymouth, aud I can arrive at no other conclusion than that in his remarks Mr O'Conor has been actuated by that perverse and malignant spirit of opposition, which justifies me in calling him the irrepressible element of antagonism. I can only regard it as a most affected opposition. Is it because I have, in the exercise of a public duty, to attack my brother professional that I theremust differ with him on every point, and carry the same spirit of opposition into our daily social intercourse ? Is it because I have, in my duty to a client, to appear in hostility to his adversary —subjecting him to possibly unmerited reproach, but in other instances, some of which must be fresh in your memories, inflicting a richly deserved castigatioh—that I must therefore for ever cherish a rancorous spirit towards him ? The action we are now taking with respect to Grreymouth partakes much of the same character, and it is Mr O'Conor, not this meeting nor they who have addressed it, who would seek to introduce a spirit of enmity. This idea of jealousy and opposition exists only, I am sure, in the disordered imagination of Mr O'Conor, who reminds me most forcibly of Triptolemus Muddlework who detected treason in the squeak of every pig or the steam from the boiling of every pot of potatoes in the village. Our sole desire in calling thi3 meeting was to educate the people to a eertain point. We neither sought to drag up jealousies between Charleston and here, or between G-rcymouth and here. The insidious suggestion comes only from Mr O'Conor, and it may answer his purpose, on the verge of another election, to sow the seeds and fan the flame of discord for the purpose of gaining votes in the Grey district. If that is the object I trust they will not allow the dust—the very small dust—to be thrown in their eyes, and cast aside the implication that Westport desires other than the prosperity of every portion of the Nelson Goldiields.

The amendment was then put, two voting for it, and the original resoluwas carried.

Mr J. B. Fishee, in moving the following resolution—

That a Committee bs appointed to embody the above resolutions, and to present or transmit the same to his Honor the Superintendent, and to adopt such other measures as they may think necessary for carrying out the objects of this meeting. Such Committee to consist of Messrs Reid, Pitt, Munro, Corr, Skeahan, Bailie, and Fisher.

Said : that the motion that had been entrusted to him partook rather of an administrative character. He referred to the necessity of showing, that they were fully determined to have the advantages, which rightly belonged to them from the opening of communication with the Upper Buller. They must have a road, if they made it themselves, and he would even go further and suggest a tramway, which might b3 constructed at a cost of £3OOO to £4OOO. As it was, the Lyell, Murray, and Upper Buller miners regarded "Westport as their natural source of supply ; the best of feeling oxisted between this population and the people of Westport, and their mutual interests and proclivities favored a communication with Westport rather than with Greymouth. They were actuated only by-a proper spirit of emulation, and so were the people of G-reyuiouth. It was the duty of each district to do the best they could to secure its advancement, and, while they must concede to the Grey every credit for the efforts they bad made and the public spirit they had shown, it should only render the Westport people more alive to the fact, that active watchfulness was necessary on their part not to be outstripped by their enterprising neighbors. Mr WnrTEßeconded the resolution, Which was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated tho proceedings.