The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 757, 20 October 1876, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1876.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

It seems a great pi tv now that Abolition is an accomplished fact to find such men as Mr Macandrew and Sir George Grey still protesting against the measure being applicable to their respective Provinces. As to Sir G. Grey lie must be in his second dotage when lie telegraphs to England to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the people of New Zealand are likely to take up arms in defence of Provincialism. Mr Macandrew in his English telegram did not go so far as this, still, from his words in the House of Assembly, it is verv clear that he possessed similar views as Sir G Grev, but had good sense enough not to heap ridicule upon himself by givingexpression to them to the Secretary of State. Nothing can he more ridiculous than to suppose that the people, of New Zealand, or even a very small section of it, would take up arms in defence of Provincialism, or their constituted rights ns Messrs Grey and Macandrew choose to call them Excepting a few prejudiced old Identities, who for a long series of years have fattened upon Provincial plunder. the people of the country would rather be more willing to take up arms against Provincialism than in support of it, but there is no possibility of such an issue being tried, still, were, such to 1 o the case, the Provincial party would find themselves fearfully outnumbered Sir G. Grey and Mr Macandrew and the other leaders of the Provincial party have vdaved a verv foolish game, and had they have-acted wisely, thev m'ght have obtained some con c Rs’ons, but alas, they knew rot what, they wanted, their comprehensions went no further than “the whole hog er none,” and now being the conquered partv, they must, accept such conditions as Gi® conquerors choose to give them The Provincial party have not only made themse'ves ridiculous in tfao eyes of everybody, but have

made tlie Colony look ridiculous; also, while they certainly have not improved its credit—for who would lend us money whilo such fanatics hold the sway 1 There is no escape now from the GoUnty system in its worst form, that of a largo number of Counties, when less would have been sufficient; our business is therefore to face the difficulty, and make the best of the situation by preparing for the work which we must-soon :ake in hand It must be borho in 'mind that /before the Counties are properly constituted, a very great deal of hard work and hard thinking will require to be done, and to got a number of men together competent to'form a Council will beno easy matter, more especially at the start, when a great deal of practical good sense will be required, and this means work, not words. The matter of first forming the County Councils is one which ’people should give their earnest consideration to, Vincent as this will be called, embraces a very large area of country, while its population, has very mixed interests, and the sooner they are up and stirring in the matter of their future form of self government the move they will be advantaged. For the County we would recommend its division into six ridings—First,—The important mining and agricultural districts of Wai E>ri Keri, Tiger Hill, Lauder Hundred, and the rich diggings of Tinkers, &c. ; Second,—Spear Grass Flat, ami the West bank of the Molyneux would make another important riding; Third, All the country on the South side of the Manuhorikia, to include Blacks Ida Valley, Serpentine, <&c.; Fourl hj, —Tim Nevis; fifth, —The Garrick and Bannockburn, and the sixth, the Upper Clutha. The first three of these, not only in addition to their gold mines, possess extensive agricultural areas, and are in reality the growers ot the district, and wo should imagine capable of sending good men to represent them and their very important interests. We would suggest names respectively as follows:—l ander, Eui’nscleugh, Ida, Nevis, Garrick and Kawarau Such a division would very fairly represent the district, and prevent any clashing of interests, The next question for consideration is the number of Councillors to be returned by population basis rather than upon an i acreage one, but this is a matter for after consideration. The real fact that we must form a council is the first matter to be dealt with.