THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE AND THE PUBLIC.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 171, 16 February 1867, Page 2

THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE AND THE PUBLIC.

(To the Editoi; of .the Grey [River Argus.) Si K—-I haijpencd- to be)preseufcat the public meeting held on Thuysday evening at^he Religioiw Institution , Rooms in thi^ to\yn, and .oh that, as on several previous- occasions, I was struck by tlie assertion on the part of Mr Revell, that M AyaS present on behalf of the Provincial Gdverumeiitj hf ' Canterbury. Mr.Reyell, however," has never mentioned in what capacity he' acts. Under these circiunstauces, aud wliilst lamenting my ignoraucor t I may be allowed publicly to ask. f or.infonn«^J tiou on this ; head. It certainly appears! strange that no. meeting of whatever description can. be held iii Greymouth Avithout'the I >patern.al solicitude of the Goyernment being made : manifest by the presence of an autho-rised-agent, actinfr on their account. It seems in : particular strange thkt theproceedingsof the Improvement Committee could not bediscussed by the public withoutthesanieun-, #ortunate influence being brought tobear.upon tlie- meetings ; and it appears stemget still that good taste does not restrain some people from making this town an exception to every other on the West Coast or. iii . New Zealand in this respect. It is usually believed that the duties of Reskleut Magistrate's and Warden's are to act in a judicial capacity, to furnish reports concerning their districts, and to advise the Govern lnenfc regarding the: .-■■ requirements of the iiUiabitaiits. I have n'eyer I heard that taking: .part in discussion which in. no way concern;, them must likewise be enumerated among tjieir necess«afy labwrs; At all events I can see ,th.afc much evil may arise from this . course pursued^ and Avith nianv otheig.couceiA^ that i.t would be better to allo^ the public to decide through their Improveinbiit Committee Avhat they desire. To allow the Warden to report favorably 'or unfa.vora.bly 'to the Executive on the subject slibiiild government assistance be requii-ed, a.udib save usifrjiri the evibarras de riche-sses wiuchthe remarkably consistent remarks and cxplanatisiia of puv Magistrate oecabionaly subjects us to. — I am, &c, '-■ ' L. S, D,