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Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 194, 11 April 1867, Page 2

Foil tho first time in their history tho Nelson Sou.th-West Gold Fields are al.o.nt to be directly represented in the Provincial Legislature. Generous and liberal as the Nelson Government has been in its policy- to.waids this portion of its territory, and admirably as that policy has bceu earned out by the resident Commissioner, Mr Kynuevslcy, there can be no doubt of the advantages which the district may derive from direct representation, provided the inhabitants send suitable men to the (Council. It is fortunate that the gold lields members will take their places in the Council before the new Superintendent, Mr Curtis, will have had time to acton whatever line of policy lie may have chosen to) adopt regarding the South-West Goltt Fields. Mr Curtis nrnfi-'ssrs his indention to follow out the.

antecedents we should imagine the new Superintendent will need a wholesome pressure in the Council to induce him strictly to fulfil his professions. Mr Curtis is essentially a Nelson man—that is to say his interests and sympathies are all with the city, and it is not at ajl improbable that he will endeavor to signalise his term of office by an effort to confer more direct benefits from the gold fields on the city of Nelson than it has hitherto derived. The proposed West Coast railway is a measure which Mr Curtis has promised to carry out if possible, but it is very doubtful if he can succeed on the plan that has been sanctioned by the Council. If the proposed railway can be carried out without trenching on the current revenues of the province, there can be no possible objection to it — indeed it would be a splendid thing for the country ; but it would be the height of madness for the Government to undertake the responsibility, either of forming the line or giving- a guarantee of interest on its cost. Nelson is not iv a position to do either the one. or the oilier. Great as has been the expansion of its gold discoveries, and the consequent accession of revenue, every farthing is needed for the everyday neceSr sities of a newly peopled country. Without the gold fields Nelson would have no revenue -to expend on great works, so that there is a danger that the gold fields will bo called upon to pay for such ambitious schemes as wouldotherwise bo utterly beyond reach of fulfilment. We have heard it hinted by those well acquainted .with Mi; Curtis, that ho has already expressed ln's opinion that tlie expenditure on the West Coast has been too lavish— that the province has not. derived sneh substantial advantages from the gold fields as' it might have done, This opinion is popular in Nelson, and the new members for the South-West districts will have to go to the Council prepared to offer the most determined opposition to any variation from the policy initiated with so much success by Mr Saunders. And the various constituencies should be careful to send to the Council only such men as are most likely to carry weight in the Legislature. The Nelson gold fields are rapidly assuming a pre-emi-. nence, and it wonld be a great misfortune if their progress should be checked by a departure from that liberal course of government which has undoubtedly led to their present stage of development.