THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Volume IV, Issue 268, 1 October 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1867.

That the Westland County Bill is purely a provisionali^ineasure. has re ceived further confirmation. In reply to a telegram forwarded to the Hon. J. C. Richmond, a message -has been received stating that the "Couuty Bill is strictly provisional, and will not interfere with the Annexation of the Grey District to Nelson, or of making a second County north of the Teremakau. {Separation must first be secured, and the reconstruction can be arranged afterwards.'' Mr Eichmond adds that the wishes of the people of this district will be brought before the Legislature. Further communications were made yesterday, and the Government are now thoroughly aware of the public feejing in, tljis district. In our last we expressed pur fears pf the machinery proposed' by the Bill for u dministering the affairs pf the County, •

On what*sort of basis is the Council oi nine^or rather of eight, for one is to be a nominee— to be formed ? Is it to exercise power similar to a Municipal body ; or is it merely to " advise " the executive officer ; or will it perform executive functions? Is it to sit at stated periods, or is it to be a sort pf pei-ruan^nt Privy Council to be summoned at any time ? Are its members to be paid, or will the seats be honorary? Will .the questions that come before it be settled by a majoripy, .or will the nominee Chairman be at liberty to fpllpw the opinions of the Coimcil or not ? Thesp are questions which appear tq be so important as tp require answering before any one should embracp the Pill. Then again, what about the Road Boards ] Is it contemplated to apply the system of local taxation for roads to districts -where there is no settled population, and every road and track requires yet to be done ? Is it at all likely that Road Boards, with the power to levy rates, will be able to work well, or even be able to cany out their functions in the mining districts 1 How is the expenditure to be regulated ? We are given to understand that the Council is to advise on matters of administration, and when the cost of such administration has-been paid, the surplus is to be handed over to the Road Boards. • How is the fair and relative proportion of each district to be settled? What standard of comparison is to be adopted — population, or- rates, or what? We are persuaded the more we examine the Government scheme that it is not adapted to the circumstances of West, land. It may be that the representation will be slightly increased in the House of Representatives, but at most by one member. Now, in a young growing country is it better to have ready access to a Provincial Council dealing with matters of local importance, or a small voice in the General Assembly which has for many sessions betrayed a r "" cf | f^if ''|g|?r ir 'fl'' fl iffl'i _2fli&s-o^uy purely domestic logislati

These are queries which demand serious consideration because it maybe that the Government may invite the formation of a second County from the Buller to the Teremukau. For ourselves, we as strongly object to the new Bill, as it at preseut appeai-s, as we did to the formation of a separate Province. We do not consider it suited to the present condition of "Westland; and if carried we trust the boundary of the new Couuty will be fixed at the Teremakau.