THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1868.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 385, 2 July 1868, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1868.

The near approach of the session of the General Assembly renders it necessary that a subject of great importance to the future prosperity and welfare of this district should be agaiu brought prominently before public attention, We refer to the present boundary line of the County of Westland, and the great necessity which exists for its alteration. For some time past we have allowed this matter to remain in abeyance, beoause its continual agitation could be of no material service to the cause, when there were no means at hand to bring about a change. But now that the parliament of the country is about to assemble, another oppor- j tunity presents itself for the iuhibitants of the Grey District to endeavor to obtain the alteration of the present, arbitrary boundary line of the County. We have argued this subject so long, tbat our opinion on it must be well known to our readers, but we feel that we are called upon to make no apology for reiterating some of them. We do so at this time principally with the object of laying the matter open for public discussion, ami we earnestly trust that a subject so intimately con* nected with the best interests of the district will be taken up by the inhabit tants, and a movement organised to bring about what we consider to be a most desirable change. It must be admitted, as a first principle, that a navigable river should never be made the boundary-line of Provinces or Counties, because where a port is established on the bank of such a river an injustice is generally done to one or other of the Provinces. This has been the case with Greymouth. It was established on the Canterbury side of the river — to it all the shipping came, aud in it all the reveuue was collected, j But that reveuue had to be divided equally between the Provinces of Nelson t and Canterbury, and is now divided between Nelson and "Westland. This would not be seriously felt if the burdens of the port were equally borne by the Governments, who reap the benefits of its commerce, but this the Nelson Government has all along refused to do, even to giving a contribution towards the works for the protection of the port from which it derives a large revenue. All it will pay is half of the signalman's and harbor-master's salaries, because its contribution to the hospital must not be considered, seeing that it only gives a subsidy in proportion to the number of patients received from the Nelson side of the river. This is a glaring injustice to the port, and deprives it of one-half of the revenues, which ought strictly spe-iking to be spent on its public works and improvements. This state of things can only be remedied by one of two courses — either the boundary-line of the County of Westland must be removed further north, say as far as Razorback, or a new county must be formed extending from the Ter^makau Paver to Razorback, with Greymouth for its centre, and embracing the whole valley of the Grey River. To the first proposition there are serious objections, because it has already been shown that the residents on the Nelson side will object strongly to be included in the County of Westland. This was plainly and unmistakeabJy stated at a public meeting held some time ago in Cobden, for the purpose of bringing the matter before the inhabitants ; and we know that a similar feeling prevails throughout all the diggings on the Nelson side of the river. But tho same feeling does not prevail with regard to the second pro. position ; indeed, it is rather favored by the inhabitants, for at the public meeting we have referred to an amendment was adopted declaring the readiness of tJie people on the Nelson side to join in

a movement for the creation of anew county from the Teveumkau t« Razorback, Our own opinion is strongly in favor of this course, as the only feasible one which at present presents itself of relieving the district from the unjust burden which it now bears. Besides, it is the only natural solution of the difficulty. The immense valley of the Grey is one natuially, and the interests of its inhabitants ought to be identical, commercially and politically. A more absurd boundary-Jine could not well have .been chosen, and we are ,o;]ad to leara that this fact is now recognised by those high in position both iv the Provincial Government of Nelson and the General Government of tlis Colony. The simple recognition of the fact will not prevent the movement from being opposed by those most interested in the maintenance of the present system ; but, as in the case of the formation of ( the County of Westland, if a good case pan be made out, and the matter broiighV before the Assembly in its proper light (as it is now pretty sure to be) the prayer of the petition of the inhabitants will be most favorably received.. Of course, the extension of the County system will much depend upon the continuance in office of the present Ministry, but that is a matter which does not properly come within the scope of the present enquiry. It now remains for the inhabitants to take some action in the matter. It is for them to say if they are content to remain under the present form of Government, and continue to bear the uuequal burden whiih they now do, whether the change we have pointed out is desirable, and which of the propositions we have laid down will be most conducive to the welfare of the inhabitants and the material prosperity of the Grey District.