THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1868.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 400, 6 August 1868, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1868.

It is a matter for congratulation that some political life seems at last to have betti infused into the community — that the .people of Grey mouth appear now to be thoroughly aUye to the fact that it is only by a personal interest being taken in all matters affecting the welfare of the whole community, that any result satisfactory to themajority can be arrived at. The time has been when it was next to impossible to divert the attention of the residents from the all-absorbing pursuit of advancement \n their own peculiar spheres of business, and to, get them to give even a moderate amount of their time and talonts to the political affairs of the town in which they were acquiring their wealth. But that unfortunate condition of every gold field in the early years of its settlement has with us now happily passed away ; and qur citizens find that they are living in a settled town, which, from the natural resources at its back, must progress. To aid in that progression is now thfi desire of every right-minded citizen ; for it has come to be understood that a community without political life — destitute, of those first principles which unite the people together in a genuine desire for the good of the entire city— can never prosper, nor assert the position which commercially and politically it ought to oocupy. This was abundantly proved by the meeting of last Monday evening, which was the most influentially attended one — having for its object a political purpose — which has yet been held in Greymouth. That such a meeting should have ended so tamely is to be regretted ; but that was entirely owing to the fact that no one considered it his business to prepare a programme or a motion to be submitted for discussion by the meeting — that, in fact, "what was anyone's business was no one's business." Consequently, the proceedings were somewhat irregular ; but they fully proved the deep interest which is taken by the citizens, in the forthcoming elections for the Municipal Council. The object for which the meeting was called, wa< to obtain an expression of public opinion as to the best means to be adopted for securing a fair and equitable representation of the whole town in the Council ; for the purpose, firstly, of hpnestly representing all shades of public opinion ; and, secondly, what was more desirable still, doing away for once and for ever with those feelings of jealousy which have hitherto existed between the inhabitants of the townships of which the Borough of Greymonth is now constitiried. That such feelings have existed, and been publicly displayed on many occasions is notorious ; but now that wo are all one people, the inhabitants of one Borough, ] it is to be sincerely hoped that all past ! animosities will be forgottqn, and that i the citizens will now unitedly work and ! honestly endeavor for the good of the town at large. Whether or not the proper i means to this end were adopted by the meeting on Monday evening, is not the

the question at present, Many will no doubt differ in opinion as the desirability of the step which, was then taken in the appointment of an Election Committee ; but, we think, it must be admitted that the object of the motion was in itself good, i and one which ought to receive the hearty support of every elector. The members of that Committee were fairly chosen from what may be called the representative me.n of both townships, and no doubt they will endeavor honestly to carry out thp object for which they were appointed — to canvas the electors, and obtain the names of gentlemen w.illincj to allow themselves to be put in nomination as Councillors, and to report to. a future public meeting, There seemed to. be a considerable amount of misunderstanding at the last meeting as tp the, object for which this Committee wa^s appointed, and mu,ch difference pf opinion, as to thp propriety of the course pursued ; but we think it may result in much good, and cannot possibly do any harm, W§ expepfc that many candidates will como forward and offer their services to the public, but there are, many others who, froiu various, reasons, would not contest the election until solicited to do so by their fellow citizens,. The inquiries of the Committee will have this good effget, that it will bring the matter more under tjie immediate attention and consideration of the inhabitants, and we trust will result in a list of names being submitted to the next public meeting which may meet with the hearty approval of all sections of thp community. Should this not be, so — an.d we fear it is almost too good to expects— the matter can be lpf t entirely open, and the course prescribed by the Act can be adopted in all cases, as it will, no doubt, be followed by a few who may differ with the. Committee in opinion. We believe this election will take place under the old roll, and not on those which were made up far the Westland Boroughs and Westland South, as they do not come into operation until the Ist of September, and the nomination is appointed to take place on the 26th inst. Should it be desired, it is quite practicable to telegraph to the General Government to request the Governor to postpone the election for a week, which he could easily do by a simple Gazette notice, and telegraphic in- j structions to the Returning Officer, and ! then the new rolls would be in force ; and, as about three times the number of residents would then be able to vote, the result of the election would, no doubt, ' give more general satisfaction. Since the above was written, we believe the Committee met yesterday, and resolved to allow the election to proceed on the old roll, as the number of electors was pretty equally divided between the two townships ; and also to take no steps to carry out the resolution of the meeting until after the nomination-day, but allow the candidates to come forward and solicit the suffrages of the electors in the usual manner.