THE Grey River Argus TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1869.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 529, 8 June 1869, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1869.

Notwitijstanping the determine! oppo, sition with which the movement for the creation of a new County, embracing the whole Valley of the Gre}', has been met by those both in Hokitika and Nelson interested in continuing tli;; present highly unsatisfactory state of things, jt is gaining many friends in high political circles j and although it may not eventuate as its most ardent supporters would like, it is almost sure to do much good by bringing about an alteration in the present boundary Jine between Nelson and Westland. As we have so frequently stated in the course of this agitation, the existence of this boundary line, and the consequent division of the revenues raised at the port, and the double taxation of the residents in the Grey Valley, were the principal reasons why this movement was originated. It is, therefore, satisfactory to be assured, as we have been, that the General Government of the Colony see the justice of the demand made by the promoters of the movement, and are willing to support the establishment of the new County. At the worst, they will not oppose the movement, and it is almost certain that in any readjustment of boundary lines between Nelson and Westland North (supposing the Separation movement to be successful there) that the new County will not be permitted to extend further south than Razorback. Of course, the stripe of country from that point south to the Grey river cannot then remain under the Government of Nelson, and, in the event of the multiplication of Counties on the West Coast being obje ;ted to, it will most probably be given to Westlaud. Even that change will be preferable to the existing unsatisfactory state of matters ; but it is much to be feai-ed that the residents on the Nelson side of the river will not think so. It has been admitted all along that the feeling iv that portion of the district was more in favor of remaining under the Government of Nelson than becoming an integral portion of the Counties of Westland, Grey, or Westland North, but that was a feeling which could result in nothing, and the people of the district have themselves to blame for being now placed on the horns of a dilemma. We pointed out to them time after time that, as the probabilities were greatly in favor of the Nelson Southwest Gold Fields being separated from that Province, they ought to have looked the question fairly in the face, and choose whether they would join the Grey or Westport movements. A large body of them certainly did select the most feasible scheme, and the one which is likely to result in doing most good to the district — that for the creation of a separate County, embracing the entire Grey Valley — but others allowed themselves to be cajoled, by the emissary of the Nelson Government, who lately visited the district, into giving in their adherence to a scheme for the perpetuation of the many evils which a divided system of Government cieate. They have wilfully thrown away the opportunity which was given them, and it is not at all likely that they will now be appealed to by the General Government to say to which County they wish to be ax,' ached. It is more probable that they will be dealt with as the inhabitants of Grey mouth were when the County of Westland was established— they were never consulted in any way, but had to submit to what was almost forced upon them, in answer to the prayer of the Hokitika petition for Separation. Should it now appear to the Assembly to be expedient, or conduce to the good government of the country, to extend the County system, there is very little doubt that ere long the uew County of Grey will be an accomplished fact, or the northern boundary line of the County of Westland will be removed to Razorback. We trust that our representative iv the Assembly will see it to be his duty to use his utmost endeavors to obtain the former of these alternatives, but should circumstances compel him to accept the latter it will be infinitely superior to present arrangeI merits. Not the least of these contingencies is the probability that the petition will not arrive at Wellington in time to receive the amount of consideration which it would have got had it been before the House ere the attention of the members was taken up with much more important matters. This has

been caused by the sudden departure of the s.s.'. Alhambra, without waiting to be tendered at this port, l>y which it was intended to transmit the petition. It was sent overland yesterday, and will not arrive at Wellington until the 12th inst., which may cause considerable inconvenience aud anxiety to those who have expressed themselves ready to support it, but which, let us hope, will not prove to be a fatal delay,