SEPARATION OR ANNEXATION.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 594, 6 November 1869, Page 2

SEPARATION OR ANNEXATION.

(To the Editor of tho Grey River Argus.) Sir— l have had to search for some documents to enable me to continue the argument of my last letter, and doing so has delayed my communication. I have succeeded in finding them, and will again ask you to allow me space to let the public judge whether this district has suffered any loss by reason of the action, or, more properly, want of action, of the County Council of Westland. In June, 1868, the Council met, and among other things they had laid before them reports from various departments ; these reports, one would suppose, were for the purpose of guiding the Councillors in their conduct as to the, best method of meeting the wants of the various districts to which these reports referred. What do we find reported by the Surveyor for the Greymonth district ? " The development of the resources of most of the diggings (in the Grey district) is much retarded by the high cost of living, consequent on the rough nature of the country and the bad 3tate.of communication." Mr Warden Keogh reports on the same district : — " The cost of carriage anywhere off the seaboard ranges from Ll2 to L 23 per ton over Greymouth or Hokitika prices." With these reports before them, one would imagine the Council could see that one chief want existed in the Grey district; — viz., means of communication with the interior, a\id, as a natural consequence, expect that this would meet with. due consideration. Let us see what has been done for this district since June, 1868. I think I may sum up all by saying nothing, but I must be strictly correct, for there has been a part of the road to Arnold made, and lines have been surveyed for a road to the Eight-mile and Greenstone ; but that is all. Now, if it is said that the Council could have done no more than this, I ask how was it possible for the Council to make a dray road to the GreenBtone for the use of the Hokitika merchants when the same amount of money would have opened up good tracks from Greymouth to the Eight-mile and the Greenstone, and goods could have been delivered from Greymouth at those places and at the intermediate diggings cheaper than they now are from Hokitika ; but the majority of the members of the Council had their interests connected with Hokitika trade, and the Greymouth members were helpless. I might easily point out other causes ■which tend to injure this district, and show that they have their origin in the present system of government, such as the non-payment of Hospital subsidies, of the amount voted for the protective works, &c, but I believe I have shown sufficiently cogent reasons for saying that the County of Westland Government has shown neither the inclination or intention of fairly aiding the progress of this portion of the County ; and I would ask what is the best method to adopt to obtain fair play? It appears to me that the solution lies in the answer to the question, which is best ? The formation of a new County from the Texemakau to the Razorback, annexation of the part of Westland north of Teremakau to the Province of Nelson, or the formation of a new province or county (which you will) of Westland 1 to

include all the West Coast gold fields', with its capital town Greymouth ? In the first case, I thin '<. that from the present state of parties in the Assembly there would be but little chance of obtain* ing its sanction to the new County ; and as to the last, I believe the same objection applies, but I believe that the proposition of annexation to Nelson might be received more favorably by the Government. It remains, therefore, to consider whether the Grey district "would have a better prospect of fair play under the Nelson than under the Westland regime. In the first place, one of the principal evils would be done away with— the port would be rescued from its present anomalous position, and thereby alone a. considerable advantage gained ; and looking at the conduct which the Nelson Government has hitherto pursued, we might reasonably expect to be somewhat the gainers, for that Government has at least one thing to recommend it : it is not presided over by mere political adventurers, in whose good faith no reliance can ever be placed ; and we could at all events calculate on obtaining whatever the Provincial Council determined should be spent on the district ; and so long as the people send good men into the Provincial Council we might calculate on getting fair play, especially as the district would be of very considerable importance, much more so than any other part of Westland. 1, therefore, must say that, looking to the chances in favor of any change, I think the annexation to Nelson seems most hopeful, and, if attainable, that it would be a great .deal better than for the district to remain any longer connected to Westland. I trust some of your readers will see sufficient importance in this subject to discuss it. lam very anxious to see the opinions of the public on it, and trust, Mr Editor, you will encourage the discussion, lam, &c., Scrutator. Greytnouth, Nov. 4, 1869.