THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 629, 29 January 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1870.

We recur to the subject of the late indignation meeting held here this week, with regard to the distribution of the County revenue, for the purpose of considering the alternative course which was then agreed upon to be followed in the event of the County Council still refusing to deal justly with the Grey District, by distributing the revenue in fair proportions between the districts fr< m which it is derived. That alternative was to appeal to the General Government to appoint Commissioners to distribute tho revenue. We take it that nothing will be dime further in this matter until the close of the present session of the County Council, in order that its Chairman aud members may have one more chance of doing justice to this district ; and when the results of the session arc -clearly known, the Committee appointed at the late meeting can carry out the duty assigned to them or not. In the meantime it is the duty of the inhabitants to consider well what tbe resolution they arrived- at means, because it is rather vague, and may be construed many ways ; and also, whether there are not other and more simple ways of getting rid of the incubus that is now crushing us down as a community in the ear'y struggle of what must ultimately prove a prosperous career. The resolution may mean a petition for the amendment of the County of Wesilaiul Act, so as to make the Chairman of the Connty a nominee of the Governor, with irresponsible powers, so far as the administration of the revenue is concerned, and, as was the case with the first County Council over which the Hon.' John Hall presided, the members to be only allowed to "recommend." It may we«;n the complete aboFitionj)f;,the Council, and the appointment

-of an autocrat, and although we do not believe in this form of Government at any time, yet wo believe the Grey District would receive more justice at the hands of such an officer xhan from the County Council as at present constituted. But there is another course which may be followed— one which may meet all the requirements of the case — one which we have long advocated, and one which we believe would long ere this have been consummated had the people been true to their best interests ; we refer to the old i movement either for the creation of a new ' County or the annexation of the Grey District, as far south as the Teromakan, to the Province of Nelson. We are not advocating an agitation for such a move- • ment at present, because the County Council is now on its final trial. We only say it is a course which may be followed in the event of certain circumstances transpiring ; and also in the event of its i being considered, after due investigation, whether it would be advisable— wiiether it would not be "out of the frying-pan into the tire"— because the people have lately had cause to know that the Nelson Government of the present day is not the paternal Government of old, which is so ■ fondly remembered by the residents in this district. Still, in considering this ques- : tion, it must be remembered that we cannot be worse than we are — that we give everything and receive back nothing ; and that . systematic neglect could not be carried further than it has been in the Grey District, under the rule of the present County i Chairman ; and, also, that in the event of annexation being completed, the present ( obnoxious boundary-line would be done ■ ' away with, and Nelson would receive the 1 whole, instead of the half of the Greymouth revenue as at present. The Hokii tika District, with its Ohristchurch road, • could then be re-annexed to Canterbury, and could easily be governed by a local • Board of Works. At present these are -only suggestions thrown out for the con- ' sideration of the people ; when the proper time comes we will be prepared to advo"cate the one which appears most conducive to the welfare of the people, and the per--manent prosperity of the district at large. Another sample of the amount of justice we may expect at the hands of the present County Council may now be given. The other day Mr Lahman moved that tenders be called for the construction of the road from Greymouth to the Coalpits, on six months deferred payments. He pointed out that by doing so a boon would be conferred, nut only upon the town, but upon the whole country ; many accidents would be prevented, for it would no -longer be necessary to cross and recros3 the river many times. Mr Harrison seconded the motion,%ut did so with a faint heart. He would like to see the road made. He endorsed all that had been said by the mover as to the necessity, but he could not lose sight of the fact that the County was still in debt, and that it wotilrl be impossible to wipe the debt off if fresh liabilities were to be incurred. The motion was opposed by the County Chairman, because there were no available funds, and existing liabilities must be wiped off before fresh ones were incurred. He could not hold out promises that contractors would receive payment in nine months, or even eighteen. Any funds coming in must go to pay debts. He asked the Council to pause. By the next session there might be a change. Mr Lahman asked the Chairman if he would promise to repair the road now impassable. The Chairman said he would, and the motion was withdrawn. Contrast this with what took place in the Council on Wednesday, when Mr Reeves moved — " That tenders be called in to-morrow morning 'spaper for the construction of the road from the south side of the Three Mile Creek to the junction of the Christchurch road, Arahura, on deferred payments of six and nine months." Tho Chairman opposed the motion for the sAme reason as in the other case ; but it appears to have been supported by Mr Lahman, the gentleman who withdrew the motion for a road in his own district, which would have cost little over .£4OO, whereas the Arahura Road would c>st £2000. He is reported to have said that "in the present case the money would not be required for twelve months. The cost, he believed, would be about £2000, and it would be surprising indeed if the Connty were not able to undertake sncli a liability on such terms." Mr C.irreras, the member for Paroa, also stated thab " he should vote for tho resolution, and if the advertisement did not appear in the newspaper on the following day the Council would have to take the matter in their own hands." Mr Harrison does not appear to have opposed' the motion, which passed without dissent, aud we notice that tenders have already been called for the construction of the road ! These facts are plain enough, suggestive enough for our readers to form their own conclusions, and to enable them to estimate how much] in this case, they have to thank their representatives for.