THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 651, 22 March 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1870.

Ouu up-country readers will no doubt sincerely welcome Messrs Blackett and Greenfield, the Provincial Secretary and Provincial Engineer of Nelson, as they will have an opportunity of laying before them their long list of grievances, and demanding reform. The present visit, 'coupled with .the recent appointment of Mr Kynnerslay as a member of the Nelson Executive, must be hailed as an indication of the approach of a brighter clay in the history of this much-neglected district, when its want j will be better understood, and the cold shade under which it has existed for the last year dispersed. The Grey District, the pride of the Nehon South-west Gold Fields, will now receive its due ; —at least the small meed of justice will be meted out to it. That there now exists cause for complaint may be gathered from the fact thar, whereas during the last session of the Nelson Provincial Council, a round sum of £9300 was voted to be expended on roads in the Grey Valley, little over £2QJO has been spent, while, during the same period, double that amount has been expended in the Nelson District. The Grey District has been systematically neglected, and its progress retarded by those in authority in Nelson ; but why, it is difficult to imagine, because it is so much like killing the goose that lays the golden e.gg. However, it is refreshing even to hope that this policy will now be reversed, and that justice will be done— if it is within the power of the officials now visiting Ihe district ; for we are sure it is the wish of Mr liyrmersley, Deputations will no doubt wait on those gentlemen up country ; the many im^ portant questions affecting the district will be brought practioally under their notice ; and it is to be hoped that the inhabitants will show that they are fully alive to their wants ; that they keenly appreciate the position in which the Nelson Government has recent!}' placed them ; that they do now entertain strong doubts as to the existence of ths paternal Government under which it was formerly their privilege to live, and that it was high time the long-neglected public works in the district were commenced. The Provincial Engineer and Secretary .'will ha.ye an opportunity of seeing that the expenditure of the votes of last session (which were made simply to keep the people quiet during the Separation movement) is much needed and that ths prosperity of the Parent Government in a grea.t measure depends upon the amount of assistance which is given towards the development of the magnificent resources of the Grey district. As on the Westland side, so on the Nelson, we want roads, tracks, and bridges — we ask nothing but what we are entitled to, the expenditure of a,, fair proportion of the revenue — and whenever we are granted even-handed justice, the prosperity of tho district is assured.