THE NELSON GOVERNMENT AND ITS WEST COAST OFFICIALS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 677, 21 May 1870, Page 4

THE NELSON GOVERNMENT AND ITS WEST COAST OFFICIALS.

— «• — The following are extracts from speeches of West Coast members during the recent No-Confidence Debate :— Mr O'Connor, Westport, said : — Let honorable members but reflect upon the constitution of the Executive and what ■will they there find ? Why that three of its members are representatives in this Council for the city of Nelson. The appointment of the other member of the Executive, Mr Kynnersley, is by no means calculated to allay the great dissatisfaction now existing on the West Coast. Mr Kynnersley is looked upon as an able administrator of West Coast affairs simply by comparison with his inefficient successors. There can be no doubt that Mr Kynnersley had strength of will and great activity, and that his successors are what may be termed feather-bed Wardens — who are, indeed, anything save what Mr Kynnersley was. The West Coast can look upon the Executive as at present formed only as one of weakness. How is it really constituted ? The Provincial Secretary is but clerk to the Superintendent, the Treasurer is but the cashier to the Superintendent, and these gentlemen really can give no unbiassed opinion upon matters brought before them in their capacity as members of their employer's Executive. It is on this ground that 1 say I have no confidence in them. If the appointments to the Executive were founded on justice, or the expenditure of our votes of money faithfully carried out, it would bear another complexion ; but I say they are not, and that the Executive is not only weak, but neglectful. We think that a Superintendent should oversee, not only the public works, but the Province. Now what is the fact 1 We have never seen the Superintendent on the West Coast but once, and then only for a short time. Yes, sir, notwithstanding the loud calls, and I say the just calls of the West Coast Gold Fields for some attention to be paid to them, he has never since shown his face there. It is all very well for persons who reside in, and who do not move out of the more settled districts, to say that Westport was made by public money ; but, sir, those who reside in that district protest against so untrue an assertion as one man. I see on the Estimates the portion headed " West Coast— Justice." This title, sir, is highly significant ; but I will ask the Council to remember the lime when Mr Dutton resigned. There was then an opening for placing in a reasonable position a man who should well know the district, and be fully qualified to perform his duties. But what did the Executive do ? They chose for the office a gentleman who was estimable in other respects, and who, doubtless, was well qualified to perform the duties of his profession ; but, sir, he was one who knew much more of a theodolite than of the important duties of a magistrate. Such appointments as this, sit but uneasily on those recipients who are not fitted for them ; and perhaps it was for that reason that Mr Warden Lowe resigned. This should have taught the Government a lesson ; but it did not, sir, for their next appointment to the office was a worse one. This latter gentleman has been chosen for what qualification I know not. He was first appointed as a Warden's clerk, and in that capacity managed to make himself extremely objectionable. This person, after fourteen months' employment, and two months' absence, has been appointed to the magistracy of the Grey district. I ask, sir, are appointments like these at all calculated to promote the interests of the West Coast ? The Government uses its officers so, and abuses the offices so much, that all their appointments seem to be given to those who are in the secret of possessing private influence. I saw, before I left the Coast, a memorial of the diggers to the General Government, praying that no v appointment shall henceforth take place to any public office save on the score of merit. This has not hitherto been done — no, not in any one case ; therefore it is that I say the Government cannot refute the complaints of the Gold Fields, the facts are far too stroug. Ido not like, sir, to meddle with private character, and so will leave the subject, and let any other member expose other cases of grosser favoritism as they may occur to them. Mr Donne, Charleston, s.aid ; Reference has been made to Mr Kynnersley's appointment. Now, I have no objection to that gentleman's appointment, provided the old state of things is not revived on the Coast. I object to one man holding Ihe entire control of so large and important a district, and being responsible to no one. The Government seemed to think that, by making this appointment, they would thereby secure the West Coast votes ; but we object to Mr Kynnersley having a seat in the Executive, being also Resident Magistrate, and possessing such large powers over the expenditure of money. I remember being asked to move in the matter of seeing to get Mr Kynnersley appointed member of the Executive for the West Coast, and I said, No ; but if Mr Kynnersley will ask for a seat; in the Provincial Council, and act, say, as Government Secretary for the Gold Fields, with responsibility, I should not object. But now we find him proposed to be put back in his old position — S a position that must of necessity make the West Coast representatives mere nonentities. I warn the Government and this Council, that if you revive the old state of affairs, you will not have one siugle representative from the; West Coast sitting in this Council. If the old system of patxonage is to be placed in tho hands of an irresponsible Commissioner, the Council may as well hand itself over entirely to the. Executive. I will now refer to the money given to Mr Dent, which money, .it. appears was taken from a particular vote never intended to be applied in such a manner, and taken, too, in open defiance of the Council. I do hope, therefore, that the v E»timatesT\oyr before the Council will be narrowly watched. " »