THE The Drey River Argus. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 688, 16 June 1870, Page 2

THE The Drey River Argus. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1870.

The agitation for the Annexation of the district lying between the Grey and Teremakau Rivers to the Nelson Province has culminated in the formation ot an influential League, the members . of which have entered upon their labors for the attainment of the object, aimed at, with an amount of vigor, and in a systematic manner, that deserve success. If the boundary-line between the Province of Nelsou and the County of Westland is ever to be altered, it will be now, for we have no : doubt that ere many days, are over the League will be able to show to" the Parliament of the Colony that it is \he almost unanimous wish, of the residents on both sides of the river, that the existing- evils 1 consequent upon a double form of government in a district which is naturally and commercially one, ought to be done away with. . There are other reasons why this is the most opportune time that could be chosen for the resuscitation of the movement — i hat the General is now in session, and the .'Governor's speech foreshadows an alteration nf pxs'iiig boundary-lines throughout the Colony, and promises a readjustment of the representation ; and there is no reason why the Grey District should not participate in the benefits likely to accrue therefrom. This question has now, been agitated for the. last four years in the district, and the residents on the Westland side have on many public occasions shown that they were all but unani-, mous in seeking Annexation to Nelson. Uufortunately, for various reasons, these movements have hitherto miscarried ; but it is hoped that the present, which is inaugurated under better auspices, and taken in hand in a thoroughly practical manner/ will accomplish Avhat is in reality the only pure for the many grievances under which this district has so long labored. In order to bring this afciottt more expeditioualy and satisfactorily to the \vholo of the residents in the Grey Valley, tbe promoters of the moyementin town haye determined to ask the hearty co-operation and assistance of tho residents on tbe Nelson side of tho Grey River ; and we have every ;-veason to believe that it will be readily given. The union of the district under one Government must result in good to the whole, and more especially to the upriver districts, because they would then have larger claims upon the Government for the carrying on of public works, owing to the revenue received from the.district being doubled. It is only natural to suppose that, should the Nelson Government be fortunate enough to secure a clear additionJfcp its revenue of some £20,000 per annum, by extending its boundary further, south, tliat it would take a largely increased, interest in. what would then .be its most -populous, prosperous, and wealthy district ;• while £he increased number of niem> bers sent by it to the Council would aid materially in compelling 'increased attention to the wants of the people. Memorials have been prepared and sent, up the river for signature, and it is to be sincerely trusted that no petty lpcal jealousies will be allowed to hinder the 'accomplishment of the grand work upon which the League has set its heart. We are glad, to : find upon , looking, at the memorial that the fundamental principle of the movement has. been strictly adherred to, and has been as simply and

concisely stated as possible, namely, the alteration of the present boundary-line between Westland and Nelson, so as to include within the latter Province the whole Grey Valley. The following is the text of the memorial :— "To the Honorable the Speaker and •■'-■' Members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. " The Memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of the Grey Valley, and the district north of the Teremakau,— 'I Humbly She weth,— That the prosperity and . advancement of the above districts, and the welfare of their inhabitants, are greatly hindered by the fact of the Grey River being the present boundary between the Province and the County of Westland. " That the country north and south of the Grey River is naturally but one district aa to its requirements and resources, and as to the character and employments of its population. " That the system of roads and inland communication would be rendered much more efficient if the country on both sides of the river were under one Government. " That the revenue could then be more advantageously and economically administered than it now is, when part is expended by the Province of Nelson and part by the County of Westland. " That the inconvenience of having a navigable river as the boundiry-line between, the Provinces would be obviated. "That having regard to the above considerations, your memorialists humbly pray that your Honorable House would be pleased to alter the existing boundary of the Province of Nelson, by extending the same in a southerly direction in such a manner that the River Teremakau shall be the boundary iv that direction instead of the Grey River as heretofore. "And your Memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray." Now that the movement is fairly launched, it is to be hoped that the Committee entrusted with the carrying out of the preliminaries will use every diligence, and that their efforts will be heartily seconded by the people on both sides of the river. There is no time to lose, as the General Assembly is now in session, and the sooner a memorial of this kind is brought before the House tho more consideration will it receive. The town, and the entire Grey district on both sides of the river, must be canvassed for signatures within the next eight days, and we ' would earnestly impress upon all who have the welfare of the district! at heart to assist the Committee by every means in their power;