THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 749, 5 November 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1870.

vVe remind our readers that the election of members of the County Council will take place in little more than four weeks from this date. As yet but little interest has been manifested in the matter — owing, doubtless, to the want of sympathy that exists hero with the existing political institutions under which this district for the present is placed. Bnt it must not be forgotten that they do exist, and that it would be exceedingly foolish and shortsighted to forfeit any advantage which the possession of competent representatives may afford. To treat the forthcoming election with indifference, and to allow anyone to obtain the post of representative withoutfirst nndergoingthe salutary ordeal of public scrutiny would in point of wisdom be akin to "cutting off one's nose to spite one's face." Although the district may not hope for much material I good from the new Council, whoever may J be the members it returns, still, it may possibly suffer inordinately if unfit persons are elected. We, would therefore, urge upon the electors the desirability of taking the matter in hand without delay, and that they should endeavor to select suitable men to represent them. So long as the Grey District remains under the Government of the County of Westland, it cannot allow its affairs to go by the board. 1 Bad as the circumstances of the County are, they- may be made a little better. Economy in administration, if exercised within all possible limits, may do much towards ameliorating the financial condition of the County. Very considerable savings, we have no doubt, can be made, without impairing the efficiency of the public service. And it is very important that in the expenditure oi sneh sums as may be available for public works, the Council should be guided by the real necessities of each case, and not by a consideration ot mere desirability. We venture to say that had the construction of public works been hitherto regulated by the former condition, a very much larger extent of really beneficial works would have been carried out than has bee» &oti>b If the reve»»B 5s to be maintained — to say nothing of its being increased — the various mining localities must be rendered more accessible. Every effort should be directed towards this end, for upon the facilities that can be afforded to the mining community the whole prospority of the district depends. The business of the new Council need not be encumbered with any of those large questions that have occupied the time and attention of its predecessors. The land question is settled, and so are several others that engrossed much of the labor of. the Council. One important, matter, howeverj maybe indicated as worthy of consideration by tbe new Council — viz., the relations between the Governor's delegate and the Council. Failing any more decided \vavjifcr- £^ ali ***' — " l 4J — -■-- i jtUllulJ -ot — uuicc — iTelcfii management by the General Government, we think it would be well for the Council to make an urgent request that at least some of the most important powers should be shared with the Governor's delegate by the Council itself. Such an arrangement would certainly give greater public satisfaction than the present irresponsible system of Gold Fields administration. As bo the probabilities oi cuacLicLalaa for this district we, as yet, know little. We have authority for stating that Mr Frank Guinness will offer himself for one of the Greymouth seats. Mr Harrison has retired from the representation, and Mr Lahman has informed us that it is his intention again to seek the suffrages of the electors. Other names are mentioned, but nothing definite is 3et known. The name of. Mr O'Connor is mentioned fur Paroa, and Mr Carreras will probably offer himself for re-election for that district. As the elections take place on the 10th December, it is obvious that no time should be lost either by intending candidates or by the constituencies.