THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 835, 31 March 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871.

The announcement that we made yesterday of the probable retirement of Mr \yilkie from the representation of the Grey District in the Provincial Council of Nelson is so far reliable that the electors are fully justified in looking round for candidates to supply his place. We are informed that Mr Wilkie's intention to resign will be regulated a good deal by the probabilities there may be of returning a member who. will-do justice and credit to the district. Should there not be a likelihood of returning a thoroughly efficient member^ Mr Wilkie will retain his seat,' although his doing so will entail considerable personal inconvenience upon himself. In this course of action Mr Wilkie \i fully justified. ' This is no time for trifling with the representation or placing it in inefficient and inexperienced hands. . The Gold Fields constituencies of Nelson have already suffered severely through the inadequate representatives they have had in the Council — an inadequacy 'not confined to the mere number of their members, but applying also in some instances to the calibre and ability of the members themselves. The present time appears to be a turning point in the relations between the Nelson Government and the Gold Fields, under its control, and there is a reasonable hope that a greater amount of attention is about to be paid to the interests of the Gold Fields. ; The members of the Executive have made themselves more personally acquainted with the necessities of the various mining districts, and we have no doubt that the knowledge will bear fruit in due season. But '-'appearances- often deceive," as the^copy books say, and the inhabitaiits of the Grey. DisMct should use, their, best endeavors to secure the fullest advantage which their representative institutions . afford, so as to exercise a proper amount of influence in the Provincial Council. If rumor is to be credited they fortunately have the opportunity of sending to the Council as their member a gentleman who combines in ; himself all the essential qualifications of a representative. • We allude to Mr Kynnersley, who has, we believe, signified his willingness to aerve the constituency should they elect him. • ;It is much to be hoped, for the interest of the district and the Gold Fields generally, that the electors will embrace the offer made by Mr Kynnersiey. His qualifications for the seat- cannot be surpassed, if equalled, by any other person whom the electors might be ; invited to support. His intimate knowledge of the district, his warm .sympathy with the residents, his education, political experience, and high personal character, seem to point him out as par excellence, the representative of the Grey district. But apart from these qualifications must be added his ability to deal with the most important questions, that are likely to be raised in the Council during the coming session. Having watched the progress of thegreat railway and immigration schemes in the General Assembly, he will be better able to discuss any question in relation thereto which ; may be submitted to the Council — more especially with regard to the subject of Gold water supply. No doubt the Provincial Government will invite the Council to avail itself of some of the provisions of the Act, and Mr Kynnersley's presence in the Council would be a guarantee that the interests of the Gold Fields would be carefully guarded in any steps the Government may propose to take. Then again, there is the question of the annexation of a portion of Westland to Nelson, which, although temporarily set aside, will be again brought forward at the next session of the Assembly. We understand that the Council will be invited by the Superintendent to consider the proposal favorably, with the prospect of its being definitely disposed of at the next meeting of Parliament. Mr Kinnersley's experience of this question through all its phases, and hisstrong- convictions as to its necessity, would be of material assistance to the Council,, and of immense advantage to the district. On the grounds we have mentioned. above, Mr Kynnersley's return is imich to be wished, and we. .trust that the constituency will take steps to secure so desireable a result. By returning that gentleman— unopposed if possible — the district would do honor to itself, and pay a fitting compliment to one who has for many years been intimately associated with it, and to whom it has in times past been largely indebted for valuable and useful services. ..