THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 841, 7 April 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1871.

If Mr "Wilkie has any serious idea of resigning his seat in the Provincial Council of Nelson it is only due to the constituency that he should carry out his intention as soon as possible. We have it on undoubted authority that in tbe event : of Mr Wilkie resigning, Mr Kynnersley will come forward as a candidate, and we take it for granted that Mr Wilkie would not hesitate to resign his trust into that gentleman's hands. As the Council meets on the 25th inst. there is only barely sufficient time for a fresh election, and Mr Wilkie should, we think, make up his mind at once either to retain his seat or. resign it. Until Mr Wilkie's views are known, it would be premature on the part of Mr Kynnersley' to issue any address to the electors, and he is awaiting in Wellington positive information of Mr Wilkie's resignation before taking any steps on his own behalf. Should Mr Wilkie lesign, and Mr Kynnersley come forward as a candidate, it is very much to be desired that there should be a common understanding throughout the district to return him. Names of three or four aspirants for the' seat -have been mentioned, but we would warn the electors that it would be a most unfortunate thing for the district if any inexperienced person were returned at this particular period. They have the chance of securing a thoroughly efficient member who will carry weight . and influence in the Council, and the electors would be very shortsighted in their own interests if they allowedthe opportunity to escape; None of the persons who have been named as probable candidates could for a moment be compared to Mr Kynnersley. Mr Piukerton would no doubt be an energetic advocate* of the wants and •interests. of his district, but he is a man who would work much better in company with a colleague of political experience and training. The second existing member, Mr Mackley, is a quiet, well-inten-tioned gentleman, but does not exercise much weight in the Council. Mr Pinkerton, we are sure, has sufficient public spirit to waive his candidature in favor of Mr Kynnersley, if the latter gentleman comes forward. Mr E. A. Drury has already held meetings, we believe, and states his intention of striving for the seat, but, although we are inclined to be merciful to youthful aspirants, we counsel him to leave politics alone until he attains more knowledge and discretion. We do not/ think, however, that' the electors would', sejriously think of performing so rash" an experiment as returning him. Mr Arthur Ellis is, we believe, a highly respectable and intelligent working man, but like the rest lacks experience and acquaintance with the political questions of the day. Whilst we should be sorry indeed to wish any avoidance of a healthy political contest, we do think that under existing circumstances the interests of the district would be best served by allowing Mr Kynnersley to be returned unopposed. Meantime we share the anxiety of the public to learn Mr Wilkie's final decision, and we trust he will at once give it.