THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1022, 4 November 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1871.

To-day Mr H. H. Lahman, County Chairman, returns from Wellington, where he has been engaged for the last few weeks sunning himself in the light of New Zealand's nobility, aiid using all the influence which might be attached to his position in the Empire City to hinder the realisation of the desires of the people who raised him to his present eminence. During his stay in Wellington, he has used every effort, working unceasingly, to ihflnence the Government and private members of the House against the Annexation movement, and has actually gone so far as openly to assert that his constituents did not desire that the Grey District should be annexed to Nelson, although no person knew better than himself that the very opposite was the true state of the case. Before he hurried off on his mission of obstruction, to carry out the wishes of a 'small select circle of political agitators in Hokitika, he was very careful not to ask the opinions of his constituents as to the course of conduct he was about to adopt. He knew too well what the reply would have been; that, in fact, had he put the question, his mission would have been spoiled, and he would have missed the opportunity of following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Mr Hcos, aud airing his gentility among the beauty and fashion of the Colony, at the expense of the poor bankrupt County of Westland. Mr Lahman has kicked over the ladder by which he mounted into power. He has systematically opposed the best interests of his constituents; he has knowingly attempted to frustrate their most earnest desires, and treated them with contempt. No doubt his constituency must feel very grateful, and bum with a desire to honor him on his return from his arduous mission. Some time ago, in writing on this subject, we took occasion to warn. Mr Lahman that -when his hour of adversity came he would have to look for assistance to the small clique hi Hokitika who had induced him to turn traitor to his own district. The day of retribution is coming round faster than we anticipated, and our County Chairman will reap its first fruits immediately on his return. Our readers will remember that one of the clauses of the Annexation Bill provided for the the resignation of the representatives of the Grey District in the County Council at the close of the present year. This would cause Mr Lahman to resign his position of Chairman a year before his term of office had expired in the natural course of events. This was rather a serious calamity, as the position, the honors, the Government residence, the £600, all were in danger, and a strong effort had to be made to avert it. Before he left Wellington he induced a friend to give notice to move that the present occupant of the County Chair should not be called upon to resign until the expiry of [his term of office, and it is just possible that, in a spirit of equity, this may yet be adopted; but the news reached the ears of certain of Mr Lahman's friends in Hokitika, who saw in his immediate retirement, another chance of their own promotion — in fact, another scramble for the and they took immediate steps to secure the golden prize. Alas for ingratitude and human friendship ! Mr Lahman has served the purposes of the Hokitika clique, and he is ne-w cast aside as a useless tool. It was only on Thursday that the intelligence of the proposition to extend the term of Mr Lah man's chairmanship reached Hokitika, and yesterday Mr Hooa telegraphed to the General Government " that the proposed amendment of the Annexation Bill to secure Mr Lahman's seat as County Chairman tor the natural term is utvpopular :" and he further urged that Mr Lahman, as a Grey member, should, with the rest, cease to be a member of the Council ! They are indeed a wonderful and a grateful few whom our County Chairman has elected to serve. How Mr Hoos could dare sq hurriedly to speak on behalf of the public and pronounce the proposition unpopular we are at a loss to imagine, except that it was very unpopular with Mr Hoos, and that, we suppose, in his estimation, is a sufficient index of public opinion, and warrants him in telegraphing on behalf of the people of Westland to the Government. It is Irue the proposition, if carried, might keep Mr Hoos or Mr Barff out of the County chair for another year, and that surely is a calamity to be a/erted by every possible means; but we rather think that one of these aspirants to office has acted rashly by showing his cards so openly, and it is very probable the people of Westland may yet tell him so. Meantime, however, we are rather afraid that between the two stools Mr Lahman will come to the ground.