THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1089, 24 January 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1872.

Much interest has been manifested in Otago, more especially in the Lake district, relative to the carrying out of the following recommendation of the Otago Mining Commission regarding the removal of Gold Fields Wardens :— " Your Commissioners are also of opinion that it would conduce to the better administration of justice, and tend to make officers better acquainted with their duties if, instead of being permanently located in one district, they were removed from one district to another, at intervals of not more than three years. So strongly has tho advisability of this course been urged upon your Commissioners, that they recommend that immediate effect bo given to it in this Province ;'' and this recommendation was endorsed by the Gold Fields Committee of the House of Representatives, which included among its members Messrs Curtis, Collins, Harrison, and Tribe, all connected more or leas with the representation of the West Coast ; and we are induced to refer to this subject in consequence of the action taken in changing the Warden of the Dnnstan district, and of the rumors of approaching changes among tne Wardens of Westland. There is no doubt much can be said on both sides of the question, as Wardens are only fallible men, and they may become so identified with the interests of a coterie, that, without meaning it, they may adopt the prejudices and the interests connected therewith as to engender a feeling outside of the circle that it would influence their decisions and guide their actions. We do not say that such is the case, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the existence of such a belief and feeling is wide-spread. On the other hand, it is questionable whether the removal of a Warden who is thoroughly acquainted with a district, with its capabilities, the character and description of the workings, coupled with a knowledge, only to be acquired by a lengthened residence, is a gain, and therefore we are not surprised at the stand that is being taken in the Dunstan against the removolof Warden Pyke. It is said that it is rather a hard case for a Warden to break up his home and locale himself among strangers, and gradually make himself acquainted with perhaps a different description of gold working than he had lately been accustomed to, but that is no more vexatious for him than for a bank-manager or any other servant who may have to make periodical changes, and if the Legislature in its wisdom thought that it would conduce to the efficiency of the public service, there is no alternative but to submit with a good grace. There is the fact in favor of periodical changes that is will tend to make a Warden more of a general officer, and increase his knowledge of the mining districts without tyinghim down to one locality, and identifying himself too strongly with its interests. We have thus alluded briefly to the subject, as in all probability, as we have before stated, the location of some of the Westland Wardens will be used pro and con as are now being nsed in Otago. The Wakatip Mail says : — " The case being so strongly set forth on the one aide by our contemporary (Dunstan Times) claims no further advocacy from us ; but the questions arising from the following extract are debateablc mattor : 'As an act of common justice to the miners, as a question of judicious policy, as a precautionary safeguard against sacrificing the presumed credit of their names for honest intentions, the " powers that be " should, before taking any action in the matter, fully satisfy themselves and the public that this particular recommendation of the Commission has not emanated from a feeling of ill-will and petty spleen against individuals, rather than any real desire to advance the interests of the mining community, or settled conviction that a periodical change of Wardens throughout the Gold Fields is absolutely necessary.' We cannot accept the dictum that the recomr mendations of the Gold Fields Commission 'was inaane,' as relating to the shifting of Wardens. Neither are we prepared to agree with the arguments adduced. At the same time, we would not like to see any officer unnecessarily removed, as, among other things, it entails expense upon himself, and probably loss to others. A grave error may bring about the necessity of such removal ; and so may the exigencies of the public service. Justice is due to the civil servants. On the other hand, the public have a clear, chartered right to express their opinions, about a public servant, or the carrying out of a change that affects their interests/

The vexed question of the road to the reefs is at last settled, and it has been decided to construct a road from the Inangahua Landing to Reefton, and from that township to the Little Grey Junction ; and these works are to be proceeded

with at once. The road from the Inangahua Landing, a distance of twenty-one miles, has o'ready been surveyed by the Nelson Provincial Government, and is estimated to cost ,£10,500, or at the rate of i6OO per mile. The road from the Little Grey Junction will be surveyed immediately, and tenders called for making it. The question now remains as to which port shall command the; trade of the' reefs ; and, to accomplish this, an effort should be made by the inhabitants of Greymouth. Hitherto the inhabitants of Westport have shown a great deal of pluck and energy in endeavoring to gain the trade ; while Grej daou+h has been content to let things take their chance, without bestirring themselves. The General Government is now doing its part of the contract, and as the road via the Grey Valley rill assuredly be made on the recommendation of Mr Harrison, and will no doubt prove the favorite route, if the merchants and storekeepers of the Grey Valley District only devote a little attention to the subject at present, and take some decided action, Greymouth must become the trad ; ng \ >rt for the whole of the extensive new reefing district.