THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1105, 12 February 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1872.

The meeting held in the Volunteer Hall on Saturday afternoon was held with no more promptitude than the exigency of the circumstances demanded. But this promptitude indicated, at least, that the Bpirit of the inhabitants was equal to the exigency. It is their misfortune, not their, fault, that their temporal means are not equal to the spirit with which they would carry out the works which are requisite for the protection of the town and the maintenance of the River Grey as a marine port ; and, under the circum- ; stances, there was no alternative but to seek assistance from sources from which 'assistance might most reasonably be expected. In seeking such assistance the meeting and its promoters certainly cannot be accused of making other than very modest demands. It is but reasonable that the Governmentjof the County, if they can at all afford it, should aid in a work which is necessary for the preservation of one of its chief port towns, and it is equally fair that the Commissioner of Native Lands shonld recommend, as he has readily done, immediate outlay for the protection of a valuable Native property. Further than arranging for procuring aid, promised and prospective, from these two sources, the meeting did not go in any resolutions, which were passed; but, although there was no special expression given to it except in the closing remarks of the Mayor, there was, no doubt, the feeling that the occasion was one upon which appeal should also be made to the General Government. In view of the undertaking" ofrailway works, and of these , works .being most advantageously carried out in connection with any scheme of river protection, it was a natural idea that the General Government should be communicated with on the subject, and a feeling which was not formally expressed by resolution at Saturday's meeting was fortunately acted upon, and, as it proves, with good effect. The County Chairman and the Borough authorities, it seems, simultaneously communicated with the Gorernraenfcj redting the circumstances, and suggesting the substantial reasons which exist for Government co-opera-tion in a work which is altogether too great to be accomplished by merely local efforts ; and the Government was as prompt and as favorable in its reply as any requiaitionista could well expect.. By the County Chairman, who visited Greymouth on Saturday, and who has actively interested himself in the matter, a telegram of which a

duplicate was sent to the Mayor was received yesterday from the Qplonial Secretary, and it is a telegram by which the local authorities feel fairly encouraged at 'once to proceed with such works as are likely to form part of the Government's design for the protection of the place. MrGisborne's telegram is to this effect : — "The General Government sympathise with the misfortune which the flood has occasioned at Greymouth. The Government have directed the District Engineer at once to proceed there, and to report as to the best protective measures against further damage, and they will do all in their power to secure life and property." Tim reply from the Government is a thoroughly satisfactory one, and it is expected that their instructions to Mr O'Uonnor will be carried out by that gentleman at once visiting Greymouth, if he has not even already done so. To his recommendations, the Borough Council will, no doubt, subordinate all their arrangements, so far as the profession of an engineer is concerned, but, as will be * seen elsewhere, they have so far anticipated his work by preparing the preliminaries for whatever measures of protection he may propose. These preparations will commence to-day, and, with the assurance which the Government has given, we shall hope that the works will bo as energetically advanced as they have thus, to the credit of all, been promptly initiated.