THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1106, 13 February 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1872.

The brief telegraphic description of the interview between the Premier and the inhabitants of Westport certainly left the impression 'that the latter had utilised to the utmost the opportunity afforded them of exercising the Englishman's privilege. We ventured to think, indeed, that they had done so with somewhat more of valor than discretion, and suggested that, while probably diligent as a hearer, the Premier would be wisely reticent as a speaker. The full repoifc of the proceedings more than confirms our impression. In the language of the vulgar, the deputation certainly did "wire in" with extreme heartiness on the subject of Nelson neglect, and the faults and failings of the Superintendent of the Province. It was the opinion of one speaker, for instance—and probably there are good grounds for the faith that is in him— that " as for any benefit that the people there derived from the proximity of the Superintendent, he might equally well reside "n London!" By another of the deputation, the same idea was expressed, with I a different geographical reference, and a finer climax. "So far as the Nelson Government was concerned, it might," he said, " be as well in Hong Kong, and the Superintendent as well be a Mandarin of the Celestial Empire." Had the interview been protracted, a third speaker might, possibly, have suggested that the Superintendent might go to a mere distant destination than even Hong Kong. As it was, Mr Fox heard enough of Nelson mal-administrationto make him think seriously, :'£ he said nothing. And, as we suggested, he was very careful to say that nothing in language becoming the situation and . the diplomatist. He thanked the deputation for< their "very full statement of local grievances." "The majority of them, however, had reference to matters over which the General Government had no control." ." Yet'he had received many useful hints, and much valuable information.?' On other subjects regarding which the General Government had control, and by referring to which only the deputation would have acted more in accordance with etiquette, though not with their instincts, the honorable | gentleman was more explicit, and one of these was the very fairly mooted subject of the diversion of £6000 of the West Coast Road or Railway Fund to the district of Waimea, on the plea that it was to be expended in the Upper Buller. By the deputation this misappropriation of a portion of the Middle Island Railway Fund, already described by the member, for the Grey Valley as a " gross violation of good faith," was denounced as. "a most iniquitous proceeding," and iiß iniquity, as represented to him then, seemed to be fully appreciated by Mr Fox. As his speech is reported, "he had no difficulty in referring to that subject. Any arrangement made by his colleagues with Mr Curtis had been conducted during his absence, and could only be of a temporary or provisional character. He quite agreed that the object of that vote was that four-elevenths should be devoted to exclusively Gold Fields purposes, and was altogether apart from and disconnected with the wttled districts of

Nelson. Apart from that consideration, hhe was at present of opinion that the only proper means of opening up the In'augahua and Grey Valley districts was by the roads now in contemplation. He had examined plans and maps, and thought it was veiy unlikely that he should have reason to alter that opinion. He had communicated with his colleagues in respect to the matter, arid h"e thought it very likely that they would "endorse his views." Araon^Hhe multiplicity of matters to which the Westport deputation made reference, there was thus at least one subject iin connection with which they may i- be said to have done some good service, and the service will be complete, and Mr Fox's mission to the West Coast will be a remunerative one to the district, if, as we believe it will be, this amount of sixy thousand pounds is retained for the purpOße for which it "was unquestionably voted by the Assembly. The intentiona of the Assembly, it is true,, may* not have miscarried, as there undoubtedly would have bean agitation on a matter regarding which suspicions had been raised as soon as Mr Curtis had, in his. speech at Nelson, spoken of expending part of the fund on that district which is so remarkable for ..the elasticity of its, geographical boundaries ~ the Upper Buller. But, brought thus prominently under notice, there is the more certainty of the faithful expenditure of the fund being secured. Ancl this should not be the only good resulting from Mr Fox's visit, pursuing his mission, as he promises to do, with the purpose of " making himself thoroughly acquainted, as far as possible, with the various mining interests and all the different settlements, including the interior of this Province, to the verge of Mount Cook."