THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1140, 23 March 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1872.

The sentiments which we have ventured to express as to the very slight benefit derivable by the district from representation in the Nelson Council, constituted as that Council at present is, seem to be pretty generally sympathised with, if we may judge from the circumstances under which the election of a member was yesterday accomplished at Cobden. The time has been when Cobden became the "public place" at which a considerable amount of what might well be characterised as " abusive language " was used on the occasions of Provincial Council elections. On former occasions the aid of the printer and tho bill-sticker has been inyoked, and, no doubt, paid for, and warm interest, it is oven said, has been taken in the proceedings by such non-political personages as members of the police. But times have changed, as men have become wiser and less eager to occtipy an office which must prove more honorary to the person holding it than useful to the people by whom he is elected. Not only with individuals eligible for election, but among the multitude who have the power to elect, there has grown the conviction that popular excitement as to the return of men to a Council whose "votes and proceedings" are without influence in the actual administration of affairs is simply a popular delusion, calculated generally to disturb digestion, and not calculated to promote anything else in particular. The necessity for excitement over these elections has seemed the less since the General Government has undertaken some of the works which are really paramount in importance as a means of opening up the district. To these causes, and to the mention of his name as a gentleman willing to accept the office of Councillor, may bo attributed the almost ludicrously quiet manner in which Mr Kynnersley was yesterday elected as one of the merabbrs for the Grey District. Otlicr probable candidates were named, and one, at least, was believed to be, up to the hour of nomination,, willing to stand, but so slight was the interest taken in the event that only the smallest possible accession, for the shortest possible time, ivi.i made to the population of Cobden, and the proceedings were conducted with all the peacefulness, if not with the solemnity, which is described by the poet as having prevailed at the burial of Sir John Moore. The circumstances cannot

he said to have been a compliment to the Council, but they may ; fairly be said to be to some extent a compliment, to Mr Kynnersley. Though the office may be, owing to the constitution of the Council, and the absence of any executive power outside of the Superintendent's chair, simply an honorary one, Biich honor as 78 attached to it was conferred upon Mr Kynnersley as a recognition, no doubt, of his early and long connection with the district, and of his ability to serve its interests, if that ability should ever require to be exercised. Accepting it even on that understanding, Mr Kynnersley will probably find that the honor is not altogether a thornless rose. In the heat of the moment, we shall suppose, and when there was rankling within him a strong feeling of disappointment at the termination of his second connection with -the Government, he did not hesitate, on one of his visits to Cobden, to condemn the Superintendent, the so-called Executive, and the Council, in language which might be perfectly polite, but which was decidedly severe, and which will, no doubt, be remembered against him as a crow to be plucked on what may be called the co-operative principle. Mr Kynnersley has also, and since that occasion, given evidence in the Assembly that, though resolute for the right, and active in promoting the interests of his i district, he is deficient in the arts of effective representation, however good his reputation or his conduct may have been as an administrator. If he should bring with him to the Council the same contemptuous spirit in which he seemed, and we believe only seemed, to treat some of his fellow-members in the Assembly, it will be impossible for him to do even the little good that may be done. It is possible that, associating as he has done with the people of different parts of , the Colony since that time on a footing of equality, and not as the occupant of a position of very considerable power, he may have acquired that suavity and consideration for the humblest opinions which is so necessary in a humble body like the Council, and we sincerely hope that such is the case. In that event, his very intimate acquaintance with the district and with all other districts of the West Coast, his experience in the management of its affairs, his ability, and his tenacity of purpose, will enable him to become one of the most useful members in the Council, so far as usefulness can go, and the district will, have reason to congratulate itself upon the selection which it has made. Mere residence in the district for the time-being may well be dispensed with in a case where there is a general knowledge of its requirements, and a knowledge of routine in the conduct of tho business of a representative body, and both these qualifications Mr Kynnersley possesses in a degree sufficient to enable him to do as much as the surroundings may enable him to "doior-the interests of his constituents. ;