THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1189, 21 May 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1872.

In spite of the promised reformation on' the part of the Nelson Government, in connection with the administration of the Grey Valley Gold Melda, the feeling of dissatisfaction has not in the least degree abated, simply because the people have been so frequently deceived that they are not likely to be again deluded by any false promises or bogus votes. The cry of wolf has been so often raised that it is disbelieved, and should, by some strange' accident, anything come to pass favorable to the Gold Fields that the Nelson Executive pledge themselves to, it will not cause more surprise amongst those, interested than the fabled wolf is reputed to have occasioned amongst the fabulous shepherds. It is too late for any hope of the breach that has been widening for so many years, and has now attained such dimensions, to be closed by any Buch arts as are now used. The people of the Grey Valley and the residents on the Nelson South- West Gold Fields generally, are not likely to have the discontent engendered by years of maladministration effaced in a month or two by honied words or pledges that are like the proverbial pie-crust, professedly made to be broken. Death-bed repentances are seldom deeply believed in ; they bear too much the flavor of the old couplet — The devil was sick; the devil a saint would be. The devil got well ; the devil a saint was he. There cannot be a doubt as to. the reasons that have led to the apparent change in the Nelsonian policy, and if that Government could fall lower in public estimation, such sickly attempts at conciliation must causo their descent. Possibly, in the manner in which the delelegated powers have been exercised, the Superintendent has conscientiously believed that he waß acting for the best ; but it has been a Bad mistake jfpr the Gold Fieldß throughout, and a heavy misfortune that anyone so utterly and completely ignorant of mining and mining requirements should have been constituted virtual dictator over so many thousands of persons with whose pursuits and habits he had so little acquaintance. Whilßt on the one hand the existence of his authority has been a heavy blow and sad discouragement to the miners, for years past, it has been unlucky to his reputation as fitted to occupy the somewhat exalted position that he has so 1 ill filled, as far as the Gold Fields are concerned. If a nervous gentleman undertakes to drive four-in-hand through a crowded, thoroughfare with raw horses, he would scarcely meet with success in threading his way, or much sympathy when he came to inevitable grief ; and, Sst in the same way, so thoroughly has r Curtis mismanaged the business of the Gold Fields which he so rashly undertook, that he cannot wonder at tliose who have suffered from his temerity using hard words in reference to it, and protesting againt being subjected for a longer period to such unsafe and unskilful guidance. The fact is that, aa in other unions or dis-

unions that are famous, there is an incompatibility of temperament between Nelson and her South-west Gold Fields possessions. The ill-matched couple have no interests in common, conjoined as they now are, though, separated, they might be of use and benefit to each other. The gold fields can consume the produce arid products of Nelson province proper ; what is more, pay handsomely for them, and mutual advantages cannot but flow from such commerce as must In this way arise. At the same time the old adage about what is sauce for the goose being sauce for the gander will not apply in the present case, for what is fitting for Nelson proper is unsuitable in many instances for its coastal gold fields. Legislations needed that is beyond the power even of the bestintentioned Provincial Council to make applicable to both sides of the Province. When, as has been the case for years past, the weaker side, as far as representation goes, although infinitely more robust as far a~s meant*, and energy go, is systematically plundered, it is time to protest. We have every confidence that this will be done in such vigorous fashion on the occasion of the Assembly meeting that it will reach the ears for whom it is intended, and what is more will attract such; attention that the pressing reforms needed will be made. As we said at the outset the public of the Grey Valley and the people Greymouth, its natural port, do not trust the Nelson 'Executive individually or collectively^ and it is vain for i fchab body to seek to win confidence at this late season. They have been tried, and have been found lamentably wanting; they have raised hopes for the formation of roads, and the prosecution of other public works that have never been realised ; they have levied the greatest exactions from the miners in the shape of fees, &c, that was possible, and have given nothing in return, and as a nraster- ! stroke and fitting climax they have by the course pursued in- reference jto leases refused) thrown some hundreds' of men out of employment during the winter; months, as well as retarded progress, and prevented the introduction of capital. This last feat was performed in "obedience to a ranting •■ demagogue's action in getting up a memorial that contained its refutation in itself, and which those foolish enough to affix their names to have had ample time and bitter occasion to repent of. Though the leasing blow was the last of ;the Nelson favors for which ihe district has to thank the Provincial Executive, it is only one of a series, and an earnest desire for a separation as early and as complete as is possible, is felt on the whole of the Coast. But we would point out that this should take the form of action, and not remain in a chrysalis condition of grumbling only. All that is needed is some organisation j proper representation of the grievances complained of, and, as Mr Fox, on his late visit, pointed out, some unity and agreement as to what we desire. The whole Coast is ripe for such a movement, if some public spirited people will only start it, and it will speedily acquire such force and volume as will astonish a good many. In a recent jxticle on the same subject, the West Coast Times, which we may assume indicates the feeling of the district, gave in adhesion to some comprehensive change of administration oeing" maue, -aim- wo Imio.<,^a.. to know that, both on the Gold Fields on the coast of Westland and Nelson, as well as up the country, it would be hailed with joy. Why are our public men so backward, and why will they not come forward and initiate action that must be attended with best consequences to themselves and the locality in which they live ? It is the disinclination evinced in taking an active part in public matters that has brought about the existing unsatisfactory state of things, and it is most devoutly to be hoped that in the face of present peril this apathy and long suffering will be shaken off. The mine is laid, it only wants a bold hand to apply the match, when all that it is needful can be secured, and an efficient, in lieu of effete administration of West Coast affairs be secured. The time is slipping away — in a very few weeks the Assembly will meet, and if the opportunity is not seized, more than a year must elapse before redress of any kind can be obtained. With the Assembly rests the power ; we have only to show how that can best serve us, to have it exercised.