THE Grey Riber Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1205, 8 June 1872, Page 2

THE Grey Riber Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1872.

The petition from the Reefton district, praying tho Executive to withdraw the delegated powers under the Gold Fields Act from tho Superintendent of Nelson, has borae rapid, and what is more, satisfactory fruit. The Premier when on the Coast, throughout his tour, could not fail to see the outward and visible signs of discontent that pervaded tho whole of the South- West Gold Fields, and at the same time had amplo opportunity of ascertaining whether the complaiuts that were so freely made had foundation or not. As a matter of sourso he could do no more than say if the grievances complained of were properly brought before the Executive they would be listened to ; from information to hand yesterday, it sc'ems that this was no empty promise. We have repeatedlj of late referred to the Reefton petition, and the causes that Jed to it, tho last straw in fact that broke the back of Nelson South- West Gold Fields endurance, and we need not now further dwell on them. On receipt of the memorial the Government seem to have taken active steps ; and sought the best counsel that they could possibly have turned to in the member for the Grey district. Mr Harrison has been for many years intimately associated with the public affairs of the Coast ; he has had from his position peculiar advantages and special opportunities of gathering information in reference to popular feeling and fhe administration, of public affairs. His views have been endorsed by the people on many occasions in a conclusive manner by his return on two occasions to the House of Representatives, and also to the County Council since Westland has been constituted. He has fought several political campaigns, and it is not too much to say that he possesses the complete confidence of his constituents. We make this somewhat lengthy allusion to him because he is the referee to whom the Government have appealed, and we wish to show that as far as this district i 3 concerned it would desire no better adviser to be consulted. We pro jftlensftd.. from _anv_iielicacy on the head, as Mr Harrison hap ceased ior ~ar considerable time to be directly or indirectly connected with this journal. We yesterday received from private sources the following telegram from |Wellington : — "Mr W.,H. Harrison,' M.H.R. for the Grey District, has been requested to furnish the Government with a memorandum upon the Reefton petition. He recommends as the only remedy for the chronic discontent on the South- West Gold Fields a complete detachment from any control of the Nelson Government. He proposes a unification of the electoral districts of the Buller, Grey Valley, Hokitika, and Totara as a Prtyince of Westland, with the following«provision3 for local administration :— In the Province there should be three Counties, viz., those of Hokitika, Grey, and Buller, with a Council consisting of seven persons, viz., the Chairmen of Road Boards, and Mayors of Boroughs, and three others elected by ratepayers, to meet once a quarter. The revenue of County Councils -to consist of all local taxation, publicans' licenses, dog tax, &c, and such a proportion of the Gold Fields land revenue, not being less than 25 per cent., as the Provincial Council may award to each Council respectively. " The Provincial Council to consist of fifteen elected members, one member for each road district and two members for each County town " The Superintendent aud Governor's delegate to be nominated during pleasure. The Counties to consist of the following Road Districts :— "County of Hokitika to include Totara, Hokitika Town, Kanieri and Arahura. " Comity of Grey to include Paroa, Ahaura, Greymouth, and other road districts to be determined on: . : 11 County of Buller to include Inaugahua, VVestport, Charleston, aud Brighton. " The Provincial Council to have power to legislate in the form of bye-laws for certain prescribed subjects. " All Gold Fields Offices and Courts to bo under the General Government. "The Provincial Council, at its first sitting, to decide the capital of the Province. "Mr Harrison points out also that the ' present is a favorable opportunity for making , these changes in. Wcstlautl, as the County j Council expires in December next. He further suggests that Okarito, on account of the smallness of its population, should be united to the Totara District." Nomore important suggestions have boen made to any Government in reference to this part of the Colony, since the Coast was opened than are contained in the above, and we would more especially draw the attention of the public to the fact that they were asked for, and not tendered voluntarily. It is very evident that the Government intend taking energetic action, and there is every .hope that if the people on the Coast are but true to themselves, they will not only gain political power and influence, but will have the administration of their own affairs in their own hands. It has been the curse | of the West Coast to be Bplit up into petty strips of country. Jealousies that should never have existed have led to open rupture, and the governing powers finding a house divided against itself, have turned the fact to the best account. We cannot at present pretend to give a critical opinion on the scheme as snbmitted, as far as details go, for we were as surprised yesterday .to receive as we doubt not out readers will be this morning' to peruse it. As a whole, however, we most cordially endorse it, and feel assured that it, or some modification of it, will be warmly received on the Gold Fields, and, we think, all other parts of

ihe Coast. AH that is wanted is unity ; md if we can succeed in securing this, .he battle is won, and the Province of SVestland, as a whole, will take a very | lifferent stand to the Gold Fields of. the West Coast, divided between a County government and what may be termed the foreign rule of Nelson. We were equally astonished and gratified a short time ago tofind thatour Hokitika contemporary, the Times, agreed with us as to the necessity for a change, and the benefits to be derived from a union of the various coastal districts under one Government. We trust now that ho will give his aid 'in promoting an alliance that cannot fail to be of advantage to all ; all being wrapped up in one chief common bond of interest, namely, the development of their gold fields and mineral resources. We sincerely hope that no petty feeling in reference to the " capital" will interfere with the broad principle of good government. That fixture is of small importance in comparison with emancipation from maladministration, that has bowed down and retarded the progress of the West Coast of this island so long. We would most earnestly impress on all residents, whether iv the Buller, the Grey, the Hokitika, the Totara (or Okarito districts, the very serious propositions that are put forward as advice to the Government, with a view to their being deeply and carefully considered by every thinking man within their boundaries. There are now only five weeks to elapse before the General Assembly meets for business, and no time is to be lost in obtaining such an expression of public opinion as will strengthen the hands of the Government in any action they may take, and- may guide them in such a direction as will lead to the changes made being acceptable to the various communities concerned. This can only be done by holding public meetings throughout the whole of the Coast : in towns and on the gold fields, and discussing in the fullest manner the proposals as suggested by Mr Harrison. As we have already said, we do riot commit ourselves to anything more than a general opinion that, as a whole, the changes laid down will Joe eminently satisfactory, and be received with, the liveliest joy. As to details, we refrain at present from entering into them. Without doubt, at public meetings valuable suggestions for amendment will probably be made, and as certainly be acted on. Surely in the face of so great reforms in administration, people will at last speak ; public spirit cannot be dead on the Coast, though it has certainly slept some time everywhere but in Reefton. It would be a disgrace on Greymouth, Hokitika, Ross, and Westport to be longer silent ; whether favorable or otherwise, let them now pronounce decidedly one way or other.