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

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1260, 13 August 1872, Page 2

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

If any doubt existed previously in reference to the intentions of the Nelson Government towards their South-West Gold Fields possessions, they must have been dissipated very effectually by the "proceedings in Parliament," of which we have been the persistent chroniclers. For years past it has been abundantly shown that the ruling Provincial powers have regarded the West Coast territory, of which they are unhappily the possessors, as a kind of milch cow, by means of which their hungry offspring on the other side of the range are to be nourished. The whole of the unfortunate districts that have been hitherto compelled to acknowledge Nelson sway have had sad experience of the tender mercies of Provincial rule, and the Provincial chief, Mr Curtis, has not only failed to express the feeling of discontent that exists in Westland North, but has condescended to statements to which, in the ordinary business of life, harsh terms would be used. That many of them are greatly at variance with facts is the mildest mode of describing them, but we presume that, as the old adage says, " all is fair in love and war," Mr Curtis supposes the same latitude is extended to political matters, particularly when partition of Provinces is the question. The contradiction to the allegations of the Superintendent will be conveyed in the memorials about to be forwarded to the General Executive, and is not necessary to re-state. But whilst being compelled to suffer from the presence of a declared enemy in the Assembly, it certainly is too bad that he should be able to leave his sting behind him, and that Greymouth, the Grey Valley, and Reefton should so particularly, be made to feel its point. This feat, however, the Nelson Executive has been singularly successful in ; and they have so far contrived to baffle the exertions of the General Government, to tho detriment of the districts and places referred to, in a most skilful and unscrupulous manner. When the Premier and the Public Works Minister for this island visited Reefton, they were convinced of the value and importance of that field, and in consequence of their convictions, roads were at once commenced between Reefton and Christy's, on the Buller, and from Reefton to the Mia Mia in the direction of the Grey. From the Mia Mia to the Ahaura, by way of the Junction and Totara .Flat, a road had already been made or was in process of formation. At the sarae.thne, the road from Greymouth to Omotumotu and from thence to the Arnold was being constructed and is now rapidly approaching completion. There is yet a break in the line of road — from tho Arnold to the Ahaura, and if people wait for the Nelson Government to move in the matter, they may wait from now till doomsday. Here is where the evident animus of the Nelson Executive, that i 3 to say, Messrs Curtis (Superintendent), Shephard (Treasurer), and Greenfield (Provincial Secretary), is manifested. During the last session of the Provincial Council, an Ordinance, having for its object the formation of throe roads, to ( be paid for part in money and part in land, or wholly in land, at tho discretion of the Superintended wan carried and assented to. Amongst these, the Ahaura and Arnold road was specially mentioned, but up to. the present time nothing whatever has been done further. Tho resolution of the Council and the measure they passed, have been deliber. (

ately treated as a dead letter by the Nelson Executive, and for all practical purposes Reefton is as far distant from Greymouth as ever. . Mr Curtis and his officers have not even thought it worth their while to call for tenders under the terms prescribed, and from what can be gathered, they have no intention to do anything of the sort. No one ever expected other from them, and certainly, to do fhem justice, they have preserved their consistency to the last in draining as much as possible from the Gold Fields, and giving aB little as possible in return. The matter, now, however, has gone beyond such pettifogging as Curtis and Co. think fit to indulge in, and public opinion, though tardily, has been aroused at last. That the freest communication with the Inangahua district is above all things necessary, both to the residents therein and this port, cannot but be apparent, but with the road between the Arnold and Ahaura unmade it cannot be. Wedonotcare to dwell on the motives that have actuated the Nelson Government in thus delaying, for they must be obvious to all, and only add one more item to the long and unsatisfactory roll of complaint. But the question next arises— are the Valley people, the residents and business men of Reefton and Greymouth satisfied with this virtual stoppage of road communication ? More than that — are the General Government content to see their efforts in this direction frustrated by the Nelson Executive, and their works rendered actually valueless through incompletion 1 Though the Saddle road from 'Reefton to Mia-Mia is an unquestionable benefit under any circumstances, it is clear that it is not of half the value intended, as the link in continuity referred to abbve is wanting. There is, moreover, no reason why this want should be, for the line of road has been surveyed years ago, money for construction was voted years, ago, and I never devoted to the intended purpose, in addition to which recent provision has been made for it which the Superintendent has most insolently ignored. It is not likely that the General Government will consent to be made fools of, or to have their intentions defeated by Nelson authorities, neither is it reasonable or sensible on the part of those interested to allow such a state of affairs to exist without protest. We would, therefore, suggest that a public meeting be called, and that steps be taken io inform the Colonial Executive on the course adopted by their Nelson miniature in reference to the road in question. Despite Provincial cleverness the General Government can so put the screw on as to compel the Nelson authorities to do something, or, failing that, to stand aside whilst others, more able and willing, perform the necessary work at their expense or risk. The subject is one of grave importance both to the business men of Reefton and Greymouth, and one that, if they are alive to their own interest, they should not allow to sleep. All that is wanted is that a true representation of affairs be made to superior authorities, when we have no doubt speedy redress will follow. It i 3 certain that the Superintendent and Executive of Nelson are to be dealt with as hostile in the mattery it rests with the public, of the districts interested to say whether they will allow that enmity to be successful,- and whether they are satisfied to allow a gap to remain in a main road, for the closing of which abundant provision has been made. The laissez faire of Nelson ia alone to bkire ; it is to be hoped that prompt action on the Coast will waken those sleepers from the dreams that they evidently are now indulging in.