THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1303, 2 October 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1872.

The measure which we yesterday mentioned as being in course of preparation with a view to giving to the population of the Nelson South-West Gold Fields a greater share in tho representation and administration of their affairs than they at present possess has already been submitted to Parliament. We then stated that, with tho aid of Mr Shephard and Mr Harrison, steps were being taken to devise a scheme which was likely to prove much more acceptable to the population of the West Coast than, any further experiments in the direction of extending the County system, as proposed by Mr Arthur Collins, and infinitely preferable to the postponement of the whole question of West Coast government, as proposed by Messrs Stafford and Curtis. That scheme has since, and earlier than wo expected, been submitted to the House by MrShephard, and its character is briefly indicated in the telegrams which are published in our present number. Briefly indicated as it is, the object, it will be seen, is to abolish, not to aggravate, the aggravating grievances arising from the choice of the Grey River as a boundary line, and to unite the Gold Fields as far south as the Teremakau under 'one common form of government. It is, in fact, nominally, though with a considerable difference as to particulars, a renewal of the project which has been familiarly and locally known as Annexation. The difference lies in the design to give what has long been fought for — a full and fair share of representation to the Coast under Provincial institutions, the advantages of local Road Boards, and the allocation of district expenditure, as nearly as possible, according to district income. With the details of the Bill we are not yet fully acquainted, but it will, no doubt, contain a provision for the payment to Westland, on the part of Nelson, of a sum equivalent to the value of the territory acquired as far as the Teremakau, while it will also be made a stipulation sum shall be secured for expenditure on the Gold Fields, including the territory so acquired. Such, at least, we believe will be the stipulation insisted upon by members who are, as to other particulars, favorable to the measure, and, with these restrictions imposed, we are pretty hopeful of the measure recommending itself both to a majority of the House and to the people more immediately concerned. Should the measure be carried, there will naturally follow a general election of representatives throughout the extended Province, and of a Superintendent who will no longer be returned by the Buffrages of a select few, but by the general vote of a population of which the Grey Valley residents represent no mean proportion.