THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1582, 30 August 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1873.

Loual fears as to the fate of the Province of Westland Bill when it would come to be considered by the Legislative Council are already being partially realised. The conclusion formed was that by the Council it would be less appreciated as a remedial measure than its merits warranted, for the simple reason that the majority of the members of that august body are indifferently informed as to Westland's wants, and it was also feared that in a matter of detail of importance to this district — the conservation of the Coal Reserve for its original object— there would be a repetition of that opposition which has hitherto come from those who may be briefly said to be better informed on the subject than they are well-disposed. The information which we received yesterday from Wellington confirms these conclusions and fears, yet there is no reason to contemplate the fate of the Bill being altogether unfavorable to the interests of the district and the good intentions o£ the Ministry and of our local member. As we are informed, the Bill was introduced in the Upper House yesterday afternoon, and it became the subject of somewhat prolonged debate. Primarily, the Hon. James Bonar bitterly opposed the addition which was made to the measure in the House of Representatives by Mr Harrison, the purpose of which was to take the disposal of the Greymouth Coal Reserve out of the power of the proposed Provincial Council. The Hon. Mr Lahman gets the credit of having spoken well, and effectively on the subject generally, and he is stated tq have, in particular, defended the provision "referred to with regard to the Reserve. The Hon. Mr Waterhouser and other members, whose wisdom "miy be questioned though not altogether disputed, objected to the Bill on the ground that it was better for the district, to re-unite with Canterbury. The Canterbury members, on. the' contrary, pointed out that the diversity of interests between the two districts was as. great now as it had ever been, and, whether it was meant to be- a compliment to Canterbury or Westland, or was destitute of ' compliment either way, they did not desire to have Westland members in the Canterbury Provincial Council. The Hon. Captain Fraser, with that facility of altering his mind by which he is fortunately characterised, moved the previous question for the purpose of shelving the Bill, but he afterwards withdrew the motion. At this suggestive stage, the debate upon the Bill was adjourned until Tuesday next, and, so far as we can learn, if the measure be then carried in the Council, it will only be by a close division. Mr Bonar, we may feel assured, is diligently industrious in the endeavor to prevent the Greymouth Corporation getting the Coal Reserve, his expressed estimats of it in the Council, being that it is the most valuable property of the County. Should the Council, in deference to his endeavors, strike out the provision relating thereto, Mr Harrison will, however, move the House of Representatives to ; disagree with the amendment, and it is to be hoped he may do so successfully. Upon that subject sufficient has surety been written to show that the Reserve was made for a specific. purpose— the improvement of the navigation of the river Grey; but, space permitting, and the necessity presenting itself, more shall be written anon. '„. . '

It must not be, for it cannot be with any credit to the community, the fate of the Grey Literary Association to become ah institution of the past, and to have its gradually accumulated properties scattered abroad by the auctioneer's hammer, or concentrated in the hands of a select few. . It would be a reflection upon the spirit, the intelligence, and the education , of the community if an institute which is of such common existence everywhere should fail to be established in Greymbuth, and not only established, but established, so as to nourish and, in a metaphorical way, to bring forth good fruit for many years to coined Unfortunately a failure in this particular is apparently > imminent unless the public take a lively interest in a matter which is; purely the concern of the public, including those interesting parties — posterity. That such interest is not altogether absent is indicated by the character of the comments contained in the letters which are published in our present issue, and it is to be hoped that these letters will themselves be influential in awakening such interest as maybe dormant, and in extending such as may exist. The spirit in which they are written at least saves us from indulging in such comments as otherwise the subject deserves. They point particularly to the propriety of the matter of maintaining the association, society, institute,, or whatever it may be called, being made a public question, and of the institute itself being popularised as much as possible. It has been its misfortune that, however laudably, initiated by a few, and as laudably expanded in its objects afterwards, the institute even unto the present has suffered from unfortunately inheriting its early reputation for exclusiveness ; and that misfortune has < been aggravated by the fact that it is the effect of an entire misunderstanding on the part of the public. There is now nothing of exclusiveness about it beyond what may be involved in the possibility of its membership, like the membership of all other institutions, including seme who think a great deal of themselves and very little of others ; but a membership which embraces all descriptions qf souls, even to the smallest, is surely liberal, not exclusive. The exclnsiveness, if truly tested, will be found qri the part of the psfyji; who cannot or will not appreciate the advantages of a well-selected little library, a nfagajine of magazines, news and a'rqom^tp 'read # in, with the advantages pf' fire, light, and tt^ presence qf the next' atcribu|ie' to godliness— cjleantf.

ness. That the institute is not supported at present is a pity for those who are absent from it, and it will be a greater pity if the effort now recommended to be made be not made, and made early. For the democratic affectation of calling any new organisation a Mechanics' Institute there is no necessity. Except in large cities the name has been a misnomer everywhere, and would be so here; but the institute may.be popularised under its present or any other name ; and "the people" themselves are the people to do it.

The Suprem e Court sittings will commence at Hokitika on Monday next. His Honor Judge Gresson arrived on Wednesday night to preside. There are seven cases on the calendar. In the Queen v. Joyce,, in which the defendant was committed for criminal libel, it is unknown what the proceedings may be, although Mr Rowland Davis does riot pursue the prosecution. The other cases are W. Burke, charged with larceny from the Scandinavian Hotel ; R. E. Greenwood, embezzlement ; George Freeman, maliciously wounding a cow ; Jane Stratford, perjury at Ross ; Louisa O'Brien, arson in a public-house; and Peter Mulvey, shooting with intent to murder at Ahaura. There are two civil cases, Montgomery v. Ashton, and the Greymouth Tramway Company v. the County Chairman. It is probable, says the Hokitika Star, that the first will be settled, and the latter is not likely to be tried here, butwill probably be submitted to the arbitration of his Honor or other persons that may be agreed on.

Ratepayers in the Borough should remember that the nominations of three members of the Council require to be made on Friday, the 2nd September. The retiring members are Mr Woolcock, li!ast Ward, Mr M'Gregor, Middle Ward, and Mr Dupre, West Ward.

In the District Court, in reply to a question from Mr Guinness, his Honor stated that sittings of the Court were adjourned to the 9th at Reefton, and the 12th. at Ahaura.