THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1874

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1758, 24 March 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLI SHED DAI LY. TUESDAY , MARCH 24, 1874

i ■In yesterday's issue we endeavored to show, at least partially, to what causes the public depopulation of this Coast was , attributable, and also the effect that the short-sighted policy of both the General aiid Local "Governments had had on the permanent - settlement of Westland. On the present occasion we stand very' much in the position of him who locked the stable-door after the steed had been stolen, for 'the mischief of years cannot be repaired in a day, and the neglect that has been shown cannot be a;oned for by any hasty repentance. The least that could be expected, and the v ;most that could be hoped for, under present circumstances, would be that the Government would to the utmost of their pbwer hasten the water supply works now bfeing constructed, and would deal liberally with any enterprises that may be on the tqpis, provided reasonable proof of their usefulness be adduced. It is all very well idr Mr Yogel to be supplying heart-blood to the Colony in the shape of immigration from Europe, but if he, as the representative of the Government, allows it to; be drained away to the Palmer or elsewhere at a greater ratio than it is introduced, New South Wales or! "Queensland derives the benefit alone. Besides the greater schemes of the General Government in their waterrace schedule to the Immigration Act, whereby a sum was set aside in aid of watt-r supply — an am rant, by "the way altogether out of proportion to the objects in view — the Provincial Governments should join in the good work so far as to subsidise small venture* that would be beneath the notice of the Colonial authorities. There are scores of acre 3of ground that would pay well and would be quickly taken up if those who know their value had the means to bring water on to the ground. The sum necessary in a large number of cases is small, so small indeed that to apply for aid to the General Givernment would seem a mockery. In some cases the whole aid needed would be perhaps £50, in other cases £100, and in j the majority of the instances to which we I refer £200 would be the" extreme limit. These respective outlays, small as they may be, would have ; the effect of fostering a population on the ground, and by affording them means of gaining a certain livelihood prevent them from being disturbed by the Palmer or other fevers. - Limited as the Provincial Council's means are, some provision to this effect might be made. There is every reason why the fullest confidence should be reposed in the Wardens in charge of 1 the various districts, and if a small subsidy in the shape of a loan were granted on their recommendation in the introduction of lesser works than the General Government contemplate assisting, many spots- now deserted would be taken up, and what is now barren ground would be worked to advantage. At present we can only throw put the general idea, but in the recess we trust that amongst other "antidotes to tht Palmerfever, members of the Provincial Council may not think the •above suggestion -• vii worthy i>t notice. There can be no doubt -whatever tha

activity ai present means life or death to the Coast, and that both the local and the General Governments by their action hold its fate ia their hands. It becomes the special duty of the Superintendent, who is alone in the administration, to bring the critical position of the Coast before the notice of the General Government, so that all possible means may be taken to avert the depopulation at present threatened. We may say that the subject has already engrossed the serious attention of the Progress Committee, and that the member for the district has been by no means idle. The following telegram in reference to the Nehon Creek race was addressed by the latter yesterday to the Minister of Public Works : — " Please inform me for publication the position of the Nelson Creek water-race. The miners are leaving for Palmer river, but if the race be at once commenced it will help to induce them to remain. — W. H. Harrison." To this the subjoined reply was received : — " Wellington, 5 p.m. W. H. Harrison, Esq., M.H.R., Greymouth. The amounts cannot fairly be compared until the written tenders deposited with local engineers are received in Wellington. The contract will be decided as soon as they are received. They are on the way. — Edward Richardson."

This is only one of a score of similar works that are needed, and though the meagre information so obtained is anything but fully satisfactory, it is at least better than nothing, and there is still a hope that the Hochstetter race may not be a matter to be regarded as visionary only in time to come. This will be one of the instalments of works required, one of the undertakings that will bind men to the soil, and will render Palmer or other rushes harmless. Such works on both a major and a minor scale must be fostered and encouraged if the Legislature expect that the half reclaimed wilderness of tho West Coast of this island is ever to be permanently settled, and upon the prompt manner in which those now in power deal with the question the future of Westland must inevitably depend.