The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 902, 21 August 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1879.

Our Southern neighbors may he complimented on the adoption of a policy in regard to the railway deviation question as saltish .as it is suicidal. It has been hinted on more than one occasion that the sympathies of the residents of this district tend more in favor of Grey-

mouth than Hokitika. Can ifc for one moment be wondered at, when we consider that any question of importance to this district, instead of receiving the support to which it may be justly entitled, is, on the contrary, taken iu hand in the most lukewarm manner, with a view to paralyze indirectly the benefits sought to be obtained. The proposed deviation of the Hokitika and Greymouth Railway affords a striding illustration of how the wishes of more than three-foufths of the inhabitants of this district (in conjunction with the majority of the Grey mouth residents) are to be madej if possible, subservient to the opinions of a few people not endowed with sufficient acumen to observe that they are standing in their own light. Public meetings have been held throughout the district and in Grey mouth, at which it lias been almost unanimously resolved that the deviation of the Hokitika and Greyinouth. Railway line through the mining centres would be beneficial to the residents of the coast generally. And now, forsooth, what follows? When a meeting for a similar purpose is convened in Hokitika, the citizens of that aristocratic town—believing doubtlessly that their imaginary coal trade may be impeded thereby—at once show a spirit of antagonism in the form of an amendment abounding with sufficient improbable theories to guarantee that, if adopted, the deviation, so far as Hokitika is concerned, would be a dead letter. Is there, we would ask, any sensible person who for one instant could be deluded into the belief that the construction of the beach line will benefit Hokitika to anything near a similar extent to that of the deviation passing through the inland townships ] We say no, and that the line of policy adopted by Hokitika on this and several other questions affecting the well-being of this district, goes far to shake what little faith we may have had in her advocacy of our interests. A track was applied for a short time ago from the tramway to the South beach by ratepayers of ten years standing. The cost was small, the work urgent, and the first ever requested in the locality. The question came on for discussion in the County Council and of course was thrown out—it was in this district, and not a member South of the Arahura would support tke motion. A motion for some necessary works at' Larrikins meet with a similar fate. These are Only,one or two of numberless cases that go far to prove that although as a district we contribute largely to the general exchequer out "filthy lucre" —not our interests—are the prinary considerations that allow us to be even tolerated by our southern would-be rulers. And while on this subject we might point out another and very objectionable phrase this matterassurnes. Among the candidates spoken of for the representation of this district are gentlemen whose sole interest is centred in Hokitika, and in the event of their return to Parliament we would ask if the chances would not be greatly in favour of their influence being exercised in support of the wishes of the town, not the district, they represent. We say despite of all electioneering pledges to the contrary that such would be the case, and it behoves the electors of this district to take this matter into serious consideration before recording their votes in tho forthcoming elections. As the mainstay of Hokitika, and possessing the balance of the voting power of the electorate in its favour, this district should no longer be cajoled with soft words, flowery speechs and contemptuous treatment, but should assert its authority, now it has the opportunity, in a manner that will probably awaken the minds of our Hokitika friends to the fact that although a, mining community we can express our wishes and also carry them into effect if necessary.