THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1869.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 35, 1 October 1869, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1869.

If there was one agreeable feature in tlie consultation between Mr. Gillies and the Joint Committee in July last, it was the declaration made by that gentleman that, it' lie was not able to pro mise much, he had promised nothing that he would not, and could not, perform. Now,' let us see what Mr. (xiilies actually did promise," and then enquire whether or not he has acted up to his promises. In the first place, Mr Gillies undertook to bring the matter of the kludge Channel under the immediate consideration of the Executive—to arrange forthwith with the runholders respecting the surrender of a portion of the runs in the vicinity of the town for the purposes of Agriculture and Commonage, and to inquire into the matters of the alteration of the Mail Contract, and the Extension of Telegraphic communication to jNaseby. The only way we have of judging whether or not Mr. Gillies has acted up to his promises B is by the receipt ot some communication from him upon tLe subjects to which we have referred, Surely sufficient time has elapsed to justify our expecting an intimation of some kind, either good or bad. Yet, so far as Ave know ourselves, or as we believe the public know, no communication of any kind has yet reached this place from him, and we are consequently as much in the dark upon all questions affecting the interests of tiie District as though that gentleman had never paid this place a visit. Upwards of two months have elapsed since Mr. Gillies' visit, and we think that the time is arrived when he should be reminded of his statements and his promises, and enquiry instituted as to whether or not his efforts, if made, have been successful. The ordinary channel through which information such as we require should be sought is, we are aware, the Improvement Committee; but that body has of late shown an amount of supineness which seems to conduce to no other belief than that they have become, defunct. Indeed,if we have

been rightly informed, their own rules | would seem to admit of no other de- j duction, for bj those rule 3 a meeting ] of the Committee must be convened on the first Wednesday of each month; and any member failing to attend two consecutive meetings ceases, ipso facto, to be a member. If such be the case, and upwards of three months having elapsed since last the Committee iuet, or transacted business of any kind, that body has absolutely collapsed from effeteness ai Ld inanition. To our mind it is a matter of absolute impossibility that the affairs of the town and district can be properly and efficiently carried on, and its various interests properly watched and attended to, without the existence of some recognised body or head. The body which hitherto exercised these necessary functions having become either wholly or partially defunct, it behoves the settlers, miners, and all who have cast their lot in this District, if they do not desire to be practically ignored—if they do not wish to have their interests entirely neglected, and their requirements totally unattended to —in a word, if it be their desire that the District should not be virtually snuffed out —it behoves them we say (unless they are prepared to accept a state of affairs such as we have described) to awake from their inaction and lethargy, and take some immediate action with a view of supplying the place of the Committee which has either deserted them, or has died from inanition and the absence of the power of cohesion. Should, however, there exist a doubt as to the existence or decease of the Improvement Committee the members would be doing an act of not only of justice but of duty by sending in the resignation of the offices to which they were elected by the public, but which they have ceased to hold to their advantage. So much accomplished, a public meeting should be convened, a new Committee elected, and the disordered coach once more repaired and set in motion. New brooms generally sweep clean, and there is little doubt that a new Committee would buckle kindly to their work, If we really desire and expect the District to go a-heal—to assume the position vvhich its pcpulation and wealth entitle it- to occupy, each and every one must make an effort and do his part —-whether that part be large or whether it bo small—remembering the trite saying that " Grod helps those who help themselves."