West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 30 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 241, 30 June 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 30 1866.

If the Superintendent is fortunate enough to effect a landing to-day, the incident will be moro welcome to the town than it would havo been at any other time during the past month. For his own sake, and for tho reputation "sake of the district he represents in tho Assembly, it could have been wished, however, that his second visit to Hokitika had token place under more favorable and agreeable circumstances. When he came amongst us last, everything wore a bright and smiling aspect. The weather was fine; the people were enthusiastic ; his own first impressions were pleasant on finding himself amongst a people so much , more civilised, and in a country so much raoro habitable, than the prevailing notions of the West Coast in Eastern Canterbury had prepared him to anticipate. He will now find us in the roughest ; our weather verifying all the evil things that have been said about it ; our streets in a perfect state of slush. Nothing could less predispose a man to come amongst us in a good-tempered frame of mind, than the buffeting about tho seas which Mr Moorhouso has experienced in his endeavor to pay a visit to his constituents prior to the me6ting of the General Assembly. But it is to bo hoped such a cordial welcome will bo given to him as will at once efface all these unpleasant recollections, and enable him to feel that he is amongst old friends. Should the weather bo at- all indulgent, a demonstration most gratifying to the feelings of any public man may be anticipated. Nothing is known as to the timo Mr Moorhouse will be enabled to spend in Hokitika, without neglect of his duties in the Assembly. It is proposed to entertain him at a public banquet, if it will suit his. convenience ' and bo consistent with bis other engagements to accept the compliment. But tho views of the committee appointed last night go beyond a more expression of courtesy. Wo believe there is a sincero desire to press upon his attention, in a most respectful spirit, but one of entire faithfulness to the great interests involved, the claims which the district he represents possesses, upon his services in the Assembly. In addition to the ordinary requirements of a new country at tho hands of its Government, ie has been discovered that Westland requires special legislation in many matters deeply involving its prosperity. The political and social features developed in its brief history, have proved of so exceptional a character, that a system of government devised for a totally different state of society has proved practically unadapted to its conditions. But- instead of meeting this difficulty by an independent legislation, specially suited for it, tho mistake has been committed of modifying and" amending old Acts, so as to fit them, by a sort of joiners' work, to the novel state of things. Almost necessarily, this work has been most clumsily done, ; and with what embarrassing results, wojiave lately seen, If the Committee appointed to bring these matters under his Honor's attention do their duty faithfully, they will not fail to press upon Mr Moorhouse tho necessity of 'a vory bold and deoided policy. Let the fact bo especially brought home to him, that the circumstances of this district aro so unprecedented, and were so little contemplated when the laws for the government of the Province were

passed, that no amount of carpentering and adjusting would make them applicable. And let him bo reminded that ihe colonists of this important part of New Zealand have, by tho operation of the electoral law, been so capriciously dealt with, that tho most unjust abrogations of the rights of citizenship have resulted. A special enactment of a comprehensive character is«duo, to restore and guarantee tho rights of a people who havo nobly developed the resources of a district but two years back unpeopled, aud contributed such enormous sums to tho revenue of the colony. As Superintendent of the Province, Mr Moorhouse will have to be addrossed on different grounds. Thoro being no Chamber of Commerce, no Improvement Committee, and no Municipal Council, it is well that a body of citizens has been appointed, upon whom this duty is devolved, and who may undertake its discharge without impertinence. Much will depend upon the comprehensiveness with whioh tho " presentment" to be submitted to him, deals with tho topics that have been under discussion here for a long series of months past without practical result, aimply becauso. we had no real governing man present amongst us.

If tho matter bo properly managed ; if tho deception Committee, whilst doing all that is proper, nnd courteous, and cordial, in according Mr Moorhouse a hearty and respectful welcome, bear in mind throughout, that they are tho responsible representatives of great interests, and the exponents of a long pent-up public opinion ; that they are the messengers of the people's complaints, as well as the bearers of thoir compliments ; all may be hoped for from an episode so novel in our history.