COUNTY SEPARATION.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 469, 23 February 1869, Page 3

COUNTY SEPARATION.

(From the Grey River Argus.) We have recently watched with much interest the progress of the movement originated by the Westport Progress Committee, for the Separation of the South-west Goldfields from the Province of Nelson and their being formed into a County, after the example of Westland. At the outset the matter was taken up with spirit by the Committee and the local Press, and the facts and figures which were advanced had so much truth upon the face of them —as exhibiting the manner in which the revenues of the "West Coast districts had been diverted from the proper purposes to which they ought to have been applied, and spent elsewhere —that we predicted a speedy and successful issue to the movement. But we have been grievously disappointed, for whatever the cause has been, the result is that the agitation is dead. This can only be attributable to the want of public spirit on the part of the people, who, like the residents in most Goldfields' townships, have hitherto been too apt to leave the care of their best interests to' any body who will take the trouble to look after them. From what we can gather, the Progress Committee received very little moral support from the public in their advocacy of the separation movement, and the answers received by them to certain circulars issued so completely damped the ardor of the Chairman (Mr Tyler) that he intimated his intention to take no further steps in the matter. Another reason given by him was that motives had been imputed to him—that as Chairman of the Committee he was carrying on the movement in order to have the best chance of becoming the future County Chairman. For these reasons he resigned, and the Committee, not caring to proceed with the agitation in the absence of their chief, have become defunct. Such is the present position of affairs, and we say it is to be regretted that the men should not have been found equal to the task they had imposed upon themselves. There is nothing so hurtful to any public movement, or so apt to cause contempt to be thrown upon it, as spasmodic agitation keeping up a spirit of discontent, without using the most strenuous endeavors to carry it to a successful termination. The abandonment of the separation movement must have this effect in Nelson, and will materially injure any future agitation in the direction indicated. This is the more to be regretted as the movement is inevitable. The whole course of recent events points to the rapid approach of the time when the goldfields will be separated from Nelson, and will receive the power to administer its own revenues locally without reference to a distant and sleepy centre of Government. It matters not whether the southern boundary is to be the Grey River or Razorback, the agitation is sure to revive, and be earnestly prosecuted when the people are thoroughly aroused to the necessities of their position. The settlement of the boundary question is another matter, and one in which we are doubly interested. We have never attempted to hide our opinion that in any change in the Government of the Nelson portion of the coast we would most strenuously advocate the rearrangement of the boundary-line, either for the purpose of including the country as far north as the Razorback in Westland, so as to secure to the County the whole of the revenues raised at the port of Greymouth, and properly belonging to it; or establish a new County from the Teremakau Eiver to the Eazorback, embracing the whole natural valley of the Grey River, with Greymouth for its centre. One or other of these alternatives must shortly be presented to the Government and the Eeople for acceptance, and we had oped to accomplish it by mutual arrangement and assistance with our northern friends ; but in the meantime that hope is frustrated, as they have given way before the first trifling difficulty which obstructed their pro. greßs. We hope our neighbors will take fresh courage in their work, but unless they mean seriously to prosecute it we would advise them to let it alone, as otherwise they will be only bringing contempt - upon themselves and upon the cause in which they are engaged,