THE GREYMOUTH PETITION.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 508, 25 May 1869, Page 3

THE GREYMOUTH PETITION.

(From the West Coast Times.) Some time ago the people of the Buller district commenced an agitation for separation from Nelson, and have carried it on so actively, and with so much judgment, that there is every prospect of the prayer of their petition being acceded to, and a new County being established in Westland North. For the sake of the residents it is to be hoped such will be the case, for not only will their local revenue be more profitable and equitably appropriated, but the absurdity of a large and wealthy population being governed by a Provincial Council who know nothing whatever about their wants will be done away with. We question whether out of the whole number of members who at present hold seats in the Nelson Provincial Council more than one-third have ever been, on a goldfield, or even visited a goldfield town. Under such circumstances, the Assembly will, no doubt, see the undoubted grounds there are for the justice of the separation prayed for. Within the past week or two, however, we find that another petition has been prepared, and is now going round for signature in the Grey district. The promoters of this agitation do not care about making one strong County of Westland, but want to do a little county business on their own account. Mr Harrison, some years or more ago, endeavoured to make this ghost walk, but failed signally in his attempt. Ve are very much mistaken if he is not the prime mover on the present occasion, but we have not the slightest doubt that the present will be as great a failure as the last. The County Council have up to the present time not only displayed the utmost anxiety to further the progess and advancement of the County, by opening up roads, tracks, assisting water-races, &c, but have also shown the most even-handed justice to every district over which they rule. The miners are not such fools as not to see, and recognise these facts, and they know that under any circumstances, if the projected County was established tomorrow, they could not have greater equity done them. They must also see that one strong County must, coster is paribus, be better than two weak ones ; and even supposing that a number of signatures are appended to the petition, the Assembly will not lightly effect the severance prayed for. Better reasons than those that are advanced in the petition must be brought forward to justify such a step, and we venture to say that counter petitions can be sent, should the movement proceed, which will, as far as the division of Westland is concerned, effectually neutralise all that the present petition can possibly achieve.