The Westport Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 637, 26 March 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1870.

We have now not only the official notification that Mr Kynnersley has been appointed a member of the Nelson Executive specially to represent the Groldfields, but from an authentic source we learn something of the conditions under which he has accepted the position, and of the probable manner in which he means to discharge its duties. It will be remembered that, in all that was written and said at the time when expression was given to the feeling that such an appointment should be made, the element of responsibility was considered, if not indispensible, at least most desirable • and it was suggested that, as an ingredient in his appointment as one of the Executive, Mr Kynnersley should also be a member of the Provincial Council. This sentiment was echoed by the present Provincial Secretary, and in point of principle, and to preserve Provincial administration of affairs in its integrity, there is no doubt that the proposition is a correct one. A difficulty presented itself, however, in the impossible combination of the appointment of Eesident Magistrate and the office of Provincial Councillor. Naturally, and according to law, the two offices are incompatible. The existing and convenient Executive Ordinance of the Province enabled this difficulty to be overcome, and Mr Kynnersley, as is known, has, with all its power or powerlessness, been made a member of what is essentially aud distinctively the Superintendent's Executive. In one respect, however, he only holds the appointment conditionally, this condition having relation, not to his own convenience, but to the necessities of the circumstances. As we have said, he cannot enter the Council without resigning the Resident Magistrateship ; and he does not wish to do so unless it is considered by the Council that it is necessary that he should be one of their number. To resign the office of Eesident Magistrate would render him unable to hold courts at Wangapeka, and practically nullify his work as Warden there, should such work ever be required—a ' very doubtful contingency. In consequence of these considerations, Mr Kynnersley, as we learn, intends to do nothing in his executive capacity until after the meeting of the Council, except —and the exception is both important and interesting—" to take a trip round the goldfields, and to form an opinion as to the best way of working them." Mr Kynnersley's present idea, we understand, is to make Nelson his head-quarters, discharging the very intermittent duties of the Wangapeka district, and making also occasional visits to the Matakitaki and the Upper B tiller. In addition to this his probable plan will be to pay, at least, a quarterly visit to the West Coast, but his decision will depend upon his first visit, and that will be made within a few days hence. Mr Kynnersley, we understand, has already started from Nelson for the Upper Buller, and, on the conclusion of that trip, he may be expected on the Coast. At present it is, of course, impossible to say accurately how the Wangapeka reefs may extend in number or prove themselves in point of productiveness, but the estimate is that a monthly court will suffice there for a long time to come ; and, considering that the distance from Nelson is not greater than that of the Lyell from Westport, the Wangapekaus will have reason to be well satisfied if they obtain such a preference as to have local courts held even at such intervals.

With regard to the increase of a nominated and irresponsible Executive, the anomaly of which is further illustrated by this otherwise highly approved appointment of Mr Kynnersley, we have already ventured to give some stroug and frequent expression of what we well know to be the public opinion. The importation of a good man into such an Executive by no means proves the propriety of its principle, Limited as the source of selection is to the Superintendent's own sweet will, an objectionable person might be chosen, just as objectionable persons are now members of that same Executive. The selection, however, is calculated somewhat to diminish the determination of any members of the Council who, on the superficial ground of the personality of the Executive—if any such there are—desire to see the present Ordinance abolished, and the soi disant executive body made responsible. From another s'de comes an argument which may militate against the desiderated introduction of Mr Kynnersley into a responsible Executive, or, at least, against the entire selection of the Executivefrom the Council; and it is an argument which, no doubt, has some weight with it. The Colonist, in an incidental allusion to Mr Greenfield's equally incidental expression on the subject, deprecates the appointment of four members of the Executive out of a Council of eighteen, and such a number would undoubtedly give a Government a preponderance in the

Council which might not always be convenient. Thus considered, it may be necessary to effect a compromise in any motions that may be made in the next Council for the introduction of the element of responsibility among the Superintendent's advisers. It may, more or loss wisely, be suggested that the Superintendent should have the nomination of two members of the Executive, such as the Secretary and the Groldfields Commissioner, while the Provincial Council should be represented by the Treasurer and Solicitor, regardless, of course, of members appointed without portfolio. Anomalous and irregular as this may be, it would balance influence among his Honor's advisers, and, at least, recognise the existence of the Co uncil—a consideration which has, no doubt, been perceived by his Honor when, contemporaneous with the appointment of Mr Kynnersley, he also appoints a Councillor, Mr Collins. But this alone will not satisfy. The position of the Provincial Treasurer is in every respect a ferce, if it is not a scandal; the very selection of Mr Collins before even the Council has met, and estimated his qualifications or his proclivities, as they have a perfect right to do, is palpably anomalous and irregular in connection with any administrative body pretending to even the semblance of a constitution ; and there are, in other regards, so many features of absurdity in the bastard Provincialism of Nelson that we reasonably desire to see the Executive Ordinance submitted, during the ensuing session, to discussion and amendment.