The Westport Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1007, 24 September 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1872.

Um'lL more detailed information comes to hand, explanatory of the item of telegraphic news stating that Mr Collins '"has introduced a hill to provide for the formation of the Nel--Boi. Groldfields into a county, with a definite share of its own revenues," it will bo difficult to form any correct opinion as to the exaet scope and purpose of the measure, or the pi'obabilities of it's being carried into effect. I'Vorn the Ultra-provincial tendencie a of the present members of the Cabinet it seeais extremely doubtful whether they will give any really earnest support to the proposed measure, or in fact to any other of a similar purport. To redress the grievances under which the Nelson Groldfields suffer means in plain words to curb and restrain the present powers of the Nelson Superintendent, to withdraw from his control that portion of his province from whence he and his surrounding satellites now derive their chief means of official existence, and, by such withdrawal placed on record, by implication, proof most convincing that the complaints of the goldfields communities have arisen from justifying causes, for whi'-h alone the Superintendent and his Executive have been accountable. But the community of interests existing between the.illustrious trio of Superintendents, gracing the Cabinet seats, and their colleagues in office must, we fear, develope into an element

of obstructivencsa agauißt any such proposed remedial measure. The Nelson Superintendent will seek to avoid having tlio charge of maladministration sheeted home to him, eveu although he now retires from office, and the fellow feeling making "so wondrous kind," will exert an influence—glossed over by protestations of good indent, but none the less mischievously effective —on tho other members of the Ministry who have declared already, in unequivocal language, in favor of a wide extension of Superintendental powers, and as being adverse to any alteration of present existing provincial boundaries. It may be that the Ministry will not object to the principle of Mr Collins's bill ; individual members may even be found to speak in its favor, but it is doubtful whether they will not thereafter contrive by some pretext to put off the evil day wherein even one Superintendent may be shorn of his power, and practically compel the shelving of the bill until tho next session. Had the Fox Ministry re" mained in office the people of the Nelson Goldfields might have relied with all confidence iu an earnest effort being made to accomplish an honest intent to remedy crying evils ; had the Stafford Ministry even taken up the Bill prepared by Mr Fox, and remoddelled it, to suit their own peculiar opinions, it would have shown a desire to allay the discontent which they recognise as existing on the Groldfields ; but when they reject the Bill in ioto, and leave to a private member of the House, tho duty of introducing another, there can hardly be any excess of faith eugeudered by their mere expressions of condolence and sympathy, and a tardy recognition of the existence of evils, notorious to every member of the House. What little popularity tho Stafford Ministry held heretofore on the Goldfields, and the greater share thereof they might have obtained hereafter, by prompt and judicious present concessions, has been weakened by theirinertness andimplied unwiilingness to act in this matter. Mr Stafford gave but expression to the general public opinion maintained on tho South-west Goldfields, that union with Westland would be objectionable if such union resulted iu sharing the crushing debt of tho County, but in hinting that some better and more simple mode of remedying evils might be devised, ho palpably shirked the suggestion of a remedy, nor even hinted that the responsibility of sharing Westland's debt might be counterbalanced by some quid pro quo to be given to the South West Goldfields, It may be that the Stafford Ministry earnestly desire to act justly herein, but they need to give to those most deeply interested some tangible earnest of their good intent, togain either respect or confidence. Mr Collins, as individually concerned in the progress of the Bill may mean well also. Inspired by the hope of achieving distinction lie may do all that mortal can to deserve success, even if he fails to command it, but there is in his case just a breath of suspicion mingling in the haze that enshrouds the political atmosphere. "To be or not to be" the coming Superintendent for Nelson is a problem said to absorb the thoughts of Mr Arthur Collins as well as others, and if past records of political deeds and party tactics apeak truly he is no mean adept at checkmating an adversary. The relation of cause and effect, the probable chances in favor of Mr Collins filling the Superintendent's Chair, and his sudden display of interest iu Nelson Goldfields matters may be more clearly showu hereafter.