The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1068, 2 May 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1873.

Tme opening of the annual session of the Provincial Council, for the last occasion prior to another election of councillors, may excite the customary ripple ©f lively interest in Nelson city, its suburbs and surrounding districts, but so far as the Coast and mining communities are concerned will not cause any perceptible mental agitation. These annual Provincial Council meetings have become of so little importance in public esteem by reason of the scant actual results for good arising therefrom, that they are looked <upon as being necessary evils, something to be endured, rather than a source of public gain or gratification, at least so far as interests are concerned apart from those affecting Nelson city and its immediate environs. Unfortunately also for the coastal and mining com. mimities, the scant numerical representation accorded them in the Council has been weakened by grievous lack of unanimity on the part of those entrusted with their interests. It is unnecessary to recal the past, the very unsatisfactory past, wherein the game of cross purposes has been played with endless variations, but with little credit to the combatants or gain to the onlookers who, stmding afar off, have perforce paid the piper.; but in the interest of all concerned a very fervent hope may be expressed, nay more a demand may be made and firmly persisted in,that the West Coast members in this the last sitting'ffliftho Council wherein they may 'collectively meet, will sink all differences of opinion, antipathies, and prejudices, personal and political,' and work strenuously together to do what little good they may for their long suffering, much enduring, constitueuts. It may not be much that they will find themselves in a position to accomplish, but such as it may be will not bo achieved by a repetition of the bickerings or contentions heretofore too often characterising proceedings in the Provincial Council. So far as the wishes and opinions of the Coast are concerned, the members representing the Coast have had good opportunity of learning such wishes and opinions. The resident members of the Council by daily conversation and observation, apart from regard for their personal interests which are, or should be, identical with those of their constituents, know exactly what is required of them. The one other member who, though representing the Buller interest, is but at the best a sojourner in our midst, has, with his southern colleagues, availed themselves of the scant time at their disposal while in Westport to obtain from all who cared or were capable of expressing honest convictions on public topics, a full and particular account of their wishes, their hopes and fears, their theoretical opinions and practical knowledge. Thus there should be nothing to prevent the Goldfields members at the outset of proceedings in Nelson to decide in friendly caucus upon a definite and united line of action. At one on West Coast matters, they will also unite in concerted action upon general topics, and working harmoniously, even at the eleventh hour, may do more good for the districts they represent and the Province at large than they have ever before accomplished by divided efforts. Failing in united action they will deserve from the West Coast communities a decided expression of disapproval and the withholding of electoral support hereafter to such among them as may again essay the doubtful honor of seats in the Nelson Provincial Council.