THE AMURI DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1669, 10 December 1873, Page 2

THE AMURI DISTRICT.

[liYTTEIiTON TIMES.]

It appears, from a report of the meeting recently held in Christchurch, that the separation movement in the Amuri district has been abandoned, and that a new departure has been taken by the Separationists. The meeting to which we refer was attended by a considerable number of persons who are largely interested in the district, and who formerly belonged to or co-operated with what is called the Separation Committee. This committee was specially represented by its secretary, Mr John Tinline, who explained what Gourse had been agreed upon with regard to the Snperin tendency election. There are two candidates in the field — Mr Cortis, ,the present Superintendent, and Mr O'Oonor, a member of the Provincial Council. The latter, we presume, is relying mainly upon the support of the Nelson South- West Goldfields, the inhabitants of which are supposed to distrust and personally dislike Mr Curtis. Formerly, ihe Amuri settlers were of opinion that Mr Curtis was their bitter enemy, that he had used his power and influence as Superintendent to thwart movements in their favor, and generally that they had nothing to/: expect so long as he remained in office. But when a choice has to be made between Giirtis and O'Gonor they deliberately give their votes in favor of the former, who has apparently been making urgent overtures fm\ and promising all sorts of good things, it .he should qbtain their support. It is not that the Amuri settlers have changed their opinion of Mr Curtis, or' that they believe in his promises. They will vote ma certain way simply to. keep O'Oonor out and not to put Curtis in. This is the only inference that can be drawn from the tone of the Christchurch. meeting. Then Mr O'Conor. has been making, for "a candidate, some very injudicious remarks about "squatters and the squatting interest" ; has said, in fact, that the people will never be fairly represented in Parliament, or the country righteously governed while " squatterdom" is in the ascendant. What the Amuri settlers now ask for is— "a fixed proportion of its revenue for local administration." This means,. when interpreted, that they wish to have an Amuri Board of Works on the model of the Timaru and Gladstone Board. Looking at all the circumstances of the case, at the treatment the district has hitherto received from the Nelson Government, at its peculiar situation and great capabilities, we are of opinion that the settlers are moving in a reasonable and judicious direction, and we therefore trust that their efforts will be successful.