. i "" ' ': ' THE : PUBLISHED DAILY. ■ IWEDNES'DA V, JANUARY". 14, 1874.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1699, 14 January 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY , JANUARY 14, 1874.

Tchb result of , the election yesterday, jaithough.it. did not entirely accord with previous calculations, may . be considered. to be a satisfactory one. Mr Lahman deserved the position he was placed in ; and that he was at the head of the poll Will be regarded as not only significant of aj perfect condonation of any faults he njay : have committed in the past, but of a , thorough -restoration to public favor.: Mr vfoolcock has every reason to be satisfied, apd it is certain that he. will exert himself 'to the utmost for the "benefit of his consiifctlenta. ! TSltv WickeS- would' probably j hjive occupied a; higher position on the poll' hkd his supporters r riot been generous epough td divide their favors, ' His election was jn frpm,the ; : first, a certainty, and ,he can ; well: afford^ to allow his elected colleagues, 'ttief jew. 'extra vbtes they, pbitained,, , ( j JEfad; Jjitr Masters; 'been able to be present he wbuld-haye/Kad'a much ■better'bh'a'hc'Ojj^aTtb.bugH his friends ; worked loyally a.nd{ weUjior/ him* >'.<lt,,is ito /.the fact oi his absence that his defeat may be

ascribed. However, the contest is now j over ; the electors of Greymouth have I made their choice of representatives for the ensuing four> years,, and they may rely with the fullest confidence that the gentlemen selected -will' carefully watch over their interests. We presume that the Superintendent will convene the Council together as soon as possible, and the next important question will be — is there to be a paid Executive. Much has been said upon this subject, both for and against. The objections, however, dj> not appear to us to be sufficiently great, whilst there are some important advantages which have not been sufficiently recognised. It seems to be inevitable that the Superintendent should have the aid of some member or members of the Council in administering affairs and initiating and carrying legislative measures. There has been some talk of a Board of Advice or Committee, but there are many difficulties in the way of such a scheme being successful. It is far more likely and more in accordance with the practice that some; member of the Council will be expected to hold' the portfolios of Provincial Secretary ■< and Treasurer. Of course, the fact of the Superintendent being also a member of the Council, itself gives him a great advantage, # but .we thirik it will be f dun d necessary , that lie . should . be associated with someone who will be directly responsible to the Council, and also may be ' removed should he ; fail .to \ preserve the confidence of that body.: It is rumored that Mr Bonar, although he is by law a member of. the Provincial Council, does not intend to sit generally . in it ; and that he will take' up the posi- ' tion occupied by some of the other Superintendents; communicating with the Council by message only. . We should regret should this be the case. It-was the intention of those, who supported the Province bf Westland Act that the Superintendent should sit in the Council, and take the leadership of its.prbceedings. Should Mr Bonar, however, not take his seat in the Council it will be all the more necessary that there should be someone who is in his confidence who will represent the Government. We should not be surprised to find Mr Lahman in this position, which is one for. which he is well qualified.