SATURDAY, DEC. 16, 1876.

Marlborough Express, Volume XI, Issue 876, 16 December 1876, Page 5

SATURDAY, DEC. 16, 1876.

Several persons are anxious to know how and by whom the Chairmen of the CountyCouncils are to be elected, and to some qf these we stated what we believed was the fact,namely,that they were elected by the ratepayers, having seen it so stated m the Bill; but to our surprise on examining the Act as passed we found this very proper principle altogether changed, and that the Chairmen are to be elected by the Councils. It follows that these gentlemen will be shorn of the honor which such a position should rightly bestow, and that instead of being the chosen of, m our own case say 6000 people, the Chairman will be the elect of nine. On enquiry into the mode m which this senseless alteration was brought about, we learn that it was one of the absurdities committed by the gentlemen who represent themselves only m the Legislative Council. It appears that they inserted two amendments, the one named, and a clause disqualifying the Chairman from holding a seat m Parliament! The* object of these daring innovations could only be to destroy the power of the people as much as possible m the House of Representatives, as has already been done by abolishing the Provincial Councils, but the attempt was too serious a matter to be permitted, and managers were appointed by the House to confer and remonstrate with the Council. The result was a compromise, and the disqualification clause was cut out on condition that the right of electing such Chairmen should be taken from the People, and rest with the members of County Councils alone. + Ever since our railway started it has been called " the Picton to Nowhere " line, and therefore it will be with some degree of satisfaction that our readers will learn that there is at last some chance of its bsing extended to the Town. On Thursday Mr Higginson, the Assistant Engineer m Chief, paid a visit to Blenheim, and, accompanied by Mr Dobson, inspected the country between the present railway terminus and the centre of the Town, with the view, we understand, of preparing the requisite plans for extending the line to the Town. There can be no doubt that should the extension be made, the receipts will be greatly increased, and if the line is to be made a financial success it must be extended with as little delay as possible.