The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 7, 9 January 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1867.

The increase of the mining population of the South West gold-fields has led to the discussion, in come quarters, of their being represented in the Nelson Provincial Council. The persons conducting the agitation proceed on the assumption that taxation without representation is not only unjust but contrary to the spirit of the British and Colonial constitutions. If the miners and their advocates are ignorant of the fact, which can hardly be the case, they will be glad to hear that an Act was passed during the last session of the Nelson Provincial Council, to provide for the constitution of new electoral districts, and for the election of additional members of the Council. The Superintendent in his opening address recognised the justice of making increased provision for the representation of the population on the West Coast, and the Council readily passed the Act above referred to. The new district constituted was Waimea South, which was to be subdivided into those of the Grey and the Buller districts. The Waimea South district is to return three members, the Grey district two, and the Buller district one member to the Provincial Council.' Passing by the Waimea South district, it may be observed that the Buller district is bounded as follows : — By a line drawn from the mouth of the River Mackay, in the direction of Mount Arthur, 19 miles ; thence by a line south magnetic, 27 miles ; thence by a line west magnetic, to the Top House ; thence by a line from the Top House to St. Arnaud's Mount ; thence by a line to Mount Princess : thence by a line drawn in the direction towards the middle of Lake Sumner, 20 miles ; thence by a line west magnetic, to the source of the Brown Grey ; thence by the Water-shed to the saddle of the Mawhera Iti; thence by a line to the summit of Mount Buckland ; thence by a line to the coast between the Rivers Okari and Totara ; and thence by the sea to the River Mackay. The boundary of the Grey district is thus given : — By the southern boundary of the Buller district ; thence by the line in continuation of the boundaries of the Buller district to Lake Sumner ; thence by the boundary line between the Nelson and Canterbury provinces from Lake Sumner to the mouth of the River Grey ; and thence by the sea to the headland between the Rivers Okaria and Totara. This description of the new electoral districts may prove useful to those living within the boundaries, who are anxious to speak and write upon the question, unless the proclamation has reached them, which can hardly be the case. As new gold-fields have been discovered in spots not previously known to explorers of the country, and as new discoveries may be expected to take place from day to day, ' any district now omitted will have to be included in future proclamations, the present descriptions being regarded only as approxi-

mations to real fact and subject to being altered, and improved in accordance with the increased information that shall be available from time to time. The Provincial Executive have thus anticipated the wants of the South-west Gold-fields, and the next step to be taken is the issue of writs by the Superintendent, for the election of the various members. Previous to this, however, an electoral roll must have been completed, not a very easy thing, by the way, amongst a population constantly shifting its locale, roaming from the Grey to the Buller and back again, and spreading itself like an intricate network all over the surrounding country where the color of gold has been seen or a prospect of obtaining it been held out to the restless multitude. The population must be fixed to some extent before an electoral roll can be accurately compiled. Then leisure to some" extent will follow, and the ability to attend to political duties. As great difficulties will be experienced ia the compilation of an accurate electoral roll, it will be necessary that the Provincial Executive should take time by the forelock, so that the elections may not be unduly postponed. The miner, also find it no easy task to get men suitable to act as representatives in the Provincia Council, hence ample notice should be given them, that they might have time to find proper men — men acquainted with mining interests, and able to represent those interests in the Provincial Council. The same difficulty was recently felt at Hokitika, and although it was ultimately j overcome by that indomitable perseverance j and energetic public spirit which are al- j ways found in a mining community, the j circumstances furnish reasons why the miners in the Nelson Province Bhould have every advantage offered them now that they are invited to send representatives to the Provincial Senate. As this Act was assented to by his Ex- j cellency the Governor, we know of no reason why the preparation of the electoral roll should not be proceeded with, as it ought to be if the mining members are to attend the next silting of the Council. Who the men will be that shall mingle in the Nelson wittenagemote, it is not for us to say. Possibly the Buller and the Grey will furnish some modern Cromwell, who will not compare unfavorably with the village Hampdens, who now command the applause of a grateful province. At any rate an infusion of new"* | blood will not act unfavorably on our present august'yet somewhat stationary body, and the bone and muscle of the pick and shovel men, will form no disagreeable contrast to the portly persons of the Waimea farmers. We trust no unnecessary delay will take'place'in the preparation of the electoral roll or the summoning of the miners to give their suffrages. Having conceded an important political privilege, it will be a graceful act on the part of the Provincial • Executive to furnish prompt facilities for its exercise.