The New Zealand Herald AUCKLAND, TUESDAY, FEB. 9, 1869.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1628, 9 February 1869, Page 3

The New Zealand Herald

AUCKLAND, TUESDAY, FEB. 9, 1869.

SPEOTKMTJR AGENDO. Give every man thine ear, Imt few thy voice Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment, This above all,—To thine own self be true And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."

It is difficult to understand the action taken by Dr. Nicholson, member for Onehunga, and Captain Cooper, member for the Northern Division, in the Provincial Council on the motion for approving of the Government plan of public works at the Thames, made by the Provincial Secretary last Friday. The consideration of the affairs of the Thames Groldfleld was postponed day by day and week by week, until the Thames. representatives had taken their seats: and no sooner have these gentlemen done so, and intimated that they are prepared to go on with the question than two leaders of the Opposition, who have nothing whatever to do with the Thames except in the capacity of mining speculators, take advantage of a thin House, and the absence of the supporters of the Government, to stop discussion, and indefinitely postpone the decision on the important question at issue.

This course is deeply to be deplored. The greatest injury may be inflicted on the gold field population, aud not uuHkely a very eon siderable sum mon'jy will be uselessly expended as a consequence of procrastination. We cannot see any reason for the delay. The members for the goldfield, Capt. Butt and Mr. Grove, surely were in a position to consider the Goverrment proposals ; and these proposals have been long enough before the Council to enable lion, members to form their own opinions upon them. But as soon as Messrs. Butt and Grove (who followed the Provincial Secretary,) had concluded their speeches, up rose Dr. Nicholson and declared that it was necessary, after what he had heard, that the Council should " take time to consider." This may have been necessary in the case of the worthy doctor, but not with members of ordinary capacity and acumen.

We do not censure the Council for postponing the consideration of the bill, empowering the Superintendent to utilise the plant of the Auckland and Drury railway at the Thames, seeing that it was the corollary to the Provincial Secretary's motion, which had been previously shelved ; but the wishes of the Thames members did. not appear to be considered by the Opposition leaders. Their object seems to have been to baulk the Government, no matter what might be the effect of their action on ■the Thames.

The debate, so far as it proceeded, clearly proved that the Government, on all essential points, were supported by the Thames representatives. It is true, Captain Butt objected to the shore line and wharf at Tararu, but the Provincial Secretary hnd intimated that the Government would first complete the branch tramways, and proceed with the other works afterwards, if the requirements of the goldfields rendered their construction necessary. The Government wanted to take power to construct all necessary works during the next twelve months. Capt. Butt was inclined to limit that power. To that extent, and to that alone, was there any conflict between them ; and we think a little reflection will show that the Government plan is the wisest one. However, that was a point on which it did not require the Council to reflect upon from Friday until Tuesday, both days inclusivo. Any man of ordinary capacity must perceive that circumstances may arise during the present year, which would necessitate the construction of the shore line and a wharf to deep water at Tararu ; and it would be extremely inconvenient, and a public misfortune il the Government were to be debarred from forming these works. Then, again Mr. Grove did not materially differ fro::-. 5 he Provincial Secretary. He approved oi' the branch tramways and the pronosal to cut extension 1 i:i: v. through the ; and his suggestion that a track should be cut from Short-land to Coromandel through the ranges, as recommended formerly in this journal, deserves attention. But this was simply extending the Government proposal, it was not in conflict with it. Mr. Grove thought the Wardens should be supreme on the goldfield; the Government thought

the Wardens should be directly responsible to the Executive, and through the Executive to the Council. Iu this respect there w;is a conflict of opinion, but as there was no amendment moved, and as it did not come up on tho resolution moved by Mr. Oreighton, the Council did not require any time for "consideration." They were not invited to affirm the opinion of the Government on that point, what they were required to declare was their approval of the Government scheme of public works. Mr. Grove spoke in favour of a mining board ; and be pointed out certain imperfections in the general regulations ; but t heso questions only came up incidentally. Therefore the postponement of the question could have nothing whatever to do with these moot points. It was a simple obstruction to the course of public business for the mere sake of obstruction.

We trust, however, that the representatives from the Thames will not be led astray by such flimsy pretexts as those put forward oil Friday for the postponement. Three petitions have already been presented from the mining population at the Thames, praying that the works, as proposed by the Provincial Government, be carried out One of these petitions has been signed by over twelve hundred persons; and we believe took only two days to get up. This is a fair index as to the feeling of the miners. all know that in consequence of the delay in opening the Upper Thames many men are out of employment and in necessitous circumstances, having consumed their savings waiting for the Civil Commissioner's " open sesame." to be pronounced at Ohinemuri. These men would 3ncl employment at the Government works, and thus be enabled to remain in the district until the Maori magnates consent to become rich on the toil of the European miners. But if Dr. Nicholson and Captain Cooper and the other obstructives get their way, the working men at the Thames will be in very bad circumstances indeed. .Every day's delay now is a serious loss and drawback to the gold-field and the province. The winter is approaching. Every day lessens the period of fine weather in which the contractors can favourably proceed; and if the works are rushed in insufficient time, the public must pay extra for it. That is a point on which, we think, there can bs 110 two opinions, and which Dr. JTicholson might perceive without live days' mental gestation. Delay also means, as Mr. Grove pointed out, the registration of three-fourths of the claims for three months, which would result in a falling-off in the yield of gold, stagnation of trade, aud ruin and misery to many. Are the Thames members prepared to support a policy which must inevitably end in this? "We think not. They, at least, will not take a long time to " consider" that point. The appropriation for the Thames goldfield has expired, and the Government are now brought to a standstill. It is well the public should know this : it is likewise important that the miners and traders at the Thames should know who are their real friends, and who are their enemies.