FORMING NEW COUNTIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1320, 17 March 1877, Page 10

FORMING NEW COUNTIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —The action of the Cromwellites in calling on Mr Pyke to resign, because of his voting on the question of the County Town, serves to show the length to which men Trill go when influenced by selfish motives. The compact which they allege existed between them and Mr Pyke is one not creditable to either party, and there will be very little sympathy for the people who thus attempted to forestall the free action of the Council. Their action in endeavouring to form a separate county i 3 not only contemptible from the motives which prompted it, but will ultimately prove detrimental to themselves should they succeed. On this point, however, I feel doubtful, as they have no good reason to give for separation; and because arrangements have been made, and liabilities incurred on the faith of the revenue of the county as it exists at present, and_ for their proportion of which, in. strict justice, they would be liable for the present year at any rate. There is another and still stronger reason, and which should be well considered before granting their petition, which is, that if every little township is to be allowed to form itself into a separate county whenever it may take offence at a, member, or whenever jealousy of a neighbouring town may prompt, then, we shall soon have as many counties as towns; and good as se I£ -government may be in itself, it ispossible to have too much of a good thing. No doubt this state of things might cure itself in time, but an immense amount of mischief would be done in the meantime; and if the Government really \vish to give the new system a fair trial, they will not lightly sanction any premature attempt at separation, or one prompted by such puerile and selfish motives as this. lam &c. Blacks, March 10. 0. g '