THE GREY.

West Coast Times, Issue 164, 28 March 1866, Page 3

THE GREY.

(FROM OUR OWJT CORRESPONDENT.) March 26th. ,Mr" Moorhouse arrived here on Saturday, and the same' felling had a private conference with a few of our leading fiie"il, including same of the members of the Improvement Committee. Had there been time he would have addressed a public meeting, but owing to Saturday being an awkward day, and other reasons, he had to content himself with holding an interview with some of the principal residents to discuss the various wants of the district, and to hear from him his opinions thereon, and an expression of bis intended policy in the evetit of hi? being elected Superintendent of Canterbury. If Mr Mobrhouse, when Superintendent, performs half what he has promised, I think the people of Westland will have cause to thank fortune for placing him at the head of affairs in this province. It was remarked by one of the gentlemen present at the interview, it was difficult to bfclieye that such liberal and comprehensive views as were expressed by Mr Moorhouse could emanate serio'ubly from a Christchurch man. Mr Moorhouse stated that he regarded it as a fixed principle on which to base his administration that after the general charges had beenmet, the whole of the estland revenues should be applied to the development of the district. He would devote the produce of the sale of town lands to the improvement" of the towns, and would at first recommend a little extra. Government aid towards the most pressing town improvements. But he considered that beyond this the towns should pay their own expenses, and to enable them to do this he would, whenever practicable, extend to them municipal powers. The chief application of the revenue should, however, be to the opening up of the interior, by forming tracks and roads, erecting bridges, establishing ferries, and such other work as would encourage population, reduce the cost of living, and facilitate the thorough examination of the country. For the last-mentioned object, he should, if elected, at once give instructions to the chief surveyor, ordering a series of surveyori' lines to be cut through the whole district, in lines a mile, or perhaps less, apart, parallel with the beach, and intersected by other similar lines running towards the sea. By means of these lines men would be able to trust themselves into almost any part of the country without the danger of being lost in the bush. He was of opinion also that the Government should, out of the Provincial loans, advance money on loan co public companies for the construction of works, such, as tramways, &c, calculated to advance the district. He touched on several other matters of more local bearing, and further stated that whether as member of the General Assembly, member of the Provincial Council, or as Superintendent of the Province, Westland would always receive a large share of his attention. He urged upon the meeting the necessity of sending good men to the C ouncil, as it depended quite as much on their representatives as upon himself whether the future administration of affairs in Westland should be satisfactory or not. Mr Moorhouse was warmly thanked for his visit, and for the trouble he had taken to express his opinions. It is an old saying that " it never rains but it pours," and the people of Greymouth had the opportunity on Saturday of verifying the truth of the adage. After languishing for many months under the neglect of the authorities at Christchurch, and suffering from an unsatisfied wish that somebody who really could do something would visit Greymouth and judge for himself, they have been astonished by the sudden advent of a whole bevy of officials. Any time these past six months an occasional visit from Mr Sale would have satisfied the district, but as that was not to be had at any price, I suppose the inhabitants are in duty bound to express great satisfaction at the honor which a Superintendent on his last legs and the members of a moribund Executive have conferred upon the district by visiting it ; and to feel deep thankfulness for the promises given by those who will, most likely, in a. week or two hence, have no ability to perform them. The Improvement Committee, with a promptitude that did it infinite credit, siezed upon the opportunity of presenting a deputation of its members before his Honor the Superintendent and the other provincial magnates, for the purpose of letting them know what this district required ; and, from what I can learn, the deputation got through their business very well, and was very "courteously received." But, after all, there is something very absurd in the strong contrast between the conduct of the Bealey Government at Christchurch, and of the same Government when its chiefs are on the West Coast. When in Christchurch we can get nothing whatever done, but when in Greymouth they are ready to promise almost anything. Is this diversity of conduct due to the blissful ignorance in which the subordinate officials have kept the Executive in regard to the necessities of the place ? Perhaps so ; for it is known to be a general failing with Government that they cannot get out of the _ groove of strict duty, but just quietly acquiesce in the policy of their superiors. Goodness knows, it is not many of them that can be safely trusted with discretionary powers, and that I suppose has influenced the Christchurch magnates regarding the district of Westland. Even Mr Sale's powers have not been anything like what they are commonly supposed to be, while Mr Revell has scarcely enjoyed more responsibility than one of his own policemen. The result of the conference was that, Ist. The Police Court House is to be at once removed from its present inconvenient site down to the Government Reserve, near the centre of the town. 2ndly. The Provincial authorities will recommend the General Government to establish daily postal communication between Greymouth and Hokitika. 3rdly. That two of the escort troop are to be told off to escort the packers and gold buyers from outlying diggings to the Twelve Mile landing up the river. As to any enlargement of the Wharf it will be recommended to the successors of the present Government as a desirable thing. The snags are to be removed, and some aid at once given to the Hospital. In mining affairs I have to report the discovery of some very good ground on the Mawheraiti or " little Grey." Those who 'have set in there are said to be doing exceedingly well. I must not forget to state that the terraces near the " Darkies claim" are attracting a good many diggers, and several very good claims have been opened during the past week.