WEST COAST PROGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 509, 23 August 1902, Page 2

WEST COAST PROGRESS.

PUBLIC WORKS. [by TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Westport, last night. At a meeting of the Westport Chamber of Commerce to-night it was resolved on the motion of the President, Mr Bayfield, that this Chamber takes the first opportunity of meeting to convey to Sir Joseph Ward, Acting-Premier, the thanks and appreciation of the Chamber for his prompt acting in causing the survey to be done, starting of railway line to connect Port of Westport with railway system of this Island, and trusts that now it is started the work will be pushed expeditiously and continuously to a completion, and thus ensure the much-needed opening up of the coal country, and also for strategic purposes in relative to the proposed fortification of tho Port, and further that the Chamber conveys its gratification that tenders are called, and trusts they will be accepted, for the railway bridge over the Inangahua river at Reefton as a further step towards the accomplishment of the desired object.” . The President mentioned that Colonel Fox nine years ago recommended erection of fortification when at Westport, but nothing so far has been done. It was also resolved, on the motion of the President, “ That this Chamber, noticing that steps are being taken to develop the coal fields of this district by private enterprise, respectfully conveys to the Government, both by direct communication, and through the members for Buller and Motueka, the hope of tho Chamber that every facility will be given to encourage such steps as will meet the growing demand for Westport coal.”

Several members expressed tho hope that restrictions such as were imposed on the Cardiff Company, which was compelled to close down, should not bo imposed on the new company,