THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 205, 7 May 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1867.

; s A j.et'j.'eu in another column discloses ;. a very unsatisfactory state of things |[ with regard to tljg coal trade of this c port. Although we have no right . perhaps to criticise the proceedings of a g private company of traders such as the t l Nelson Coal Company, the proper il working and development of tlic coal ''' Q mine, which is public property, is a is question that cannot receive too much ! s vent-illation.- Our cprrespondent inn forms us that at present there is not by )j any means an adequate supply of coal c for the vessels that are wishful to load with it, and that in consequence capis tains have either to incur the loss aty tendant on delay, or to leave port in „ ballast. This is not the worst, for it is tl quite a natural consequence that when 3j the facts are reported, the owners of • c vessels trading to this port will be indisq posed to persevere in their attempts to il establish what might be made a profit- ; able trade in the Grey coal. Those s who have had any experience in opening „ \ip a, new trade for shipping, aye aware 11 how much va\ apparent trifle will preju- , ( dice the first attempt; and, on the 11 other haud, what an encouragement is „ afforded by a corresponding desire to promote the trade on the part of all ' 6 who are interested. We can Avell g imagine what the effect of the dilatori- ° ness or negligence of the lessees of the c Nelson Coal Mine will be on the owners ? of vessels - With a desirej^-^ I the trade, as i&jaASgced hy the jn _ !. crea « iu g^lW<they find their . efibr's » J^ lwa Xed by those who ought to be '~ the foremost in aiding them. Of course ii if the mine were the private property of '* the Company, and they chose to consis der it to their interest to keep down j[ the supply of coal, we could only dey plore their shortsightedness-. But this I is not the case : the mine was leased to s the Company by tlie GJovernment, for the single purpose of thoroughly del velopiug it, ami supplying the public | demand. The Company pay a merely 3 nominal runt for, perhaps, the most # valuable coal seam in the AvoJd, and it is absurd to suppose that they arc to be permitted to work it just as it may suit them. We cau scarcely imagine anything more calculated to damage the , trade of this port than a deficient or irregular supply of coal ; and it is specially unfortunate that this unsatisfactory state of things should occur just as the coal trade with the neidiborii)"Colonies was beginning' to establish itself. Were there a constant supply of coal, hardly a single vessel would leave Greymouth without a car*jo — as it is, shipmasters are disgusted at being hardly able to obtain as much as will do for ballast. It is evidently necessary that the Government should interfere at once, and endeavor to .compel greater activity on the jja-rt of the lessees. It is not too muelr to say that the olj cte sought by the. Government iv granting the lease are, being defeated, and the public estate is being sacrificed. This is ,i matter that ought to receive the attention of the newly elected local membe.xs of the Nelson Provincial Council. Let en-, quiries be made if the conditions of the lease have in.&yeiy'je.spectbeen strictly fulfilled.- J£vtiiey have not, the Governk ment must compel their- closest- ' observance!; and further, , ■.•pressure jiiiust

Tbe brought on tlie Company if necessary to go beyond them, flic future ata r bility of Greymouth largely depends on the development of the coal field, which, if properly carried out, may prove a permanent source of commercial prosperity long after the gold diggings arc exhausted. The experience of tlip Nelson Government iv the disposal of its coal should teach caution to the authorities pf Canterbury, with regard to the seam pntlijs side the river. The Superintendent has expressed himself very strongly as to his determination not to part with the seam, except to a wealthy company, capable of fully developing it. But that was precisely the determination of the Nelson Government : they took away the mine from one man to give it to others who were imagined to be wealthy capitalists. The Govern, ment were mistaken, and it is jnsfc possible that the mistake might be;"'repeated. Would it not be a better plan to sell the seam, dr a portion of it 1 Let an accurate survey be taken, and a valuation pf so much a ton be placed upon tlie seam, and then throw it into the market. The price would keep out mere speculators, whilst the freehold occupation, aud the freedom from the interference pf Government, and the iiicuuibeut restrictions of a lease, would be a great incentive to English or other capitalists.. We have little doubt that if the Canterbury coal scam could be purchased at a fair price, a Company to work it, and wprk it thoroughly, could be formed in London without any difliculty.