THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1042, 28 November 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY , NO VEMBER 28, 1871.

The money now being expended on roads in the County of Westland by the General Government must not bo considered to be all that this part of the Colony is to enjoy of the benefits of the Public Works Policy. Just before the close of the late session, a discussion occurred during which the claims of the West Coast Gold Fields for a liberal expenditure on public works were unanimously admitted, and there is not the least doubt that next session any well-conceived proposal for public works on the West Ooast Gold Fields will be favorably entertained by the Legislature. But it is doubtful if, after the completion of the main road now under coime of construction through the County of Westland, and of a similar wjrk through the Nelson Gold Fields, the Government will propose any further expenditure except upon railways. It must be remembered that the cost of roads, although nominally less than that of railways, is in the long run heavier on account of the great annual cost of maintenance and repair. We believe that at the most moderate calculation the cost of maintaining the roads in Westland is fully £60 per mile per annum. At this rate, the road from Oreymouth to Eoss will involve an annual expenditure of about £3000, of which possibly twentyfive per cent, may be raised by tolls. If to this were to be added the local charge for intertst on the cost, it would be found that the road would cost a smn very disproportionate to the advantages to be conferred by the work. The cost of the roads in Westland, and of thoie übout to be started on the Nelson Gold Fields, do not involve any local charge for interest, but whenever the fifty odd thousand for Westland and the twenty four thousand pounds for the Nelson Gold Fields are expended, any further outlay out of the Public Works Loan must be attended by charges for interest, and it will be found in everyway more economical to invest the money in

works of a really permanent character. It is not too soon for the inhabitants of the West Coast Gold Fields to take into consideration the question of railways. The first instalment of a railway system will be furnished by the Greymouth and Brunner line, and it is only a logical pre- i sumption that from this starting point we ; shall have lines to Hokitika on the south, and through the Grey Valley to the north. Should these lines be made, Greymouth must become the centre of the trade and commerce of the West Coast. The Government contemplate extensive harbor improvements at this port, the money for which will probably be asked next session of the Assembly, and as soon assufficient shipping facilities are provided here, the goods for the southern portion of the Coast must come here, and thence sent by rail to Hokitika and elsewhere, so as to enable the vessels to obtain their return cargo of coal without extra towage. It would never pay to send coal by rail to Hokitika to be shipped as return cargo, but the percentage upon general cargo, which the journey by rail would involve, would be almost inappreciable ; in fact, would not exceed the tonnage rates at Hokitika. A light railway from the Grey to Hokitika would not cost more than, say £90,000, and we venture to say that no line in the Colony would pay better. Whilst every other portion of New Zealand is jessing: its demands for a full share of the benefits of the large loan, the West Coast Gold Fields must not be idle spectators. No division of the Colony has suffered more by the recent .financial alterations than the West Coast, and it still contributes a very large proportion of the Colonial revenue which is pledged for the railway liabilities. We are certain that there are no great difficulties in the way of inducing the Legislature next session to authorise the expenditure of a fair share of money upon railway works in Westland, and it only remains for the people to take up the question earnestly, in order that no time may be lost in forcing it upon the attention of the General Government.