THE Grey Riber Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1213, 19 June 1872, Page 2

THE Grey Riber Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1872.

The complaints that have been made as to the insufficient coal supply have at least had the. effect of obtaining a tramway, on the recommendation of Mr Dent, manager of the Brunner Mine. We very recently referred to the tramway in question, and see no reason to alter the general views then expressed as to its utility. Since then, however, we have received further details of the proposals made by the manager, and are glad' to admit that they improve on acquaintance very considerably. The tenor of his complaint is, that owing to deficient carriage of mineral from the mine, the miners are only partially employed, and that, to that cause alone, in point of fact, all the grumbling is attributable. So great has been thi3 want that the miners threatened to give up work, for they could not obtain sufficient employment to support themselves, their average earnings for the past month not exceeding some 30s per week. This condition of things has been brought about by the demand for up-river carriage, and the consequently profitable employment obtainable by boatmen. So far, we thoroughly agree with Mr Dent, and cannot but allow that the Provincial Council have done a wise thing in agreeing to the tramway. We omitted to say in the memorandum in question, it is stated that the river, since the great flood, is seldom in a workable state for heavily laden coal boats. Thus a reasonable explanation of the short coal supply is afforded, though why a temporary remedy of the kind now set out could not have been suggested before we fail to see. The estimated cost is L 3500, for which sum the manager expects to construct the tramway, aud purchase all tho necessary plant belonging. There is another point in the advantages arising that we cordially Agree with, and that is that the miners, being relieved of the carriage of goods for consumption to the extent of 40s per ton would submit to a reduction in wages to the amount of difference. It seems that at the present time or rather for the past year or so, the yieldof coal has been about 12,000 tons per annum, and with these increased facilities it is estimated that that quantity will be increased one-fourth, or to 16,000 tons. We have no doubt whatever that this is really far below the real result. In another column welpublish one of many scores of complaints from masters of vessels that have been delayed' here through inability to procure return cargoes of coal, and anything that will relieve tho portof this just ground of complaint must be in the highest degree acceptable. If by proper management vessels could load up with coal instead of ballast, at present used, owners could afford to accept lower freight*, and at the some time a permanent and valuable industry would be fostered. On the grounds above stated, then, we are glad that the Nelson Provincial Government have so far woke up to the value of the mine, and have, though so tardily, taken measures for its utilisation. But whilst so far satisfied with the action taken there is very grave exception to be taken to Mr Dent's estimate of income, and however convenient a stop-Rap, the publio will not be satisfied with tho- tramway in lieu of the railway promised. With reference to the first, we quote from the report. Mr Dent says : — Twelve thousand tons ot coal per

annum are now sold. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that at least sixteen hundred tons would be the immediate result of the alteration. The amount for carriage to Cobden thus secured would be sixteen thousand tons coal at Bs, £6400, to which the working expenses would bear a very small proportion. "The whole work could be completed in about four months. The benefit would therefore stand thus — Freight on 16,000 tons coal, at Bs, £6400 ; deduction of Is per ton from miners, £T2OO ;/lesa working expenses, per annum, £750 ; improvements, wear and tear, £750— £1500, leaving a balance to good of £5700. This amount would clearly leave a good margin to repay the outlay with interest." When the railway was first talked of, and indeed since the time when it was erroneously supposed to be all but an accomplished fact, it was estimated that coal would be by it brought down at Is per ton, and there is every reason to believe that such would, possibly may yet, be the case. By the tramway, however, it is proposed to charge the same amount as has been paid to boat?, though the circumstances of the respective transits are so widely different. In one case, as all know, the conveyance by boat is infinitely more hazardous both to life and property, and none but skilled boatmen can, with even approximate safety, bring coal cargoes down such a dangerous river. By tramway any one who can ' drive a horse can take charge of a train of coal waggons with perfect security, and irt uo personal risk whatever. It is in the highest degree absurd to think of charging such a freight, andhence the calculations of reimbursement are faulty in the extreme. The object in view is not to construct a line of tramway out of which profit may be made, but to develop a most valuable resource, and offer all possible inducements to shipowners to send their vessels to the port, alike benefiting the Colony at large, and all classes of the residents here. The rates proposed are at least too much by one- half, but we may bear in mind that they are not final, and at present are merely recommendations of the manager. It is to be hoped that when the line is built— and this is now provided for— better counsels will prevail, and that the Nelson Executive will admit the wisdom of furnishing coal at the lowest poosible rates, in order to allow the district to compete successfully with other coal nelds that have of late been opened in various parts of the Colony. At the same time, we think that an explanation is owing from the General Government as to the singular delay that has taken place in the construction of the Brunner Coal Railway. It was specially sanctioned by Parliament ; it has been reported on favorably ; has been snrveyed along the whole route; plans are said to have been submitted to Messrs Brogden ; and yet, for all that we can see, its completion, and indeed its commencement, may be delayed for all time. The tramway will be of temporary service no doubt, but the railway ought at least to have been begun before 'this, The public of the Grey Valley have a lively recollection of ministerial promises on this head, and it is to be hoped that they will not prove of the proverbial pie crust kind. As a temporary . expedient, the tramway will no doubt be of service, btit at the same time will fall far short of the requirements of the mine, or develop, as they should be, the vast mineral treasure that the Brunner workings contain.