THE BULLER COAL TRADE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1643, 10 November 1873, Page 2

THE BULLER COAL TRADE.

[avestport times.]

The coal trade of this port, aboafc which so much has been said and projected, is at last approaching very closely a definite form and issue. The Coomerang may be expected here within a few days, and, all things favoring, may go away coal laden. An application has been made by the Buller Coal Company for a wharf site, and will probably be followed by others. Another company is also making quiet but steady progress, and may even yet be the first to do actual business. The promoters of the North Ngakawhau Coal Company haying so far made satisfactory arrangements for working the coal seanis ou the north bank of the Ngakawhau, have applied for a wharf site there, and also for another site as a coal depot at the South Spit, Buller River, where they purpose storing coal for trading' purposes. To bring coals thither they have arranged for chartering for twelve months the light draught twin-screw steamer now being built in Hokitika, and which in about two months time will be in running trim. This steamer, which will carry forty tons under hatches, at 4ft Gin draught, or twenty tons on an even keel at 3ft Gin, is being : being built expressly for working shallow bars like thai of the Ngakawhau Inlet, and will thus be enabled, even when the entrance there is in its worst state, to bring out at least half cargoes, and under ordinary circumstances full freights. The steamer will work in the coal trade chiefly between this port and Hokitika, performing such local work as may offer. In connection with this there is one branch of service in which a boat of the description referred to could be made of infinite service to this port. We refer, of course, to the tendering of the Melbourne boats passing along this coast. The disadvantages under which Westport suffers by reason of the transhipment of Melbourno goods at Nelson or Greymouth, the consequent increase of riskß, and also freight charges, are all so well known, to even the humblest consumer of imported goods, <that reference thereto is scarcely necessary, as arguments in favor of the steamers being tendered in the Buller voadatead.