The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 146, 18 January 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1868.

It certainly does seem strange that the Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Company should so neglect the interests of this port. Steamer after steamer its the same, and although they are advertised to call here they pass without even signalling, much less waiting to see whether there are any passengers or freight, or if there was any vessel in port that could tender them. It is not so long since that a large number of diggers were put to a serious inconvenience through this creatment, and now only as late as last Sunday or Monday the Ofcao-o passed on her way to Nelson without calling, though there was a large and valuable consignment of gold wait-inW for her to be despatched to Melbourne direct. This is to be lamented, as we believe that two of the banks had intimated their intention of shipping direct for the future, instead of via the Grey or Hokitika. The only excuse that can be made is that the vessel was behind time, but surely this excuse will not always avail. If the P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Company do not think the Buller trade worth attending to, it would be much better to give it up altogether, and then perhaps some _ other line would look after it. The interests of "Westport demand frequent and direct communication with the Australian colonies, and not by way of either Hokitika or Nelson. This roundabout mode of proceeding is infinitely worse than the communication by means of sailing craft, for by the latter mode both passengers and merchandise are conveyed direct without being subject to the trouble, annoyance, and loss occasioned b> transhipment, and very often goods arrive at their destination earlier than when shipped on board of steamvessels, as instances have been known of merchandise having circumnavigated New Zealand before it has arrived at the place to which it is consigned. This treatment being repeated over and over again will naturally make the Westport merchants and the consignors of goods in Melbourne distrustful, and hence what would become a valuable trade is lost through either mismanagement or inattention. Shoujd the discoveries of gold increase in this district, a large population will be attracted to these shores, and it is* therefore necessary that some guarantee should be offered to prevent these continued disappointments. We certainly think that the P.N.Z. and A.B.M. Company are standing in their own light by this course of action, for very soon the residents of the Buller district will become disgusted at this kind of treatment, and take other means to insure something like regularity of communication. Taking it on an average, it would not involve a detention of more than about sis or seven hours, while it would be conferring not only a benefit on "West-

port, but become a source of profit to the shareholders of any Company that would think it worth their while to call regularly at the Buller.