The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 174, 20 February 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1868.

There can be no doubt that the riches of the West Coast in the Nelson Province are as yet in their very earliest stage of development, and though great sums have been spent, in a Nelson peint of view, in opening up tracks and facilitating traffic through the country, still these amounts are but as drops in a bucket in comparison with what can be and should be yet expended. When our population was counted by scores, or at outside by hundreds, the expenditure was possibly as much as the existing or probable yield of gold warranted, but now that we have thousands around us, and what is more, profitable work for such numbers, the case is altogether altered, and the outlay required proportionately increased. For months on months incessant rain baffled all operations on Waite's Pakihis, and ruin and disaster was alike the lot of miner and storekeeper. Now a vast change for the better has taken place, and the patience and pluck of those who have had the means to hold out, is about to be rewarded. Still a mere packing track is all the means afforded for the conveyance of goods, whilst at a comparatively small outlay it could be converted into a dray road, the transport of machinery thereby facilitated, the price of provisons reduced, and the prosperity of both the residents on the diggings and in the town immensely accelerated. Whether this will be done, remains to be seen, but its necessity no one can question. Another and still stronger case is presented in the access to the Caledonian Diggings. There can be but one opinion as to the extent, the richness and the permanence of this goldfield, and many old and experienced miners, in whose judgment the , most perfect confidence may bs placed, consider that one of the largest fields in New Zealand will be opened in this locality calculated to suppoi't from 7000 to 10,000 men. Whether this is too high an estimate or not we cannot of course say, time only will tell, and the problem will take greater time for its solution in consequence of the expensive character of its workings, and the consequent, almost unsuperable obstacles presented to poor men. One thing, however, is certain, that when

the preliminary difficulties are once surmounted a glorious reward awaits the enterprising ; and the Caledonian may now fairly take rank as one of the most important places ever yet opened along the whole length of the West Coast. Notwithstanding this, and in the face of proofs constantly presented to official notice, no steps are taken to utilise these discoveries, and for the privilege of wading through seas of mud spiked throughout their length and breadth with loose logs and permanent stumps, and with every other bush obstruction or danger, the Q-overument have authorised the levy by private persons of most exorbitant and extortionate tolls. It is time that Messrs Scott and Stevens, individually or collectively, did cut what by courtesy is termed a track, but it is in fact nothing but a kind of horse and man trap, and to be allowed to charge toll m such a dangerous work is one of the many extraordinary things permitted on the West Coast. The other day when some packers tried the question, and objected to pay chiefly on account of the disgraceful condition of the track, Dr. Giles held that that was not a necessary portion of the contract on the part of the lessees, navely adding that if the packers did not like it they need not use it. This reminds us of the princess, who when told of the scarcity of bread amongst the poor, asked why they could not eat buns. The miners on the Caledonian cannot eat mud, otherwise they would grow rapidly too fat for work ; and as they have to depend on the same aliment that Dr. Giles has, the packers must supply them by the only avenue at present open. In a word the track is a disgrace to the lessees who own it, and the Government who allow its use In the first place it could never be intended by any legislature that private monopoly should be endured under such circumstances ; and injthe second, it is quite clear that the formation of a dray track alone will suffice for the supply of such a large body of men as now are working there, and what is more is being daily, almost hourly supplemented. We are aware that the cry of no funds will be raised, and with truth; but in a case like the present an unauthorised expenditure,evenif it occasions an unauthor'ssd debt, cannot be objected to by the Provincial Council. It will he at least three months before the Council meet to discuss the question and vote the money, and three months for works of the kind are precious, for we may during that time hope for at least intervals of fine weather. As we have before said, mining on this field is expensive, and the present mode (f getting goods there enhances the cost in a very considerable and damaging degree. The development of the field is thus retarded, and Scott's mud hole is considered amply sufficient till the Council meets. As a matter of course, for possession of this valuable public(?) work Mr Scott must be remunerated, and a right good claim will it prove t > him. Still this is better than to let things be as they are. The subject is one of the most vital importance to every one in business in Westport as wellasto theminers and storekeepers on the diggings ; but unless popular agitation is brought to bear on the authorities we fear there is little present hope of any improvement. A visit from Westport to the Caledonian or vice versa is one of no little difficulty at present; but were a palpable road made there would be a constant ebbing and flowing therein of populatiou alike beneficial to both races. Let us hope that the object will be taken up vigorously by all, for all are interested, and that before long we may find that the Pakihis, Westport and the Caledonian possess roads where horses are not likely to be staked or bogged and over which human beings can pass in comfort.