The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 198, 19 March 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1868.

Of late when any public work of greater or less importance has been involved, and application made to the authorities for funds to carry it out, the universal cry has been that there is no money at command. We are told that we have been greedy in our . demands—that the cake intendeded to last twelve months has been consumed in six, and therefore we must wait the commencement of another year before we can get a fresh supply. The question of tracks, where needed, is shelved for the time, though day by day almost, the importance of immediate action is abundantly manifest to those who have eyes to see or understandiug to comprehend, still no effort is made by the obtuse Nelson magistrate's to remedy the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. AVhen too late, or at best when almost irreparable injury has been done to the interests of the West Coast through the drainage of its population, our rulers will bestir themselves. It is clear they do not believe in the proverb of " a stitch in time saving nine," for inserting the one required, they wait till the rent needs stitches without number. As we have repeatedly shown, a most irrational stampede set in when Queensland adventurers turned up a thousand-ounce nugget, and that by its means, we have lost many miners we could ill spare, is not to be denied; though the rush is now somewhat abated, we cannot tell at what moment it may break out afresh. On this grouud alone, if on no other, it is the duty of the Government by all means in their power to fix the fleeting population ; by promoting the accessibility of established goldfields and opening up new routes for prospectors, this will be at least in a great measure effected. The news from the Upper Buller is of a most cheering nature, and the contract for the track, which was not very long ago suspended, should be at once and the work completed without delay. The dray track to Addison's ought to be made forthwith, and indeed many other works should be prosecuted that at present it is not necessary to further refer to. Neither the people nor the province can afford to wait. Nero iiddled whilst Rome was burning : our busines men certainly do not exhibit any hiliarity at the existing state of affairs—quite the contrary ; but by their apathetic, not to say idiotic in-

difference, they invite a rod for their own backs, and permit the life-blood of f prosperity to flow away in the shape 0 of population, without an effort on f thoir part to stay the dangerous ( hemorrhage. At present we would 1 lno.'-s especially direct particular 1 attention to the so-callod track that f disgraces the district between West- j port and the Caledonian Lead , of all « the outrageous jobs ever permitted in j the history of the West Coast, this , bears the palm. It is certain that the ground at the Caledonian, that has j already been opened, will maintain a large population for some time to come, and it is also proved beyond doubt, that not a tithe of the payable ground has as yet been taken up. Surely, such being the case, it is imperatively demanded that a decent track should be cut to it, but how far this has been done, all travellers whose business has led them there know to their cost. The summer is fast passing away, and even now the track is almost impassible, what will it be in a month or two hence we can only guess. Were this a good work, open to all, it would be disgraceful enough, but that the Commissioner should license the extortion of 5s per ho:se, and allow

such a barefaced robbery to be legally committed day by day, on the Caledonian people and their purveyors, it would be incredible were it not a fact. By this means, for the privilege of wading through a mud pond, packers have to put half'-a-crown a cwt on their carriage—the storekeepers are obliged ■ to charge it to the miners, and the consumers eventually have to pay that tax, on all they eat, to the fortunate licensee. Now, this is actually unbearable, and it behoves both the packers and business ■ men of Westport and the Terraces, as

well as the diggers working there, to turn round and see what can be done in the matter; if they only will unite, nothing can be easier than to rid themselves of the incubus forthwith. As to getting money, that is hopeless, but the Government cannot prevent the public from cutting another track, and leave the present tollgatherer, undisturbed, possession of his dirty road. Let a public meeting be called at the Caledonian, and let a committee then be found for the purpose. Every man in the place can aid the work, either by money or giving a day's labor, if cash is scarce. The business men of Westport will doubtless subscribe, for anythiu that will facilitate communication with the Caledonian, must directly or indirectly bring grist to their mill. By the above combination of capital and labor, we venture to say, that in a month from now, a good passable track—toll free, and safe for man or horse, can be cot or constructed. As a mere matter of expense it will save itself very shortly, and an unheard of imposition at once put an end to. If any compensation is asked for by the present track holder, let the Gevernment and Mr Scott settle it between them, though we cannot see

luw it could be demanded, inasmuch as the Grovernment did not grant eternal protection, nor undertake that the public should be prohibited from cutting a track for themselves, if they pleased. In the meanwhile, let the packer and the Caledonian residents agitate the subject, and by a trifling present outlay of money and time, they will relieve themselves of an unjust and expensive impost. They have no one to rely on but themselves, and let them bear in mind that heaven helps those who help themselves. If th sy do so in this instance, they will have every reason to be satisfied with the result of their exertions.