The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 240, 8 May 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1868.

We had hoped that by this time nearly, Westport, Addison's Flat, and Charleston would have been connected by tramway, or, better still, by railway. A grant was made conditionally on the line being completed. A company undertook the work, amongst whom might be found some of the first contractors of Australia, and all seemed likely to go on as satisfactorily as possible. Months have elapsed since this dream Was indulged in, but at the present time the fulfilment is as far distant apparently as ever. The leading spirit in the enterprise has unfortunately met with a series of reverses, and though his pluck is as great and his confidence as unimpaired as ever, circumstances prevent him from doing as he would. The gentleman to whom we refer is well known, and, what is more, highly respected, and it is equally a matter of regret for his own sake as for the benefit of the public, that up to the present time he has. not been able to carry out what he projected. We hear—but as no public announcement or information has been made we cannot vouch for the truth of the statement — that the first hitch was a peremptory condition made by the Government that £IOOO should be lodged as security for the completion of the undertaking. If such was the case, we can hardly think it could be, the proviso was at least a strange one, for we cannot see that any one could do harm to the public or damage to the State in any way if he chose to construct ten miles of road, and could not complete twenty. All privileges attached to the contract might be withheld till the conditions were carried out in their entirety, and all rights could be retained to the same end. These would be ample guarantees, in our humble opinion, without requiring the deposit of what would be dead money for an extended period of time. But be that as it may, it is very certain, if we may judge from present appearances, that the projected railway or tramway is as far, not only from accomplishment, but from commencement as ever, and that at the present time there is actually no company or body of men who seriously propose to undertake it. Just as its chances of fruition are fading away, so are the reasons for it growing more and more apparent. At the time when the project was determined upon, Addison's Flat had to be proved. At first, hope deferred, in reference to it, had indeed made the miners' heart sick, and labor, endless labor, without reward, seemed to be the fate of all the Addisonian workers. Floods, water, everything that could hinder a district and the miner, were constantly occurring, and it seemed by no means improbable that Waite's Pakihis would be left to their primeval solitude from the apparently insurmountable obstacles that attended their working. Even then, calculations were made which showed that a line would pay handsomely, irrespective of the liberal grant of land given along the line, to the company who would construct it. This alone would have paid the prime cost, or at least by leasing, would have paid more than bank interest on the outlay. Now, however, these calculations might with safety be doubled. Addison's is an established goldfiekl, the energy of its population has put it beyond the power of the then dreaded floods ; its yield of gold is steady and constantly increasing, its cement then considered valueless, is now being crushed, and paying handsome dividends; altogether Addison's is a permanent place, from which a handsome income, both in goods and passenger traffic would be derived. The same would apply to Charleston. It is true that Charleston was much further advanced, that in fact that district had reached its youth, whilst Addison's was in its swaddling clothes, but at the same time Charleston then did not present as substantial a field for enterprise of this description as it does at present. Cement, there as elsewhere, in our shallow diggings, has proved its saviour, and it will take some years to work out this precious deposit. On

all hands then it is certain that there is a more profitable opening for the investment of capital in building a railway or tramway now than then, and it becomes a question for public consideration along the Whole of the projected route, whether or not this shall be constructed. If the original promoters cannot, or will not carry out their engagement they are, in honor at least, bound to declare their inability or unwillingness and thereby vacate the field that they will not occupy. The plans, surveys, &c, we have every reason to believe, have been made, and are at the present moment lodged in the hands of the Commissioner. It was proposed to start from the other side of the river near Packer's Point, ascend the plateau, run through Addison's and on to Charleston. The engineering difficulties were found to be slight, the Hue comparatively inexpensive, the probable profit great, and yet there is a stoppage in carrying out the work. Let all those who wish the district well, who are desirous of benefitting themselves as well as the public at large, look into the matter with a view of taking action in and completing the long talked-of connection between the three centres of population. It is unnecessary to dwell on the advantages to be derived, or the blessing it would be to all; all that is so well assured that argument is needless. But like many other things, some public spirit is required to push the matter, the lessee's carriage stops the way —can the first by any magic be evoked, and can the latter be removed in such a manner as is equitable and satisfactory to all concerned ? We think, we know, both can be achieved if some of our leading men choose to bestir themselves. The Westport, Addison's, and Charleston Railway, need no longer rank with the iron myths that are prevalent, but may take substantial shape and form, and confer substantial prosperity on the three towns interested, if their inhabitants will be but true to themselves.