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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 268, 10 June 1868, Page 2

A short time ago attention was drawn to the fact of the Panama Company's boats or other large steamers never calling at the Buller, and shortly afterwards we were told that a memorial was in preparation which would probably have the desired efFect. Some time however has elapsed, and up to the present time no notice whatever has been taken of the matter, and the public of the district are put to loss and inconvenience whilst the proprietary of the steamers are at the same time losing money that is literally begging acceptance. Every week the coasting steamers take away gold in greater or less quantities, and yesterday alone between four and five thousand ounces were shipped. Our average gold yield may be set down as not less than four thousand ounces a week, that is including the yield of Charleston and Brighton, or even without the latter place ; and the banks would certainly prefer direct shipment to the circuitous route now necessary, irrespective of the increased expense which- so many shipments occasion. As a matter of course freight and insurance have to be paid on gold transmitted to Hokitika or Nelson, and the same has again to be expended on its final transference to Melbourne, Sydney, or to England. Indeed, in the latter case there are three freights and three insurances to pay, viz., one to—say Hokitika, another to Sydney or Melbourne, and another one to Europe. A large part of the gold, however, goes to Sydney where it is converted into current coin, but even in that case extra and unnecessary freight, &c, is paid. If the Australian boats called off the Buller, we have a good roadstead, a permanently workable bar, and neither danger nor delay could arise, whilst the gold freight alone would pay handsomely for the visit. As a matter of course, the miner really pay 3 the increased charges in obtaining a less price for his produce than the banks could afford to pay, were they relieved of these costs, and so the working man is mulcted of money that he might receive under different circumstances. But in addition to the gold freight that would be procurable, the Australian boats would command a large passenger and cargo trade, and if goods could be brought direct, many who now ship in sailing vessels would avail themselves of the speedier and more certain means of transit afforded by steam. As it is now, what with charges at Hokitika, shipment and transhipment, extra freight for bringing on here, and one thing and another, the cost is quadrupled in some cases to that of goods forwarded by sailing vessels, and what is more, through there being so many ports of call, as much time as might be, is not saved. We are confident that could cargo be forwarded by steam from Melbourne or Sydney for here in one bottom, a large trade would soon spring up, amply sufficient to more than compensate for any' delay accruing. On all grounds it is desirable that the attention of the Panama Company should be attracted to this fact, for not only would regular mail communication be a great boon to the district, but its establishment would also be the means of securing a lucrative trade for the vessels employed.