The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 333, 25 August 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1868.

Howeveu desirable for the best interests of Westport. the development of the resources of Mount Roehforfc may be, it is certain that we shall have to wait lor some time before the necessary capital for the enterprise is gathered. Strangely enough a mine at the Grey, which is not only not superior in any respect, but rather the contrary, is undertaken by capitalists, and is now in a fair way of being worked to the advantage both of the district in which it is situated, and the shareholders who open it up. According to Woolwich tests the Mount Roehforfc is infinitely superior to that of the Grrey for shipment, being of a far harder texture, and vet capital in the one case can readily be procured, whilst in the other, though the coal was discovered more than five years ago, no steps have been taken to utilise it. We cannot presume to give a reason for this difference beyond the fact that in one locality there are energetic men, and in the other that class is sadly wanted. A short time ago it was rumoured that Mr IV. Edwards had taken up the subject, and had gone to Wellington with the intention of forming a company for the purpose, but we fear the news was too good to be true, for we have heard no more on the subject. Messrs Burnett and Wrigg have reported so favorably on the prospects of a company of the kind that it is just possible it may yet be floated, but no immediate results are likely to accrue apparently,

' scheme, is it not possible for the Westportians to help themselves in this respect, at all events ina lesserdegree? ) When Dr. Hector made a rough geological .survey of the West Const, ho told us many things that have since proved true. He said that gold , in leads ran northerly, and predicted the very leads now discovered in the Caledonian and other terraces. He further gave as his opinion that beach leads as at the Five Mile, Okarita would he discovered, but these as yet "are unfulfilled prophcies. In reference to coal however, he was far more explicit, and stated positively that a vastcoal bed of some sixteen miles in length, with one or two faults or breaks extended northward, and of this there cannot be the slightest doubt. Though Mount Eochford seems to be the grand coal centre, there is no doubt that the seams run right down the coast, becoming thinner and of an inferior quality as they proceed south. This is seen at Charleston, where the cool has hardly passed itslignite stage. About the Grey another quality seems to begin, the Eazorback range probably cutting off the more modern deposits. At Waimongoroa however, only nine miles from here, excellent coal can bo obtained, and as a proof of this it has been used for aome months in the

smith's forge at the quartz reef, and has proved of first class quality. The seam from which it has been taken is of great thickness, and an immense amount of coal can be procured from it with very littlo labour. A dead flat extends from the Waimongoroa to Wcstport; a tramway could with ease and atdittle expense, be laid down, and surely we might make a start on a small scale, as a coal producing port, from this source alone. But, irrespective of this coal actually staring us in the face, and only wanting excavation, no doubt there are numbers of other places, even nearer, where the mineral could be procured with equal ease, and in as large quantities, if people did but take the trouble to look for it. One enterprising gentleman has offered a reward for the discovery of a coal seam within certain limits, and has been lauded as a public benefactor in consequence, but like many ot l ier patriotic people, he is throwing out a sprat to catch a mackerel, for if a coalfield is found, he comes in for certain advan- ] tages in connection with leases of coal reserves. Nevertheless we hope that j

the monoy will be claimed, and we are sure that that is his fondest wish, for every one would bo thereby more or loss advantaged. Disinterestedness is too rare a virtue in those days to expect it even from an M.P.O. The present question resolves itself into this. Whether,as we see no present prospect of the larger undertaking being gone iuto at once, we shall rest contented until such is the case. We have coal in the immediate vicinity that will cost but a trifle to bring in, we have vessels of all hinds ballasting with sand for want of better material, we have steamers calling constantly that would gladly fill their holds with coal from here when en route to Nelson, and yet we allow them to go away empty, and sen-1 West Coast sand to ornament the ballastiug grounds of Sydney and Melbourne. Would it not be more reasonable to bring in, say Waimongorn.a coal, and rather let them carry that awav? There has not been any opportunity of fully testing this mineral further'than in'the smith's forgo above referred to, but that alone shonld he a criterion of its quality. But even supposing that it is not equal to the coal of some places, and that 13 assuming what is not warranted by facts, surely it would be better to ship inferior coal as ballast that would realise something over its cost, thau sand that has to be thrown away. It can be supplied at a very cheap rate, and whether for consumption here or elsewhere, will meet with a ready sale. Its quality of course has yet to bo deter mined. In the meanwhile let those most interested reflect whether instead of waiting for capitalists, they cannot as we have before observed, help themselves on a small scale, and at once turn to account a portion of the mineral wealth lying at our very doors.