SALE OF THE COAL RESERVE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 397, 7 November 1868, Page 6

SALE OF THE COAL RESERVE.

The week's time taken for deliberation by the Progress Committee will, we fear, have been so many clays wasted, as far as any beneficial result has attended the delay. Last night week it was fully expected that Mr. Blackeli, the Provincial Engineer, would have paid the promised visit, and have corTeeted or repeated his former estimate. Instead of that, Mr. Blackett has not yet made it convenient to come, though the river bank daily makes it its business to go; if we should be favored with one more good fresh before the engineer's advent, it is quite probable that his opiuion can be well dispensed with altogether, inasmuch as the cause that has necessitated it may be swept away bodily. No doubt business engagements have prevented him from coming, but at the same time we can scarcely think that they have been of graver importance than those to which his attention here is desired. The Superintendent too has given no sign, and whether the Council will or will not be called together is as uncertain as ever. JS"ot only on this, bu; on the other side of the province, there is a desire evinced that this course should be taken, but whether it will be or not, or whether we shall muddle through the next six months without funds, or means of raising them, has yet to be determined, Although the fact of the river bank being slowly but surely eaten away may be exceedingly ludicrous to those whose property is not endangered, on the principle that " he jests at scars, who never felt a wound," still, that some more serious calamity than has hitherto happened will surely take place, if no protective measures are taken, must be evident to all. Though but a choice of evils, it appears, iu the absence of any better suggestion, the sale of the Coal Reserve, to provide at least partial funds, is the only opening that will even in some degree meet the difficulty. It is true that, if we can believe even the lowest estimate as to the cost of efficient protection, the amount so realised will not suffice for the end, but if any one can go into the contract market with at least fifty per cent of the probable price in his hands, a little financing wid generally arrange the balance. Hence the necessity for the Council meeting, as far as our interests are. concerned, for not only are we compelled to seek permission for sale, but also authority to make terms for the balance of necessary means, by handing over wharves or something from which it can bo raised. In reference to this said Coal Reserve a vast amount of misunderstanding has existed. In the first place, it is roundly asserted that it caunot be sold without a special Act of the General Assembly. A special fiddlestick might just as well be suggested. To begin, with the reserve was the creation of the Couucil, and not the General Government at all, and that it should be necessary for the colonial legislature to interfere with its disposition now, is simply ridiculous. They have quite enough to do, without

interposing in what does not concern them. It is quite true that a revocation of the reserve, possibly a Provincial ordinance, assented to by His Excellency, may bo needed for its alienation, but this at least is the outside formula needed before the Coal reserve is changed into freehold property. All goldfields' authority is delegated to the Superintendent and liis Executive, and this trouble may therefore bo wiped ont of those who fear opposition in such manner. The next objection, though not one whit more substantial than the last, has at least a greater appearance of solidity. It is, that already the Provincial authorities, for reasons of course best known to themselves, have granted leases, and rights, and powers of one kind and another to a variety of applicants, and the fear expressed is, that this hungry crowd of compensation seekers will swallow up all the atnouut realised, in case of the projected sale takiug place. Without doubt some very strange grants have been made, the whole of which will only be known when there are pickings in some or the other to be scrambled for. Up to the present time nothing definite is known in reference to coal privileges, coal leases, or coal reserves, but it is freely stated, whether with truth or not, that Mr Burnett, the pioneer coal surveyor, has something comfortable in this form ; that the Rev. C. L. Maclean, late principal of Nelson College, now Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nslson, having changed scholastic divinity for legal lore, has some interest in this respect, whilst Mr Dreyer, M.P.C., has not been one of those who have been sent empty away. Several others are mentioned as having been the lucky recipients of something " that may turn up," and this is the harvest of armed men that the sale of the Coal reserve is to call into life. Little dread need be entertained on that account, though in reference to one of the gentlemen named, we know that he cherishes fond hopes in connection with his claims. If the Provincial Executive have granted improper or uncalled for rights, let them pay the penalty for their folly. It is small consequence to Westport whether they do so or not, as long as the money needed and the money obtained, is devoted for the object for which the sacrifice, if there is any sacrifice in the matter, is made. There does not seem to be any chance of raising money by any other means, and though the sum might not be enough, other supplementary conditions, as we have before remarked, might be had recourse to, in order to get the work done. On the whole then, it would be apparent that the sooner the sale comes off the better. Prior to this many preliminary steps have to be taken, foremost of a ll , assembling the Council; let us hope they will be taken without delay. If the reserve can be sold and the proceeds appropi'iatcd otherwise, well and good, but wo think this cannot be. Altogether how r ever, as the only practicable course to save a large amount of property from destruction, the disposal of the Coal reserve, by whatever meaus accomplished,is clearlyand unquestionably desirable.