The Westport Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 703, 27 August 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1870.

It is proposed by Mr M'Deod to construct a wharf at the end of Gladstone street, on terms similar to those upon which like improvements have been already erected, opposite Kennedy and Bright streets. There can be no possible objection, if the Government have fully decided not to undertake works of this character at Westport in future, to any private individual being permitted to construct wharves or jetties; at the same time the Government would do well to dispose of the seldom-used structure known as the Government wharf, the receipts from which at present certainly cannot average £5 monthly. The Government having conceded the right to another to construct jetties

more favorably situated for the accomodation of shipping, it very naturally follows that the Government jetty is only used in cases of emergency, when the remaining wharves are occupied. The present wharfage dues in Westport amount to something like £7OO per annum, and this revenue yearly might bo secured by the Government by an outlay of something like six hundred pounds. If the Government, however, propose to leave the erection of wharves altogether to private enterprise, it would be only prudent to dispose of the structure now on hand, which, of little value at present, would be rendered practically worthless in the event of an additional wharf being constructed in Gladstone street. It appears somewhat singular that, when thousands of pounds are being expended in river improvements, a trifling sum suflicient to purchase the wharves should not be forthcoming. If the wharf dues were collected by Government, an annual income of six or seven hundred pounds would be thereby secured, which would at least serve as a useful fund in protecting the banks, and maintaining the navigation of the river.