CORRESPONDENCE.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 811, 13 May 1871, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

While desirous to give publicity to the discission of matters of public interest, we art not necessarily to be identified with the opinions of our correspondents. (To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus _). Sir, —Will you kindly permit space for the following in your valuable journal; if, happily, it may stir the inhabitants to some action in tbe matter. The serious encroachments of the .sea threatening destruction to the principal portion of Westport, is so momentous a matter that I feel bound to urge upon the inhabitants immediate action ; and understanding that a deputation, supported by the opinion of the highest nautical authority here, waited upon the powers that be, asking permission to assist nature by uniting the river with the sea in the most desirable place, met with a flat refusal, and more than supineness, absolute indifference to the consequences. Now, when such a vast amount of property is at stake, and utter ruin staring many in the face, is it fit that the inhabitants should rest content with this indifference ? Ought they not to stir themselves and memorialise the Council now sitting, to give permission to save from unutterable ruin the property now threatened ; or send a competent marine surveyor, unprejudiced by the opinion of predecessors, who are not marine surveyors. The opinion advanced, and to which the authorities were wedded, is, that tbe farther southward the channel is, the deeper will be the water. Time and facts prove this a fallacy. The channel is farther south, but there is less water, not more than half the depth there formerly was. The cause of the cutting out, the powers are ignorant of, and know not the remedy, and are wilfully blind and culpably negligent of the consequences. The sea and river will and must meet by cutting through the spit near the site of the Old Cemetery, in spite of every effort, but, before nature effects that, there is every probability of Westport being destroyed. The only thing to save it is to open the channel, and let the river have a free course.

What did they at Hokitika ? Seat for the ablest marine surveyors, who

advised giving the river a direct outlet ; and with a hearty will the inhabitants turned out and accomplished it; and in two days all w is secure, the encroachment ceased, and the beach rapidly filled up, and has been making ever since. Here we have far greater reasons for following the same course—a greater body of water, a channel scoured out seaward, and only insignificant expense required. I must not enlarge, but simply urge the inhabitants to memorialise the Council, and if they will do nothing, nor let us, on them be the obloquy.— I am, &c, Westpobtian. Westport, May 10, 1871.