The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 828, 22 June 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1871.

Although very favourably eifcuated in respect to the newly-opened workings of the Upper Inangahua, Westport, is not deriving benefit from these discoveries any way proportionate to its physical advantages. "While as a community we are satisfied that, owing to the great facilities of our water carriage, it is impossible for Q-reymouth to compete successfully with our traders in supplying the wants of the increasing population of those districts ; it is, nevertheless, seen that the energy and enterprise ol our southern neighbours have proved sufficient to overcome the serious obstacle of a difficult means of communication, and have secured to them well nigh the entire trade of this important district. According to the statement of residents at Eeefton, not fewer than twenty pack-horses, laden with merchandise, are driven daily into Eeefton from the Grey Saddle, while fifteen horse loads weekly represent the quantity of merchandise supplied by Westport. The entire secret of this influx of trade to Greymouth lies in the fact that the cost of carriage is less from Greymouth than from Westport. While by the present route goods have to be conveyed a much greater distance by horse track than from Westport, lower prices are charged for their conveyance than are demanded by our local boatmen and packers, and, as a consequence, Greymouth has practically secured the entire traffic; and having secured it, any effort to divert the trade will be, attended with daily increasing difficulty.

Those familiar with the proceedings of the late session of the Provincial Council will recollect that a sum of £ISOO was placed upon the Estimates for the construction of a towing track from Westport to the Inangahua Landing, but, as the sum voted by th e Council for Provinciai expenditure ex. ceeded by some £BOOO the estimated revenue of the Province, there is little likelihood of this really important work being undertaken this year. For this reason an offer was made by some "Westport residents to undertake the formation of a towing track, upon the condition that the constructors would be empowered to levy a toll of £1 per ton, upon all merchandise transported to the reefs by means of boats using the track. It was also proposed that the Government should be at liberty at any time to tako over the track by giving three months' notice and paying the cost of construction with ten per cent, added to cover miscellaneous expenses. Tho Government received this offer favourably, and it will be seen by reference to our advertising

columns that a meeting of persons interested in this important work, is called for the purpose, we understand, of placing the matter in proper hands. We hope, on public grounds, that it will be carried out in a manner to secure for Westport a trade of which it cannot be deprived except by the most culpable neglect, and that the Inangahua may thus obtain an easy, cheap and reliable means of communication with the port, so that the cost of provisions and mining machinery may be reduced. As an investment this undertaking, with the protection, will yield a handsome return upon the capital invested; and the public benefits which it will confer upon the trade of this district are, we believe, sufficient to command for it a large amount ot support.