BULLER RIVER TOWING TRACK.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 829, 24 June 1871, Page 2

BULLER RIVER TOWING TRACK.

A public meeting, convened by advertisement, was held at the Empire Hotel, Westport, on Thursday evenins:, to consider the advisability of constructing a towing track from Westport to the Inangahua. Tne Chairman, Mr O'Conor, explained the object of the meeting. He stated that he, had been strongly impressed with the necessity of improving the navigation of the Buller river in order to secure the traffic to the Inangahua and Murray reefs, and to cheapen the cost of provisions to the miners engaged at these workings. He had carefully inspected the Buller to its confluence with the Inangahua, for the purpose of ascertaining, what improvements were practicable. The cost of making the river available for a steamer of light draught was found to be greater than the requirements of the district warranted, and it was concluded that by means of a towing track which would connect the existing beaches, and a towing rope fixed in the gorges, the work of transporting merchandise to the reefs would be greatly facilitated, and would result in a large reduction in the existing freight charges. According to his own estimate the work could not cost more than £750. He had learut from the Provincial Engineer that the work had been valued unnecessarily high, and that it would not probably exceed £G4O. As a representative for the district in the Council he had proposed a vote for the work, but owing to the financial condition of the Province it was very unlikely that it would be proceeded with by the Government this year. For that reason he had made a proposal to the Government to construct the track and had applied lor protection. Mr O'Conor read the application and also the Provincial Secretary's reply. It would be seen that the Government had accepted his proposal with certain modifications. His chief object in bringing the matter before the public was that the rate of toll collected might be reduced to a minimum. It was only reasonable that if the track were constructed by one or two individuals they would be justified in charging the full tariff upon goods, but if it were thrown into a company, the matter would wear adifferentaspect. The latter probably would be satisfied with a moderate return for their capital, in which case he need scarcely inform them that very much less than 20s per ton would be sufficient, in six years, to pay for the construction of the track and give a large interest upon the capital. It was proposed, therefore, that the work should be takeu in hand by a public company to be registered under the Joint Stock Company Act, and that the capital should be £ISOO. It was thought desirable to fix the oapital at that amount, although he believed that not more than half that capital would be required and consequently the calls would not exceed half the amount of the shares. To the people of the Buller it was a work that should certainly recommend itself. If an easy means of communication were provided to the reefs aud to the interior, Westport would, he believed, enjoy a greater share of prosperity than had ever previously fallen to her, and without it he saw little hope of the existing depression being removed. In conclusion, he would inform them that it rested with the meeting whether the protection should become the property of a public companj, or whether it fell into the hands of a few private individuals. In the latter case, he was bound to inform them that the full rate of £1 per ton would certainly be demanded upon all merchandise conveyed to the reefs by means of the towing track. Personally, he would prefer that the track should fall into the hands of a public company, and to ensure that object he was prepared to co-operate with his fellow citizens. The following resolutions were then proposed and carried : Mr Humphrey moved, " That it ia desirablo to form a Joint Stock Company for the purpose of constructing a

.towing track from Westport to the ißangahua." The motion was seconded by Mr Thomas Field, and carried unani. mously. Dr. Thorpe mured, " That Messri Bailie, Powell, Field, Hughes, Corr O'Conor, and Mindermann be ap! pointed Provisional Directors, for the purpose of carrying out the previous resolution. That the capital be fixed at £ISOO, in thirty sharea of £SQ each."

Mr Graves seconded the proposition. Mr Dupuis moved as amendment* seconded by MrEtevenaux,and carried* that the shares be increased to sixtv at £25 each. '

The Chairman said that he would take the name of intending shareholders, and thirty-six shares were taken up in the room prior to the meeting adjourning. A vote of thanks was proposed to the Chairman for his public-spirited conduct.

Mr O'Conor said that it was quite a treut to receive even thanks in ac knovvledgment of any effort he might make to advance the interests of Westport.