The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 871, 7 October 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1871.

AccoKDiNa to our Wellington telegrams it will be seen that the petition from Greymouth and the representations of the Grey member have resulted in a proposal by the Government to extend the road system already initiated in the County of "Westland to the South-west Nelson Goldfields. The work to which the proposal more directly refers is, we presume, the construction of the Saddle road to connect tho head of the Inangahua with Greymouth; but it will also enable other works to be executed throughout this portion of the province. As our readers are aware, the construction of the Saddle road has long been a sore point with our Greymouth neighbours, and they have constantly urged the necessity of this work so that " Westport competition would be impossible" in furnishing supplies to the large market opening at the Inanganhua. Whether the completion of their line of communication will bring about the object they so thoroughly desire, u very doubtful, as the natural facilities enjoyed by Westport are such as to euable the mercautile community here to supply a population at Eeefton on terms more advantageous alike to consumers and the merchant. It cannot be denied, that if the Grey people could succeed in securing a first-class dray road between the reefs and the Grey Valley, and we were left without any similar facility between the junction of the Inangahua and the Buller rivers and Eeefton, Greymouth would permanently derive the benefit arising out of the Inangahua trade; but if placed on equal terms, so far as the facilities afforded by road communication, it is impossible for her to enter into a successful competition. The '•' Grey Argus" as the mouthpiece of, the mercantile community at Greyimuth, has always persistently maintained that the natural features of the country demanded that Greymouth should be regarded as the depot from which the Inangahua district should obtain its supplies. The arguments that have been advanced in support of this assertion have been, however, practically refuted by the stern logic of facts. Tenders were invited recently for the transport of a considerable quantity of machinery to the Inangahua reefs, to be conveyed from Weatport—not from Greymouth. Now if the Grey route had possessed the advantages which the inhabitants of Greymouth claim, it is very certain that the machinery, in place of being shipped at Melbourne for Westport, would havo been forwarded to Greymouth; and tenders invited for its conveyance thence totbe reefs. After quoting this instance, surely we may consider any ques-

tion as to the possession of superior natural facilities by which the two ports claim to command the Inangahua traffic definitely settled. Apart, however, from any local jealousy, the proposed work is one that is greatly required, as independent of the reefs, there !is a large population settled throughout the Grey district who have been employed for some years in working the alluvial deposits, to whom such a work must prove a great boon. Next to a plentiful supply of water, good roads rank in importance as! essential to the mining industry while the latter are essential to the permanent settlement of the country. Every one who is interested in the progress of the goldfields will see with pleasure that the Government have resolved to apply a sum of money under the Public Works Act to the construction of a main line of inland communication. With this constructed and local boards to whom will be entrusted the distribution of the local land fund and goldfields revenue, it will be the fault of the people alone if the available funds are not judiciously applied.