The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 888, 16 November 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1871.

In connection with the subject of a coal line of railway between Mouut Rochfort and Westport, the facilities afforded by the safe navigability of the Buller port and the excellent accommodation available for shipping are worthy of consideration. In both these respects there cannot be the slightest doubt of the immeasurable super Wity of the Buller river over any other bar harbour on the West Coast. The great depth of water on the bar at this port, its width and steadiness, and its position render this harbour far more accessible to shipping than the Grey or Hokitika. Sheltered to the north by Cape Farewell and to the south by the Steeples, the port can be approached with safety in weather that would not admit of vessels lying in the southern roadsteads, while the prevailing south-west winds are specially adapted to vessels sailing into the port. As a fact, the majority of the shipping visiting this port either from Melbourne or New Zealand ports dispense with the services of a tug, both upon entering and leaving the harbour. To what extent the natural advantages of the harbour might be artificially improved is a subject for competent engineers to discuss. With the present advantages, there can be no doubt that a very 'arge and remunerative coal trade can be established by means of a railway between the port and the mine, and in the event of the port being capable of such improvement as would make the navigation safe for vessels of the largest draught, the market for the coal would be unlimited. We omitted to mention that the strong land breeze experienced every morning and evening in moderate weather is especially favourable to vessels leaving the river. In the event of an extensive trade in coal there can be no doubt that both here and at the Grey steam power in the shape of screw colliers will be used, and although this may render the harbours more nearly equal in facility for entrance and departure, yet the Buller will still possess the advantage of larger size and more commodious and safer internal accommodation. With respect to the relative quality of the two coals, the facility with which they can be raised, and the relative extent of the two fields, the advantages still lie with the Buller field. In the matter of the quantity of coal contained in the field this is especially the case. On comparing the thickness of the seam at the Bruuner mine,aud the area over which it extends, with a portion only of the Mount Rochfort field, we find, according to Mr Blackett's figures, that while 6,750,000 tons may be safely taken as the estimated yield of the Bruuner mine, the Mount Hochfort field may be at least estimated to yield 72,600,000 tons. Another valuable quality possessed by the Mount Bochfort coal, and by it exclusively, is its singular toughness admitting of transport from the mine to the port,and of loading and transhipment without any injury that would affect its marketable value. So long as it is used only for local purposes or by the coasting steamers this particular property may not be duly estimated, but in the event of the mine beiug worked on a large scale and the supply extending to distant markets this toughness together with its superiority as a steam fuel will be found to exercise a very important influence.