The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 904, 23 December 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871.

Befoke another issue of this paper is presented to our readers, Christinas, with its festivities and its many endearing associations, will have come and gone. We believe that the hallowed memories of life and history which should be revived by the name of Christmas will be revived and their full influence felt, according to the disposition of our readers, and their national experience of the day as a season of festivity. It will not be out of place, at the outgoing of the present year and the approach of another, to review the incidents of the past and to endeavour to form a correct estimate of our future prospects. In dealing with the past, our task is not altogether an encouraging one. The census taken early in the year confirmed the previous apprehension as to the decline of the mining population resident in these districts since the previous census was taken, and thio has been further attested by the marked decrease in the value of the gold exported during the year ended September 30, the falling off, as compared with 1870, amounting to nearly 19,0000z. Our readers will be fully prepared to learn that this depression of our mining industry has injuriously affected every branch of trade and commerce during the current year, at the same time we are happy to stato that recent discoveries have already led to a marked revival, and must ultimately place Wcstport in the position of the leading commercial emporium of

the West Coast. We have also further losses to record in a repetition of the serious sea encroachments winch effected damage in 1870; and although tins has given place to an improved condition of things, with every pros, pect of being permanent, it is only after serious inconvenience and loss have been inflicted upon a large proportion of our fellow townsmen. But when viewing the political events of the past twelvemonths, we find the most complete ground for congratula. tion, since this is the first occasion that Parliament has conceded any large measure directly calculated to benefit the Goldfields of this Province. We still suffer the infliction of a heavy gold export duty, and the additional burden of increased stamp duties and a new tariff, but in obtaining a share of the Middle Island Eailway Fund and the Road Board Grant for expenditure in connection with these Goldfields, we have at last received a tardy and partial, but nevertheless a valuable recognition of our claim for consideration. Yet more important as affecting the interests of the entire colony is the determination of the Government to proceed with the working of the vast mineral wealth in connection with the Mount Rochfort coalfield, while as directly influencing the future prosperity of Westport, the benefit of this work cannot be over-estimated. Necessarily, it was due to the Equality and abundance of the seam to be opened that it was decided to place the Mount Rochfori: line of railway on the schedula of lines to be immediately constructed ; but we readily believe that it was owing to fthe timely suggestions and faithful efforts of our local re* preventative that its superior advantages were made manifest to the Government. Among the other events of the year, the recent discoveries of numerous rich lines of reef at the Inangahua, and the satisfactory results obtained fron the Lyell reef, are not less noteworthy. In connection with the latter every praise is due to the untiring fortitude of the prospectors who unaided have succeeded in bringing a tedious, laborious and expensive enterprise to so splendid an issue. All men hear of their success, but the prospectors alone or their more intimate friends can tell the hardships, the privations, the alternating hope and fear experienced by them during three years of laborious toil. The gradual introduction of a class of boats better adapted to the naviagation of the upper course of the Buller, together with the construction of a towing track, has led to a reduction in the freight charges, and a large increase of merchandise for transport, and we confidently believe that further improvements will speedily admit of their still further reduction. It is impossible, within the limited space at our command to do more than briefly touch upon the most important events of the year nearly approaching its close. As we have indicated, the future of this district presents a more hopeful view than it has hitherto fallen to our lot to anticipate for any incoming year. With the speedy development of a large and valuable coalfield, the profit from working which and constructing the line of railway will be immediately felt, and with the most extensive reefs yet discovered in New Zealand, all proved to be highly payable, and shortly to be actually worked, we are justified in looking forward e to an immediate and uninterrupted course of prosperity.