The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1872

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 925, 10 February 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1872

The experience of the past forty-eight hours, disastrous as it has proved, should not be without its value ; and as a community wo cannot feel too thankful that the floods have not resulted in consequences infinitely more serious. In another column we publish a telegram received from G-rey-inouth, showing the terrible losses that have been sustaiued by that community ; and it is not yet even known whether loss of life has to be deplored in addition to their other calamities. That the result of the flood with us has been less severe is assuredly due to the substantial protective works coustructed at the upper end of Wharf-street j and it may he affirmed, without the slightest hesitation, that, had those works been completed as originally contemplated, the destruction of the National Hotel and the adjoining properties, together with Stanley Wharf, would have been averted. That the stone groins are effective in protecting the river bank in their immediate neighbourhood has been most conclusively demonstrated ; but owing to the chain of protection being incomplete, their very action caused the current to impinge with redoubled velocity upon such portions of the river bank as were unprotected. But for the steamer Kennedy being moored at the Kennedy street Wharf, and acting as a floating protection to that portion of the bank that was assailed, the flood would undoubtedly, have carried away

other properties iu Gladstone street and "Wharf street. Let us hope that the narrow e3capo we have experienced will ho the means of inducing the authorities to complete the protective works. It is manifest that they would ho the means of thoroughly securing all the properties now threatened, and would improve the navigation of the harbour, Without them three-fourths of the town properties are threatened with -imminent destruction, and many are simply untenable. It behoves the inhabitants of this town to take instant and enerpetic action in this matter. If no other course is open there should bo no difficulty in getting "Westport declared a municipality, and with the revenue derived from the sale of town lands, reasonable taxation, wharf dues, &c, surely the funds would bo forthcoming to perform such an important work.