The Westport Times. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1872
If further convincing proofs were needtfd that the present system of coal supply at "Westport is miserably inefficient, the experiences of householders for the past week, driven to their wits end to obtain fuel, should be conclusive. Firewood scarce, and not a single bag of coal to be obtained for love or money, and yet, within a few miles of the town, there are spreading scores of acres of coalbearing land, oifering a supply, practically inexhaustible, easily worked, and of the finest quality. Truly such a stato of things is anomalous, au effectual disclaimer to any pretensions this community may make to commercial activity and smartness. An evidence rather of apathy, of narrow views, or timorous policy. Some little time ago an attempt was made to form a company to ootain a beneficial interest in the Ngakawhao coal mine, to purchase a steamer for the coal trade and towing purposes, and to generally organise an association that would insure moderately good dividends to the shareholders, while conducing to the benefit of every individual member of the community, and adding also to the commercial importance of the Buller trade. Few objected thereto, still fewer doubted the feasibility of the project, not a few put down their names for shares therein, and, up to a certain point, the idea seemed to healthily expand, and give promise of full fruition. But it failed nevertheless. Why or wherefore, is difficult to tell or conceive, but the fact is patent and undeniable that no eftorl has since been made to resuscitate the idea, or devise a scheme which might be found more practicable in its details. The Buller river port, the safest aid most easily approachable on the West Coast, has no tug boat worthy of the name, and coal, which might be had in never ceasing abundance, is trafficked and huckstered in, upon a scale as puny and ridiculous, as it is also exasperating. What is needed, and,in fact, what every one says is needed, is a stroug built handy boat, of good towing power and comparatively light draught of water, of •sufficiently capacious carrying power to keep the Westport market well supplied with coal, aud in spare intervals, other ports also. The towing of vessels would create a considerable subsidiary employment, and tho shareholders would also be in a position to lneko terms for toudering the large Melbourne steamers which now give this port a wide berth, simply because there exist no present facilities for shipping either passengers or cargo. The whole matter seems to resolve itself into a question of amicable arrangement, whereby present vested interests may be become merged in a larger and more profitable undertaking. The holders of the Ngakawhao Coal-mine, have made application for a lease of two square miles of land, rich in coal deposits. It is not probable that the Greneral Government will grant tho full extent applied for, but supposing the grant to be limited to even forty acres ; that area alone would yield supplies sufficient for the needs of the present generation of people, on the entire West Coast The holders of the coal-mine depend at present on the steamer Result, to bring ;£heir coals to market, The service is insufficient, the market is constantly bare of supplies, the shareholders in either boat or coal-mine cannfefr share very heavy dividends, and much public inconvenience constantly arises. The question for arrangement seems to be the formation of a company with sufficient capital to purchase a boat of the description indicated, and, thereafter, an equitable combination of interests with the owners of the Kesult, aud the halders -of the Ngakawhao Coal-mine.
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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 988, 19 July 1872, Page 2
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611The Westport Times. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1872 Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 988, 19 July 1872, Page 2
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