The Westport Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1023, 19 November 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1872.

The Immigration and Public "Works Act, 1872, empowers the Government to expend, in the construction of roads and bridges in the Nelson South-west Goldfields, £50,000 of the amount standing to the credit of the Public Worts Account or account of Railways, one-half only of which is to be expended by 30th Juno next, and the balance during the year ending 30th June, 1874-. For this and all similar blessings the residents on the Southwest Goldfields will.no doubt, be truly thankful, but public gratitude will be still more assured if, before any of the money is expended, some guarantee is given that the works to be first commenced will be those for which there exists the greatest necessity. To obtain this end it would bo well to respectfully petition that the Chief Engineer, Mr Carrutliers, who will shortly visit Nelson to report on the Foxhill railway, may be instructed to extend his journey hither with a view to consult with our Provincial Engineer and to report generally on the requirements of the Goldfields ; but especially on the projected connection by road or rail between the Ngakawhau, Mokiniui, and Mount Pochfort coal mines and this port. Few will question the assertion that the opening up of the coal mines ia second in importance to no other interest; fewer still will deny that to work the mines effectively, means of transit and communication with Westport must be provided, this being the only port where at all times, uninterrupted facilities may be obtained for the arrival and despatch of coal laden vessels. Westport must thus necessarily become the base of operations, and concurrent action might well be token in forming the line of communication, and also protecting the town itself from further damage by sea or river encroachment. To this end a visit from Mr Carrutliers, for the purpose of personal inspection and enquiry, would prove of the greatest public service. Some broad and comprehensive plan of action is needed, and assuming that Westport will be soon endowed with the privileges and responsibilities of Municipal Government, it is essentially necessary above all things, that, from the initiation of local government those to whom the management of affairs may be first' entrusted, will bo prepai*ed to commence some definite line of action. There will bo no revenue to spare in experimental efforts or to fritter away in pet projects or temporary expedients. Any work commenced by local authorities should form part and parcel of a governmental scheme deviled for the benefit of the whole district. Without a well protected port of entry the development of our gold and coal-mines must ever languish, and the present Ministry if sincere in the expressed intent to benefit the South-west Goldfields, could adopt no better plan to enable the members thereof to correctly judge the resources and requirements of the districts than by sending an officer to report thereon, and also to suggest means whereby all moneys to be allotted under Public Acts, and accruing from local revenues, or loan to be raised by municipal authority, may be

expended for the protection of the chief port and opening up the country. A petition, or even a conciso telegram to this effect from the residents in aud around West port would in all probability receive favorable consideration.