CORRESPONDENCE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1043, 4 February 1873, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

B hilt desirous to t/ivs publicity to the discussion of matter* of public interest, toe are not necessarily to be identified with the opinions of our correspondents.

pintle in a profitable manner, provided a comparatively small outlay is made on harbor works, and a suitable class of vessels employed ; they are of opinion that such oUtlajr should be first secured. ' For information on the capabilities of the Ngakawhau as a port of shipment for coal, I would refer your readers to the reports of the Provincial Engineer, and also Dr. Hector, by both of which it will be seen that the Ngakawhau river is,' capable of shipping sufficient coal to supply the wants of all New. Zealand for years to uome. Whilst agreeing with your remarks, that " coal in countless thousands of tons is. to be found in the district.*'' I demure in thinking that •profitable employment could be found for scores of mines, as for such a large export trade would be necessary, and to do this bo as to compete with New youth Wales would require the employment of a larger class of vessels than can be now accommodated in the Buller, which is undoubtedly the best river on the West Coast, but would require a very large expenditure to make it a suitable harbor for vessels of sufficient tonnage to open up a payable coal tradb with California, India, &c. As a work of such magnitude is not likely to be undertaken for some time to come, and the coal contained in the lease of the Ngakawhau Company alone is sufficient, at the present rate of consumption of coal, io supply New. Zealand for the next 100 years; I have no hesitation in stating a mor« bona fide investment was never offered to capitalists than will shortly be offered by the Ngakawhau Coal Mining Company. Whilst coinciding with you in the opinions that the interest of the entire district is " centered in the development >df railway communication," I ■cannot my surprise at the lack of energy displayed by the residents of -this locality upon a subject of such importance as coal mining, fleeing that -the whole expense of proving the payable nature of the coal •deposits of this district has been left to the'unaided perseverance of a few private individuals. lam Sir, on behalf of the Ngakawhau Coal Company. E. C. Chambers, Manager. [The 'memorialists will no doubt be gratified to learn that any expressed disapproval of their actions may be forgotten, ; as signifying nothing. Mr Chambers, as a stranger here, seems hardly yet to comprehend the full measure of adverse influence that has, for the time, stifled " public spirit." landed " lack of energy" is in reality lack of the needful.—Ed. W. T.]