THE NGAKAWHAU COALFIELD

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

THE NGAKAWHAU COALFIELD

(To the Editor of the Westport Times.') Sib,—ln your issue of the 28th instant reference is made to a memorial to the Minister of Public Works, praying that action be taken towards the expenditure of money roted for railway works between Westport and the Ngakawhau Coal, field, and I notice the following remarks. *• We hear that umbrag9 has been taken by some promoters of the Ngakawhau Coal Mining Scheme at the action of the memorialists as tending probably to prejudice their plan of floating a company to work the coal trade from the Ngakawhau river Ac. On behalf of myself and copartners I wish to state that we have no objections to the formation of a railway from Westport to the extensive coalfield lately opened up by us, neither do we think the making of such railway will in any way prevent the formation of a company as intended by us, but rather be a further inducement to capitalists to assist us in our undertaking. I may here state that had the present shareholders the means to provide suitable vessels they would never have entertained the idea of enlarging the company, nor, had there been sufficient public spirit in Westport to provide suitable vessels to work the coal trade, pending the completion of railway works, would the present lessees have thought of enlarging the company, but having at considerable expense to themselves, unaided in any manner, and in opposition to all previous reports on the gold deposits of that district, succeeding in proving the existence of the most valuable coalfield hitherto found in New Zealand, and also the possibility of working the"