The Westport Times. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1091, 22 July 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1873.

\The business like suggestion made by ■ Vche Nelson Mail that Nelson mercantile men should strike while the iron is hot and endeavor to mako Nelson the coaling station of the Melbourne boats, should not be allowed to pass unheeded. The new arrangements made by the Poslmaster-G-eneral for the mail service, whereby Hokitika has been appointed the first port of call for the Melbourne steamers bringing the Suez mail, has been favorably received throughout New Zealand, with the exception of ,Otago; and although the Dunedin Chamber of Comini rce and the Provincial Council may strongly object thereto, and perform some vigorous wire pulling to cause a diversion of the proposed route by way of the Bluff, it hardly seems possible that the Government will weakly consent to depart from the very excellent plan laid down, without Home more cogent re-isoc than the .desire of Dunedin merchants, to have

their convenience coLsidered as paramount to all others. It cannot bo disputed that Hokitika is the nearest and most convenient place of call for steamers coming from Melbourne, and that mails landed there can be sent overland to Christchurch and through to Dunedin safely and expeditiously. Telegraphic communication is also perfect, and the mail news can bo flashed from end to end of the Colony just as easily from Hokitika, as from Dunedin, or the Bluff. The general interests of the Colony will be best promoted by the experiment of the new service receiving a fair trial, and the clamor raised by Dunedin men should be treated as of little moment. Presuming that the probabilities are in favor of'an adherence to the present arrangements, rather than submission to any compromise to satisfy the somewhat selfish demands made on behalf of Otago Province; the question of Nelson becoming the coaling station for the steamers is of very great importance, and it happens, fortunately, that the conference of the representatives of shareholders in the Albion Coal Company is now being held in Nelson. The Mail suggests that the Ngakawhau coal can be landed more easily and cheaply in Nelson than in any other New Zealand port, but that if the steamers get into the way of going to Wellington for their supply of fuel it will be found that the head quarters of the Albion Coal Company will be permanently fixed there. But the Mail overlooks the fact that the proprietors of these boats are no whit slower than other commercial men in buying in the cheapest market, and that whenever it can be shown them that good steam coal can be put ou board their craft at Nelson, even five shillings per ton less than at Welling.ton, they will not be found such creatures of habit as to forego the advantage. The one thing needful is to get a supply of coal at Nelson with all possible expedition, and to keep the stock replenished thereafcer. It will be more to the material interest of tlie Albion Company to sell their coals cheaply at Nelson, or elsewhere on the West Coast, than to make the chief depot at Wellington. It may be that the suggestion already made of a coal hulk in the Buller river, and a steam ' tug towing her out to meet the steamers in the roadstead may be ultimately adopted, but these and cognate ideas will no doubt be fully discussed by the delegates, and some immediate action taken. In addition to the supply of coal to be obtained from the Ngakawhau there is also the Greymouth mine, whence under favoring circumstances of tide and river, collier craft might be laden, and from the two mines the supply ought to be practically unlimited at all times and seasons. In the promotion of the trade from either port the Nelson Government should take an active interest, and the subject is, from any point of view, one in which Nelson and West Coast men may most cordially unite in definite and speedy action. First to use what influence they may possess towards checkmating the Otago men in their threatened move, and secondly to seize the golden opportunity of at once expanding the coal industry that has laid too long dormant.