ALBION COAL COMPANY.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1099, 19 August 1873, Page 2

ALBION COAL COMPANY.

On Saturday last a meeting of the local shareholders was held at Gilmer's Hotel, to consult with Mr A. Beetham, the managing director, as to the progress of the company's business, and the proposed lino of action of the directorate. Mr J. W. Humphrey in the chair, It was explained to Mr Beetham that the report by Mr Higginson to the General Government, upon the Ngakawhau Railway and Buller Harbor Works, as also Mr Oarruthers' remarks and recommendation thereon, had been very favorably received by the Westport public, as indicating precisely the course of action they had been strenuously pleading for during many years past, as necessary not only for the preservation of the town but for the opening up of the coalfields whereon depended all hopes of the 1 place attaining anydegreeof prosperity. But some uneasiness had arisen from the circulation of a report that he (Mr Beetham) had expressed disapproval of the railway scheme, as tending, if carried out, to promote competition with the trade of the Albion Company, and that therefore he intended to bring what influence he possessed to bear in order to obtain a modification of the scheme by diverting some of the proposed outlay to river improvements at the Ngakawhau ; although Mr Higginson had in his report questioned the utility of any works being attempted there. Without going into the question of Mr Beethatn's individual influence in this respect, or the opinions of the Directors and general shareholders, it was shown that such action, if contemplated, would be directly antagonistic to the wishes of the Westport shareholders, and would instantly arouse strong opposition. It had therefore been considered the better plan to interview Mr Beetham and obtain a definite statement from him on the subject. Mr Beetham enquired how the report had originated, and it was explained that a telegram had been received from Wellington intimating that he had expressed strong disapproval of the scheme.

Mr Bketiiam said there had been a very evident misapprehension of the true meaning of any opinion he might have expressed at Wellington. He certainly had said that he thought the Government should confiue themselves to first making a harbor at "Westporl and leave the railway to the Albion Company, or other private enterprise, and also that he considered the idea of river works at the Ngakawhau had not received fair consideration, in fact that the Albion Company had in this respect been badly treated, but any thought of opposition to the plan of works as propounded by Messrs Carruthers and Higginson he had never for a moment entertained. He only hoped that the Q-overnuiunt would

obtain the vote and spend the money promptly. Those .present might remember that £70,000 had been voted before for the development of the Mount Koohfort Coalfield, and of that sum not one penny had yet been expended, and he held strongly to the opinion that, without interfering with the present anticipated vote for railway or river works at the Bullor, the G-overnment should grant a few thousand pounds towards utilising the Ngakawhau river as a means of opening up the mine. The <\ibion Company was bound under agreement to get out a certain quantity of coal, increasing year after year, and to fulfil those terms it was necessary to at once improve the means of access to the mine, for even supposing the Government commenced the railway works within the next six montlu, it would be perhaps two years before the line was open for traffic, although in the meantime the Albion Company would be held strictly to the terms of the lease. He maintained therefore that the Government should assist the company, and he would cudeavor to obtain such assistance, upon the ground that the company should not be compelled to do work which when completed would be as much for the general public good as for the good of the company, and would in fact permit any other company, obtaining a lease above the Albion mine,to use such improvements without contributing a penny to the cost.

As to the projected course of action in working the mine, Mr Beetham explained that he had appointed an experienced mining manager who had already prepared plans and contemplated opening up the mine by additional drives. A staff of miners had also been engaged, a new staging and shoot would also be erected, and, to facilitate the passage of steamers up stream a channel had been marked out, in which all boulders and stones would be removed from projecting points, thus making the channel straight, or nearly so, from the jaws of the river at the bar up to the mine. For this purpose two river boats had been purchased to be planked over and used as a barge, and three men had been employed. The rocks near the mine, now in the way of vessels, would also be blasted with dynamite. It was impossible to say what th : s work would cost, and its effectiveness would depend upon the money expended thereon by the company, supplemented by any grant to be obtained from the General Government.

As to the purchase of a steamer for the company, Mr Beetham stated that after searching deligently for a suitable boat, the only one to be obtained at all adapted for the purpose of the coal trade was the Coomerang steamer, now trading between Auckland and Napier. This was a boat of large carrying capacity, something like 150 tons below hatches, in addition to duck cargo, with 70 horse power engines, and drawing when loaded to the utmost, not more than 6 feet 6 inches. She was suitable also for either cattle or passenger trade, and might at times be used for such purposes. He had been given the refusal of the purchase of the vessel for £4OOO, and had, on behalf of the Compauy, telegraphed that morning to the owners to close the purchase, upon terms to be agreed on.

A discussion ensued as to the Coomerang being fitted for the Ngakawhau trade, her great length and beam being considered as a detriment to her working the difficult bar, and her draught even at 6 feet 6 inches being too much for the depth of water on the bar at certain seasons of the year, when it actually becomes almost dry at low water. Her steering and steaming qualities were also questioned. It wa thought by some present that the boat would prove expensive by reason of laying up, and that a risk would be always incurred of her sticking fast either on the Ngakawhau bar or in the channel. Mr Beetham explained that the clearing away of the stones in the channel was specially intended to allow free access for the Coomerang, and that there was ample space for her swinging in the pool opposite the mine. The boat he thought could safely work the river for nine months in the year, and he was sanguine enough to anticipate that, as the trade increased, the company would want not only the Coomerang steamer but others, and then more boats could be obtained specially adapted for the trade. He considered under all circumstances, especially taking into account the scarcity of suitable tonnage either in the New Zealand or Australian waters, that the purchase of the boat at the price was a good investment, even if the company again disposed of her. He reminded the meeting that Mr Dransfield, acting on behalf of the Wellington Coal Company, had failed to purchase in Melbourne a single vessel suitable for the coal trade. After some further conversational discussion the following resolution, proposed by Mr Sheahan, was carried unanimously : " That the Westport shareholders having heard Mr Beetham's explanation, hereby express their confidence in him as Managing Director, and also in the general directory."

Mr BeethaM returned thanks and expressed his gratification at having met the shareholders and obtained an expression of their wishes and opinions. A vote of thanks to che chairman terminated the proceedings.

In reference to the projected river improvements it may bo mcutioned that Harbor Master Captain Leech on Friday last accompanied Mr Bcetham and one of the Directors of the company to tho Ngakawhau, to

§ explain on the spot his views as to straightening aud improving the navigation of the channel. Such views being embodied in a written report to the Directors. Captain Leech is of opinion that—To make the channel comparatively straight it will be necessary to remove two overlapping points, or spits, composed of boulders of various sizes, but nearly all loose and portable; these can be removed best by barges, and discharged at convenient spots on the river banks. The removal of certain obstructions in the deep basin opposite the mine is also of paramount importance, and a depth of at least syven feet should be obtained at the lowest spring tides, prior to the discontinuance of operations on those dangers. The largest stones in the channel should also be removed, particularly those on the face, where the river has to be crossed which is the shallowest water between the bar and the mine, this place should be well cleared. When those works are completed Captain Leech considers the river navigation will be pretty safe for suitable vessels with careful commanders. The draught of water for Ngakawhau (all the year round) should not exceed five feet, but as no steamers, that can carry sufficiently, are available of that draught, nothing drawing over six feet, or six feet six inches, deeply laden, should be purchased. A paddle boat with disconnecting engines is the proper vessel for the Ngakawhau, or else a twin-screw, but the paddle is preferable. As to the purchase of the Coomerang or any particular vessel as suitable for the trade the Harbor Master expresses no opinion.