BULLER COALFIELD.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1107, 16 September 1873, Page 2

BULLER COALFIELD.

The following reports, dated the sth instant, have been laid before the House of Representatives: — Interim Report of Colonial Industries Committee respecting the Buller Coalfield Reserve.

I am directed by the Colonial Industries' Committee to bring up an interim report with regard to the management and disposal of the Buller Coalfield Reserve. Your Committee recommend:—

That in view of the large expenditure contemplated by the Colonial Government for the development of the Buller Coalfield, the Government take such steps as may be necessary without delay to vest the control and management of the Buller Coalfield Eeserve j ihitly in the Colonial and Provincial Governments.

"Wm. Archibald Murray, Chairman Colonial Industries Committee.

Report of the Immigration and Public Works Committee on Petition of Albert Beetham, for Albion Coal

Company. The Immigration and Public Works Committee to which the above petition was referred has the honor to report : That the petitioner prays for assistance in improving the Navigation of the Kgakawhau Eiver. I am directed to report that having heard the statements of Messrs Henderson and Beetham, the Committee is of opinion that a sum not exceeding £15,000 should be applied towards the improvement of the navigation of the Ngakawhau River, the interest of such to be recouped by dues to be p-iid by vessels using the Port. William Reeves, Chairman.

Mr O'Conor, as representative for the Buller District, moved that the report on the petition of Albert Beetham should be referred back to the Committee, upon the grounds, as stated in a telegram published in our last issue, that the evidence given was unreliable, and reflecting unwarrantably on the veracity of responsible persons. Subsequently further information has been obtained by telegram from Westport as to the capacity of the river and the rise and fall of tide on the Ngakawhau bar, and the result of Mr O'Conor's motion has been that, although up to Saturday last, the 13th instant, the matter had not come on for discussion, the Committee had expressed willingness to take back the report.