THE WATERS MOVING.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1116, 17 October 1873, Page 2

THE WATERS MOVING.

The "Nelson Examiner of the 6th inst., in ail article on the development of the mineral resources of the province thus refers to matters affecting West Coast interests : " What the Albion Company are now doing at the Ngakawhau all have learned. They are opening up their mine, they are improving the navigation of the river, they have purchased a steam collier, and whether they will ship their coal from the river on which their works are situated, or from Westport, or from both, we are certain, at all events, that their coal will soon be in the market. * * * "The company formed in Melbourne to work the West Wanganui coalfield was the earliest in the field, and will, probably, be the first to be in active work. They have secured their mine, and but for an unfortunate accident to the harbor-master of Nelson, when on his way to survey the inlet of

West Wangaimi—which necessitated the postponement of the work for a time—the company would have now been in possession of a survey of the inlet, winch they propose to deepen sufficiently to admit of steam vessels of large draft of water coming up to a pier which they propose to build for the produce of their mines. From theso Nelson has been supplied for years past with much of the fitel needed for local consumption, so that the quality of the coal is well-known here. The Melbourne firm, as we have for some time been aware, will construct a sufficient fleet of steam colliers to maintain a trade between "Wangaimi and Melbourne. They will be of 1000 or 1200 tons burden, shift with water ballast, let in by tho opening of valves in the ship's side when she is empty, and pumped out readily by the engines when the vessel is ready to load. They will be able to make a round voyage every three weeks ; and thus will make a demand upon the mines of from 3000 to 4000 tons per month. As the market is practically without limit, and the average price is high, there can be no doubt as to the profitable character of the speculation. The management is in good and thoroughly responsible hands, and no time will be lost we may assume, in geting into active work. * * * But yet another project, or projects, is now before the authorities for consideration, and there is no doubt that, on public grounds, the proposals made or to made, will not be lightly regarded, or declined without good reason assigned. A. gentleman from Melbourne, who visited Nelson a month or so ago to submit certain propositions to the General as well as to the Provincial Government, has now returned fully empowered to complete any engagements he may enter into.— He proposes, first to lease from the General Government the coal-mine at the Brunner, about six miles from the mouth of the Grey river—a coalmine which the Government is now working on the public account. He is prepared to construct a tramway from the mine to the shipping place, so as to free the proposed state railway from the local traffic, and to work the mine energetically. His propositions as regards this mine have been made to the General Government, and steps have been taken to prove to the Treasurer that the Victorian gentlemen who are primarily interested are in a position to fulfil any fair conditions that may be imposed upon them. As the Brunner mine is not a Very profitable speculation, and mining is not the legitimate business of a Government, a hope may be expressed that Mr McCarthy's offer will be accepted. From the Provincial Government a lease is desired of some 15,000 acres of coal bearing country at Mount Kochfort, about fifteen miles from Westport. The applicants for a lease of this land are ready to construct a tramway from the mine they will open to the shipping wharves they will construct at Westport whence they propose to ship coal extensively, not only to Melbourne and Adelaide, but to the markets now opening out, one after another, in the Indian and Chinese seas. The case will be heard by the Waste Lands Board here on Tuesday (to-morrow). We are not aware whether any opposition will be made to the application, which is based simply on the existing regulations on the subject. If the question is not embarrassed by any previous application we presume that the claim will be entertained, for certainly it must be to the advantage of the Province, and of the Colony, that its coalfields should no longer remain unopened, and known only to the geologist. If there should have been a prior application no doubt its character will be thoroughly investigated, so that no mythical personage, or petty proposal, should stand in the way of what promises to be matter of the greatest importance to the Province, if not to the City of Nelson.