The Westport Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1874.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1218, 9 October 1874, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1874.

One hundred pounds paid from the not overflowing coffers of the Kelson Provincial treasury, towards cost of plans for improving the Greymouth harbor ! Just now shoaled up, and likely to continue so for many days, and whence not even the light draught boats of the Nelson fleet can get away. In the Buller with twenty.on;) feet of water on the bar, and the tides making, a few snags a long way up the stream only prevent the free navigation of vessels of 000 tons burthen right up to the wharf. And yet for the removal of these snags the Nelson Provincial government will not expend a single penny. An accumulation of Australia i and Sues mails for this port are detained at Jlokitika. Correspondence that might have been delivered and replied to days ago were it not that trading rivalry in Nelson and the southern ports has hitherto effectually opposed Melbourne steamers calling off this port, and with unflagging persistency underatcd its capabilities. Against this influence Nelson provincial rule has prevailed nothing, nor has it attempted in any degree to profitably utilise a port which ranks among the best of the few good tidal ports on the coas>t of New Zealand. For years past the best interest of the Province has been neglected in the neglect of this port, and although just now—when the Colonial Government of necessity rather than free will have commenced works that will make the .Buller an important outlet for the export of coal—our Nelson pettifogging rulers make a faint show of doing their duty, yet all they do or profess themselves willing to do is inadequate in tho extreme. They promise

a subsidy to a boat suited for tendering | ocean going steamers and for coastal purposes, but the offer is so hedged about with conditions that acceptance of the terms are scarcely probable. Meanwhile, any outlay, even of a few pounds sterling,-on the river channel is denied, and nothing whatever is done or contemplated—so far as the public know—to induce owners of Melbourne boats to call off the Buller. Ever since the newspaper press has been represented in Westport, the capabilities of the port, its advantages and its neglect, have been constantly recurring themes for comment Scores of columns of close typo have been set and circulated broadcast, all indicating the one point of vital importance, recognition of the capabilities of the port, and its easy access under every varying circumstances of wind and weather. And yet it has availed but little against the stolid indifference of provincial authorities and the selfish trading interests incident to small communities. Westport has ever had to contend against adverse influences, and not the least has been the faithlessness of those who should be the most earnest advocates in her behalf. All that personal influence, trade jealousy, studied mistatements, or wilful suppression of facts can effect has been brought to bear against tire good repute of this port, and yet the truth must prevail. To-day and for many days past, an oft recurring circumstance forces itself on public attention. A Melbourne steamer might with perfect ease steam across the bar—a day or two since a Melbourne skipper, strange to the coast, brought in, under sail, his craft of 189 tons register. If she had been of 300 tons the way in would have been just as safe. At Grey mouth the bar is closed against the exit or entrance of anything larger than a fishing skiff, and at Hokitika the state of the bar is little better. "Westport has certainly a right to expect that the Nelson Executive will try to shake off its apathy and mete out some show of justice and good intent in removing the prejudices now prevailing against the Buller as a port. The fact that a Melbourne craft, moored at the wharf, is unable to discharge cargo because her bills of lading, carried past by a Melbourne steamer, are now detained indefinitely at Hokitika, • should have some weight among Melbourne shippers in obtaining the recognition of the Buller as a necessary port of call for mail steamei s.