CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1867.

Charleston Argus, Volume 1, Issue 15, 4 May 1867, Page 2

CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1867.

We may consider at last that the Westport and Pakihi tramway is, after various attempts, fairly under way, and there isj every reasonable probability that, in a few! months it will be completed. The original prospectus issued, for reasons which it iJ unnecessary to refer to, has been ignored? in fact by the public, air 1 a meeting was) called at Westport some time back to take further and more vigorous action in the matter. A now committee was then elected comprising, as was most proper, both Westport and Pakihi residents, and as a proof of their activity and earnestness, a letter was written and despatched to the Superintendent within twenty-four hours, asking definitely what support the company might expect from the Government, and stating that the publi*, 0:1 being assured on this head, were prepared at once to commence work. The meeting, we hear, was a large one, and the feeling was most strongv in favor of the scheme b-jin< r

j floated at oiu*e. The cr»ni!iiitto« j , :ui.l very ! wisely to, in our opinion, declined to put j out any prospectus till they li:id something definite to put forward to those wishing to take shares. It is all very well assuming that tlie ( rnverninent would do tliis, that, j or the other; possibly they may, but words j written are more binding than words of j mouth, and those investing capital should j be clearly informed as to the whole details j of an undertaking in which they are about j to embark. When the reply h.ts been received, and a short time should suffice for jthis. the committee will prepare the prospectus, and when sufficient shares are taken j up, a permanent commit,ee will be chosen j by the shareholders to carry out the works. I.since the project was mooted Westport has risen into sudden importance, and | though there is very little doubt that that district has been over rushed, still there c.mnot be a question of good payable auri- ; ferous ground existing in the neighborhood, which will now be opened up, and will probably retain a fair share of population. No one will be hardy or foolish 1 enough to dispute that by the formation of i a line of the kind great advantages would acv rn_* to both places, and that as an in- ! vestment it would prove highly lucrative. ; A few weeks ago the Pakihi was looked j upon as the only, or, at least, the chief source from which capital could be raised to carry it out, but now first-class houses are being established at Westport, and such is the confidence in the success of the | un lertaking that we feel assured the shares ! will readily be subscribed for in all quarters. We may say that the Pakihi people, business men and miners, are almost to a m.ui anxious for the tramway; but within" for a thing does not bring it. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel, and with a long pull, and a strong pull, and a pull altogether, help it along by co-operating lioirtily with th" U'estMnrtian*. Two of u tow i mo-.; w.'te cii'cted iae nbers of the !

<-omiiiittee, and undertook to canvass the I district. They will be round, we presume, as soon as the prospectus is issued. 1 u the meanwhile, let every one make up his mind to take as many shares as possible, and let it be remembered thesis not to be paid for at once, but mvmont will be extended

over some mouths, so that there are few but can meet calls so made. Whilst largely benefiting the Bullcr, the work is also of the moot moment ;ms importance to the Pakihi. At first W estport wis am-1 bitious enough to hope that by means of a tramway she would be advantageously able 10 supply tliis market, and although obliged jto moderate their expectations, there can 1 be 110 question that the facility with which passengers and goods may be conveyed, and the increasing traffic of the districts, the cheap cost of constructing the line, and 1 the absence of any extensive works in the I shape of bridges, &c., but that the trani--1 way will prove a perfect success, and a I source of considerable profit, if carefully managed, to the promoters.