WESTPORT HARBOR WORKS.

Press, Issue XLI, 25 February 1885, Page 6

WESTPORT HARBOR WORKS.

' WESTPOBT, Pebruary 2. ', The Premier and party arrived last night. The Hon. Mr Stout, at eleven o'clock this morning, laid the first stone of the harbor works. In his speech on the occasion, he pointed to the great future before this district because of its mineral resources, and predicted that Westport would eventually become one of the foremost cities of New Zealand. He reminded the people of their individual responsibility in building up a great and united t nation. The Hon. Mr Larnach also ? sdoleg* c Avery successful banquet was held at '•> Gilmer's Hotel this evening to celebrate 1 the laying of the first stone of the West- - port harbor works. There was a numerous fc attendance, including visitors from all * parte of the districts. The Hons. B. Stout - and Larnach, Mr W. N. Blair, Messrs 5 Levistam and Menteath, M.H.B. s, and > other strangers were amongst the guests. t- Mr O'Conor, M.H.E., was in the chair. c After dinner and the usual formal toasts, n the Chatbhan proposed the toast of " The c Ministry," coupled with the names of the c Premier and Mr Larnach. He spoke of the t many reasons thw coast has to be i I proud of the present Ministry, and d I went on to speak of the Premier's career m New Zealand. When Mr Stout was a humble schoolmaster, the speaker (Mr O'Conor) was a cabman in Dunedin. dealt with his subsequent career, whioh was wholly due to hia superior leading powers and qualities of mini He then spoke of Sir Julius Vogel, whom he first knew as a stationer in Maryborough. There was nothing upstart about the Government, but an evident patriotism running through every one of them. ahe destinies of New Zealand required to be placed in the hands of such men, who were pushed forward solely by their own mtellectual altitude, not those who pushed forward by monetary influence. He continued eulogising the Ministry and their conduct with respect to the Westport Harbor BilL Mr Stotjt, in an excellent speech, returned thanks for the hearty manner in which the toast was drunk, and also for the touch of personal history given by Mr O'Conor. His experience as a schoolmaster might him to better carry out Ms-duty 1 as' Minister of Education. Referring to the laying of the first stone of the harbor works, he was then doing something to build up the colony. He showed how the coal trade affected the many industries of the colony, as the civilization I of the world depended upon coaL They had to look to Greymouth and Westport to give such an impetus to trade as to make New Zealand a great nation. He did not enter into party politics, but pointed out the exceptional|circumstanceß under which his Ministry took ofiioe, their point then being to restore confidence to the colony, and give people hope in the future, feeling sure if theydid their best that people would give them sympathy and aid. Amongst their measures were the Westport and Greymouth Harbor Bill, to encourage and stimulate enterprise. He then alluded to the measures of social reform, such as the Married Women's Property Act passed by the Government. After referring to the Hinemoa mystery, and explaining what the intentions of the Government really were, Mr Stout said his visit to this part of the Coast was to gain information and to enable the Government to submit next Bession a more complete scheme of reduction in Government expenditure than any Ministry had ever brought forward after such a short term of office. It was impossible to carry on the system of local government now in vogue, and when Parliament met hia Government would, submit some reform which would make local government more economical and useful. He concluded by speaking of the duty of colonists to the country so as to act towards the State as if it were their very selves. The Premier's speech was brief and happy. Mr Motntban, solicitor, proposed "The Parliament of New Zewland." He alluded to its superiority, and dealt with the Harbor Bill passed by them, and spoke of the East and West Coast Bailway scheme, whioh he recommended to the support of the Westport people. The toast was. coupled with the names of Mr Levestam and Mr Menteath. Mr Levestam, M.H.R. for Nelson City, replied, alluding to the difficult duties of members. The good status of the New Zealand Parliament was due to people in electing men whom they were sure would not disgrace them. He referred to the Nelson and East and West Coast Railway, which would benefit not only Nelson and Westport but the whole of the colony. He spoke at length on the Bubject. Mr Menteath, MH.E. for Inangahua, also responded, referring to the arduous and laborious work of members, especially under the active lead of the present Ministry. One of the hallucinations of members was that nothing good could come out of the West Coast. This should soon be swept away. With works such as those of to-day the West Coast would become the heart of New Zealand. To coal New Zealand in future looks for her prosperity. He dwelt on the gold-mining industry, showing that moneys lost in it was not ' spent in industry,ibut in speculation. The dividends paid showed a balance over calls. rMr Levestam here read a telegram from Mr Thomas Field, of Nelson, an old Westport resident, congratulating the people of the district upon the auspicious occasion.] Mr Haselden, solicitor, proposed " The -]MPTP"g Industry," coupled with the name of Mr Larnach. He spoke of the great value of gold and coal mining mdustriee to the colony, and also showed that agriculture on a limited extent would pay on this coast. Mr Labhach responded. From the earliest discovery of gold in Australia he had taken an interest in it, being in Melbourne at its discovery in 1851, and he worked at it then for four months. As Bank Manager also for twenty-four years he had been brought into contact with the mining industry, and had gained practical knowledge. Gold had driven these colonies fifty years ahead of what they would otherwise have been. It had brought a large body of enterprising, daring, and honest men to the colony. He referred to the Ministerial measures to encourage mining— among thenvto the East and West Coast railway, which will run through mineral and metal country, to the Westport Harbor BQI for the opening of the harbor, which would bring suoh a population to

this district as they could not now picture. There was also silver in this district, and the great work to be undertaken by the Government would be to open up all these industries. He complimented Mr O'Conor for his exertions respecting the Westport Harbor Bill. They had to thank him for it. The harbor scheme was the greatest work the colony ever did, but the coal harbors .would have to be fortified. The matter of defences must be taken in hand sooner or later. He did not think the position of Minister of Mines really required an expert, but a man of common sense, and one not afraid of work, and determined to inquire into details. Hia present visit was for that purpose. Mr Munbo, ex-M.H.8., proposed " Our Guests," claiming credit for inaugurating the harbor scheme. He referred in the warmest terms to Judge Broad, who had an unimpeachable reputation on the judicial bench; to Mr Blair, whose literary

coairiuuuuaa on uiuusunea were oi greet" value; to Mr Brennan, who had done some great work under the county system. Judge Broad, Mr Blair (Engineer-in-Chief), Mr Brennan (Inangahua County Chairman) suitably responded. Mr Stout proposed " Success to Westport Harbor." He told of hb first visit to Weßtport eleven years ago. The place wa3 then [living on " what was going to happen." But he hoped they would now soon see their hopes realised. He spoke in complimentary terms of the Harbor Board, and stated that in Mr Bell j they had a Government engineer second

colonies. Hia integrity and abilities could not be properly estimated on account of his excessive modesty. Messrs Hughes, Sinßted, Bailie, Powell, O'Connor, members of the Board, replied. Mr O'Connor recognised that the colony had placed the Harbor Board on its trial. Mr Mttnbon proposed " Commercial and shipping intereats/'which was responded to by Mr Bailie (Union and Anchor Com|panie3), Mr Powell Holdsworth (Black Diamond Line), Mr Jameson (Westport

Coal Company.) The Chaibman proposed " The Province of Nelson," coupled with the name of Mi Greenfield, Commissioner of Crown Lands Mr Gbeenfteld replied.

or C. Napier Bell, Engineer of the Harbo: Board. Mr Bell responded. , toasts were unimportant, and she proceedings terminated.