The Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 3310, 27 March 1879, Page 2

The Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

Mb Blair, the Engineer-in-Chief for the Middle Island, was expected to arrive at Hokitika yesterday afternoon from Christchurch, and was, as we are informed, to be interviewed during the evening by the various public bodies on the subject of the overland railway, and other works under his charge of interest to the public of the West Coast. Probably after visiting the Waimea Water-race, Mr Blair will proceed to Greymouth, where he will wait the expected arrival of the Minister of Public Works. During his presence here he will no doubt be desirous to confer with the local authorities on the objects of his visit, the chief of which is, of course, the selection of the route of the railway over the range into the Canterbury Plains ; but there are others of a cognate and almost equal importance to which it would be well if his attention were drawn to them. For instance, the 1 extraordinary anomaly that, whilst the Government is contemplating the commencement of new works, or of expediting those already in progress, its officers here are discharging good workmen, who, of course, will find their way elsewhere. It . does not say much for the vigorous • manner in which the harbor works are being carried on, that within the last week : the number of hands has been reduced by one-half, with so few real workers left that there are ' three officers to one soldier. It would be well if the Borough f Council would call a special meeting for the purpose of appointing a deputation to 1 wait upon Mr Blair in relation to this matter. Already, since the corks have r been carried on with less than the usual speed, there has been an appreciable alteration in the channel, and it is most 3 essential to the coal trade of this port that 1 they should be pushed on without delay.