WESTPORT HARBOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 April 1944, Page 4

WESTPORT HARBOUR

INSPECTION BY MINISTER URGED Westport, April 13. The Westport Borough Council is again pressing the Hon. J. O’Brien, Minister of Marine, to inspect the Westport Harbour, which has been allowed to deteriorate by the growth of a large shingle and sand bank immediately above and also below the Buffer bridge. It has been pointed out that since the Government abolished the Harbour Board it has held over the board’s valuable endowments, which included sixpence a ton royalty on all coal from the old mines, and one shilling royalty on all new mines; also the net revenue on the Westport-Mokihinui railway, which, in the harbour board’s days, was the best paying line in New Zealand; rentals of all sections on the west side of Palmerston street, the main street of the town, and the harbour berthing fees. It has also been stated that a move is being made to develop the great field of cc-al at Charleston, 17 miles from Westport, with an immense field lying beyond at Four Mile and Brighton, and that all this coal must be shipped at Westport; therefore the harbour must be kept up to date. The Hon. P. C. Webb. Minister of Mines, is due at the week-end to inspect the Charleston coalfield and discuss a plan of operations.—P A.