WESTPORT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 838, 23 March 1888, Page 31

WESTPORT.

[by telegraph.]

[from our own correspondent.] Westport, March 15.

The weather all along the coast shows no sign of improvement. The steamer Kennedy leaving here last night could not cross the Hokitika bar to-day. The Mahiuapua and Charles Edward are in the roadstead, and will get in to-night. A crowded public meeting was held this afternoon in connection with the stoppage of the Buller-road. Strong resolutions were passed calling upon the Government to undertake the repair of the road, as the impecunious state of the County Council will not allow them to do so, and it was agreed to send a deputation to Wellington, consisting of Messrs Reeves and O'Conor, M-R-R-’b: Suisted, Mayor.-; and Wilson, County Chairman, to urge the matter upon the attention of the Government. Information has since been received from Mr Richardson, acting for Minister of Public Works, to the effect that they have the mat er under consideration, and are obtaining information.

In reply to a letter of the Harbor Board members, referred to in yesterday’s telegram, the Borough Council informed the members that they declined to interfere between the Minister and the Board. An amendment asking him not to resign was supported by the mover and seconder only. The recent damage in this distriot has excited wide interest, A cable message was re*.

cfcived from Brisbane to-day inquiring as to the safety of friends. Westport, March 19. A definffe nnsithm lias now been taken up bv aev ml nrnnbers <>f the Harbor Board. At- a mi'etinu t->-day Mr O'Oonor and others stated thac they would not resign. Further deveionnier.ts a>e awaited with interest. A sounding taken on the bar to-day showed 17ft of water. The steamer Ohan is coming on here from Greymoutb, and will take a big load. Government intend substituting a twomonthly steam mail service between Karamea and Westport for the present monthly service. The new Buller bridge shows no ill effects from the recent heavy floods. The breakwater is uninjured. No decision has yet been come to by the Government with respect to repairing the Buffer road. Westport, March 20. In view probably of the institution of the contract system at Cape Foulwind quarries, n laborers’ union was formed there last night. A large meeting of workmen was addressed by Mr John Loma9, Pressident of the Den - niston branch of the Amalgamated Minors Union. ■ Mr Snisted (Mayor), and Mr Wilson (the County Chairman) left for Wellington this afternoon with Mr Reeves, M.H. R# xhey will deputationise the Ministers as to the Buller road. * The difficulty of the Westport Coal Company in the matter of the hanlage of their mine, which has prevailed since the substitu : tion of a wire rope for the chain, at of last year, is to be now surmounted. The chain clips are working splendidly, and a great increase in the output is confidently anticipated. Rainy weather still continues.