IMPROVEMENT OF THE PORT OF GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4201, 7 September 1874, Page 3

IMPROVEMENT OF THE PORT OF GREYMOUTH.

It has already been reported that a deputation from Gx-eymoyth had waited" upon the Minister for Public Works and the Premier, for the purpose of representing the necessity for extended harbor works at Greymouth, and of urging upon the Government the propriety of such works being early undertaken. It was agreed between the Minister for Public Works and the deputation that a written memorandum of the representations made should be submitted, and this was accordingly done by the deputation on Saturday. The memorandum was to the following effect : “Wellington, 4th September, 1874. “Sik, —Wo have the honor to request the attention of the Government to the present position of the port of the River Grey in reference to the development of the extensive mines of steam coal of high quality which exist on both banks of that river within a few miles of its mouth. “ The railway which is now in course of construction will bring the produce of the mines to Greymouth ; but in the present state of the river, which precludes the entrance of vessels drawing more than about eight feet of water, the large quantities of coal which the two Companies whose mines are already in working order are prepared to deliver—probably not less than 200,000 tons per annum—cannot be provided with sufficient tonnage to take them quickly or economically to the different markets of this and the neighboi-ing Colonies. “The inhabitants of Gx-eymoutb, fearing that the engineering staff of the Colony would be too much occxxpied in the superintendence of other works to give early attention to the subject, have obtained the services of Mr. Moriarty, M.A., M.1.C.E., whose report upon the best means of adapting the port of the Grey for the admission of vessels of larger tonnage has already been placed in yoxxr hands. “ From what has passed at the interviews with which we have been favored by the Hon. the Premier and yourself, we understand that the Government do not dissent from the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Moriarty as to the nature of the works required for the improvement of the port, and that, those conclusions are, in fact, almost identical with the opinions previously expressed by the Colonial Engineers. “We are further satisfied that the Government are fully impressed with the importance, in the interests of the Colony, of affording facilities for the working of mines which will give employment to a large number of people, and at the same time put a stop to the present needless efflux of capital for the purchase of a commodity which exists in such abundance within our own boundaries. “ Without unduly recapitulating facts which are already in the knowledge of the Government, we may perhaps be allowed hereby to remind the Government that the quality of the coal has been proved by numerous teats to be almost unsurpassed—that it exists in contiguity to the River Grey in almost unlimited quantity, and that, to quote the report of Mr. Blackett, C.E., and Dr. Hector (9d 6b Appendix to Journals of House of Representatives, 1871) peculiar facilities obtain at Greymouth for the formation of a permanent harbor. The report says, 1 We are of opinion that it is x-arely that any bar harbor presents such favorable conditions for the successful construction of permanent harbor works.’ To this we may add that the coal seams have been lately proved to extend nox-thwairds along the west flank of the Moxxnt Day range for a distance of ten miles, thus rendering the construction of an available * port of still further service. “We are aware that the Government have

not received the authority of Parliament for the construction of the extensive works which are required for this purpose, hut we trust that you will favor us with some intimation of the intentions of the Government in the future, in order that persons who have invested and who are willing to invest capital in the mines, and in the purchase of steam colliers and other suitable vessels,-may be-in a position to judge whether they can depend upon the means being afforded them of transporting the produce of those mines to the various ports of Jiew Zealand, the Australian Colonies, and elsewhere. “ ilespectfully requesting that you will favor us with a reply as early as is convenient, “We have the honor to remain, “ Your obedient servants, (Signed) “ Oswald Crams “Jas. A. Bonau “H. H. Bauman “W. H. Haebison “W. S. Smith “ Maetin Kennedy “ Edwaed Wickes “ G. W. Moss “ B. J. Johnston “ W. M. Cooper. “ To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works.” To this memorandum the Minister for Public Works gave a written reply. The following is a copy of the letter, with the exception of the usual formal opening paragraph, in which the business of the deputation is set forth : “ I have the honor now to state that the Government have always intended to cany out such works as may be necessary for the improvement of the port to. facilitate the shipment of coal from Greymouth. “ That the plan at first decided upon has been strictly adhered to, and the Engineer-in-Chief informs me that he sees no reason to alter his views in regard to what is necessary to be done to effect the above object. “ That it is intended to expend during the next twelve months an additional vote of £IO,OOO, taken during last session, in still further carrying out the plans already decided upon. “ That, acting on the advice of the Engineer-in-Chief, the Government will be prepared to recommend to the General Assembly, at its next session, such further appropriation as may be considered necessary to carry out the plans for the further improvement of the harbor. That'such recommendation will be accompanied by some proposition as to the fairer appropriation of the shipment and harbor dues of the port. “To enable them to do so, the Government will 'continue to give the closest attention to the' subject, so that they may be in a position before next session to ascertain to what extent it will be advisable thou to ask for further grants. -> , “Edwaed Bichaedson.”