NELSON PROGRESS.

Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 597, 14 July 1863, Page 7

NELSON PROGRESS.

It may be interesting to our readers to learn what is being done by our Nelson neighbors in reference to the mineral resources of the West Coast, and a perusal of this article will satisfy them, that they are not only fully alive to the importance of the subject, but also, that they are taking most energetic measures.for bringing these treasures into practical utility. And first with regard to the coal fields on the Grey and Buller. [The Standard here quotes some paragraphs from the Superintendent's speech, respecting the arrangements made for surveying the various coal fields, with the view of their being opened up, and then proceeds,) Now it will be observed, not only that the utmost desire exists on the part of the Nelson government to develop the Grey and Buller coal fields, but also, that they are in fact taking the very course lately adopted by our own government, in making a large reserve, which is to be administered under the directions of the Provincial Council. It will be seen, too, that the reserve thus made has been sanctioned by the General Government, who have, moreover, assented to a loan of £50,000, which is to be specially applied in aid of enterprise bearing upon the coal fields. The example thus set to us will, we hope, do away with much of the senseless opposition to the proposed reserve in our own province, more particularly when, in our instance, the entire capital to be devoted to the concern, is to be raised by private enterprise. . But it is not only thus that our neighbors are contributing their activity and zeal in regard to the West Coast country. In every direction the block of wooded mountainous country to the westward of the old settled districts, is being explored with a view to the formation of suitable roads. Hear the Superintendent again on this point. [Our contemporary makes a long quotation from the address, on road-making and explorations, which quotation includes the following paragraph :J —

(From the Canterbury Standard, June 9.J

The weans of communicating inland between the town of Nelson and the West Coast districts stand then thus:—The northern part can be reached by Collingwood and the Aorere valley; the southern, by the Wairau Gorge, the Hanmer Plain, and valleys tributary to the Wai-au-au and Grey rivers; whilst the centre will be accessible in a few weeks at several points through the Wangapeka pass. Nor am I altogether without hope that a road- by the Buller valley itself, will be found available, by die Provincial Engineer's careful and laborious examination, which, already, has overcome one of the great difficulties of the line.

It cannot be denied that these proceedings, if confined even to what is here stated, are most creditable to a government, having only £43,000 available for public works during the current year. It is true the Nelson province possesses the most competent and energetic explorers in the whole colony. Such men as Brunner, Eochfort, Blackett, Mackay, Burnett, and Skeet, are men of the very highest value in such a country as the western parts of this island, and the ease with which they travel through extensive and densely wooded mountain tracts, laying down, as they progress, useful lines of road, is really marvellous. We must confess that we should like to see our government taking somewhat similar steps. We should like to see a good bridle road at once made from Taylor's station into the Grey district, for we feel assured that its importance to this part of the province is as yet much underrated.