THE WEST COAST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4711, 1 August 1893, Page 1

THE WEST COAST.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 31. An influential deputation, representing the west coast of the South Island, waited on the Premier to-day in reference to various matters of importance connected with the west coast. • Sir R. Stout, Mr Guinness and others explained that owing to faults and flooding in the Brunnerton and Coalpitheath mines, hundreds of men had been thrown out of work, and ruin threatened the district by the projected closing down of the Grey Valley Company's mines, so that the Company might work its Westport property. There was believed to be a large area of coal at the back, and there was an area of twenty acres proved, which the Company would work if it was granted .£IOOO remission of royalty upon it. That would mean reducing the royalties on that section 4£d per ton, but from the coal got out of these twenty acres, £4000 in royalties would be earned, and £20,000 would be paid to the railways for haulage. The State, would therefore earn £24,000 by granting: this concession. If nothing was done the Harbour Board's revenue must disappear, and the Government would be seriously affected regarding the £100,000 of debentures which the State had guaranteed, and the £73,000 loan advanced from Government trust funds. The deputation also asked that the Company be allowed to takeout a "pocket" of coal near the river, which Sir James Hector some time ago had said Bhould not be taken, as it might cause the cliff to slip into the river. The Premier declined to allow the pocket to be removed until he had further expert reports, which were expected shortly. He said the Government bad always objected to grants for r respecting on private property. A mistake had been made in allowing the amalgamation of the Grey Valley and Westport mineß, which bad created a monopoly, and the State was unable to step in and interfere. As to the tramway the Government would require' to know whether the £ for £ asked for prospecting was to be an unconditional gift of £1000, or conditional on its expenditure ■on the tramway. The Government would require to know this. Then there was the question of precedent. If the Government did this for one Company, others might ask. There were special circumstances in the case, and Government would have to consider it from all sides. He would obtain information on various points, and the Government would then come to a decision on the matter. The question of constructing a railway to Coalpitheath was introduced by Sir Robert Stout. The leases were held by private Companies, which, in consideration of its construction, would give up part of their leases to the Government, and would guarantee a percentage on the cost of construction. Several speakers urged the necessity of the line for the development of the new field, and it waa suggested that if the Greymouth Harbour Board were allowed to divert the £20,000 balance of its loan fund, it would be able to construct this railway and meet the present difficulty. The Premier said the Companies had held the leases for twenty years and never worked them, therefore the Companies had forfeited all right to consideration from the State, and the Government would do nothing until the land was again in the hands of the Crown. He did not think they could take the cost of the railway from the harbour loan without legislation, and there was only £20,670 left. Mr Guinnesa thought the Company would find half the cost of the railway. Sir B. Stout said if they left it to the Railway Commissioners to work the line they would save the cost of rolling stock. The Premier said if the Companies were reconstructed and were prepared to find a portion of the cost of the line, which must, when finished, be handed over to the Bailway Commissioners, he would recommend its favourable consideration by the Cabinet.