WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH OUR POET.

West Coast Times, Issue 599, 26 August 1867, Page 2

WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH OUR POET.

TO THE EDITOB OP THE WE3T COAST TIMES.

Sm — I was glad to notice iv several of the late issues of your paper, certain remarks upon that all-important question port improvements and the present state of the channel, which Captain Brown very pertinently alludes to in a letter published in Friday morning's paper. The port has indeed been sadly neglected by the Government, and unless something is very soon done for its improvement, Hokitika, which has hitherto held first place, will sink into insignificance, and Wesfcporfc will reign in its stead as the emporium of the West Coast. Wo already feel the effect of this neglect on tho part of Canterbury rulers, as nearly tho whole of the coasting trade is diverted to fcho Buller. The many coasting steamers which once made Hokifcika their port of call have deserted ifc for the moro commodious harbor of Wesfcport, soley on account of the dangerous condition to which the entrance to this port lias been reduced of late, by nothing more or less than the neglect of the Government. You remember, Mr Editor, how warmly the question was taken up by the public nearly twenty months ago, and hotv ifc was nipped in the bud by the scandalous apaty of the powers that then were. Since then the peculiar formation of the port in which lay its security, has undergone an extraordinary change, which might, have be3ii prevented hud the proposed extension of tho wharf several chains downwards been carried out. That was nofc done, and hence the present condition of affairs. What has become of the large lucrative trade that we did with Fox's and Pakihi six mouths ago ? Ifc has been absorbed by tho Buller, simply because the storekeeper were unable to obtain their feup.lies from Hokitika, tho bar being closed. They were loth to leave us, having been well and truly served, but the alternative was unavoidable. This transfer of custom at first caused some inconvenience to the Wesfcporfc merchants, who were nofc prepared to meet such a sudden increase in the demands upon their stocks. The difficulty was, however, soon remedied by an application to the Melbourne market, which since then has been the Buller's source of supply. Four hundred tons of goods, the most of them dutiable, wore despatched in the Nightingale, which hastily discharged, aud is again in Melbourne loading up for the same port. Other vessels are laid on to follow, and thus it is that Nelson is filching a large portion of the revenue that once found its way into Cantcrbui'y coffers.

Is it possible that our Government is not aware of this startling fact, or does it wilfully blink tho subject. It really seems as if the ruin of this port was desired, so systematically has it been neglectqd ; and now when a most favorable opportunity of restoring it to something like its old excellence is available nobody seems inclined to take advantage of ifc. An expenditure of a sum, certainly not in excess of LIOOO, would efftcfc the desired alteration, as nothing moro is required than to close fcho south channel, and .so cause the whole of tho river water to flow through tho north channel. This might bo done by throwing a strong dam of bags of sand across the shallowest part of tho south outlet, wliich gives nnmistakeable indications of closing up entirely. I believo that if the outflow from tho lagoon was stopped for twenty-four, hours only that the south spifc would bo flung right home upon the middle bank, and so the desired result would bo obtained. Why don't the authorities undertake this simple and inexpensive work instead of wasting their time and the very Bcanty funds of tho district in the construction of those queer looking affairs on tho North Beach, which to mo seem iutonded for no other purpose than to pick up any unfor» fcunatc vessel that may drive ashore there and convert her into match wood. Then fcho Government would have the supreme satisfaction of seeing tons upon tons of cargo strewn along the beach to tho ruin probably of some poor uninsured consignee. This is rather a long letter, Mr Editor, but I liQpo you will find i"POm for it, and oblige Youra, &0., wkkkam Fjsksb,