The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 241, 9 May 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1868.

Some months ago, at a time when Westport had very little gold to send away, and when anything like a trade at the Buller was almost unknown, the Panama Company's steamers were advertised to call here, and on one or two occasions did so. Prom some cause or other, we presume insufficient passengers and freight to pay for the detention, this arrangement ceased, and at the present time the Buller district has no direct communication with any of the norihern New Zealand ports, and only at rare intervals with any one of the provinces, excepting Nelson, Westland, and Wanganui (Wellington). The consequence is that both shippers, consignees, and' passengers have to pay extra freights and extra passage-money, whilst the Panama Company derive no increased revenue whatever. There is a constant stueam of passenger traffic between here and the Australian ports, and a large number of importers would gladly and regularly avail themselves of direct shipments from thereof certain classes of goods, if the steamers called off this port. Much heavy cargo too would come that way, evpn at an increased rate of freight, as mercantile men would, in so fluctuating a market as must always be in connection with the goldfields, 'prefer the certainty of a steamer to the chance quick trip of a sailing vessel. Just as a general matter of policy in order to secure both passage and freight money, the Panama Company would profit vastly. The roadstead is infinitely more sheltered than that of Hokitika, the Steeples forming a natural breakwater against the heavy seas raised by the southerly prevailing winds, whilst the bar can be readily crossed by a steamer of light draught at almost any time of tide, and at least on nineteen days out of twenty. When the boats called formerly there were no means of tendering them with certainty, now there are abundant opportunities either by tugboats or the intercoastal boats. Even if the latter was impossible it would well pay the company to have a tender sent from Hokitika at the time fixed for the larger boats' arrival and despatch, even if it would not answer to station a tender here permanently. What with towage, an occasional trip to the smaller ports, some very pretty pickings could be got in the meantime, and what is more, when the Mokihinui coal mine is opened up a boat could be very well employed in fetching mineral for the larger vessels' consumption. It could be shipped very much cheaper than that at the Grey, and is equal in all respects as fuel. Obviously on these grounds then we assert that it would pay the company to re-establish direct communication with Westport, but there ai*e other inducements that should have still more weight. The yield of gold from the Caledonian, Addison's, and Charleston is steady, and from Westport last month the amount passed through the Customs here was close on 17,000 ounces. As large a monthly return, if not a larger one, may be confidently looked forward to for some months, for reasons that we have repeatedly stated, and which the company could satisfy itself on before taking any action in the matter. Such being the case, a splendid gold freight couid be got up for a monthly vessel, or a very handsome one for a fortnightly service. The banks would greatly prefer direct shipment to the circuitous mode at present necessary, whilst their customers, the miners, would also directly gain in the change. Much of the gold too would be sent home to England direct, instead of, as now, having to undergo transference three times, viz., from here to Hokitika or Nelson, thence in another boat to Melbourne or Sydney, and on again from there either by sailing vessel or via Suea and the P. and O. Company to England. By having steamers to call here a great deal of the Westport gold might be secured for the Panama Company to convey through, whether its ultimate destination was Australia or England. This alone should be a

powerful incentive to the company to pay greater attention to the Westport trade. At present, presuming that gold is to be sent to Eugland, it will pay no less than three freights and three insurances, viz., from here to Hokitika, from Hokitika to Australia, and from Australia to England. The actual saving from direct shipment would be at least one to Hokitika, and if transmitted by Panama Company, the second to Australia. If the expenses incident to the transport of bullion were reduced, the banks could afford to offer just that proportion extra to the miner, and that amount of money would be circulated amongst us instead of being paid away to distant people. On the gold sent away last month some £2OO in round numbers was thrown away by the banks, and of course allowed for by them in purchasing, that might have been saved if the Panama boats called here. This is made up as follows : la round numbers the value of the 17,000 ounces of gold was £68,000 On this at a halfpenny an ounce freight, rather more than £35 was paid, ani in insurance at £ per cent. £l7O further had to be given. This, remember, only took the gold to Hokitika, it then had to be re-shipped, pay fresh freight and insurance just as though it had been the produce of that district. By this course we may remark, enpassant, Hokitika gets credit for the production of a far larger quantity than it is really entitled to. The money thus wasted is a loss to the banks in the first place, and to the miner in the second, and it can be saved if ocean-going steamers only call off the Buller. It should be a question as to whether, for the actual benefit of their customers, it would not pay the banks either to subsidise, or at least to give some guarantee as an inducement, for it is clearly to the advantage of every one but coastal steamboat owners that a change should take place. To recapitulate shortly then. By such arrangement the Panama Company would secure a large and paying traffic in gold, freight, cargo, and passengers, they have a fine roadstead to ride, in, a bar open at all times, a first-class coaling station, and coal of first quality obtainable at an infinitely less cost than any other port on the coast. The banks would have less risk and anxiety, the miner would receive an enhanced price for his gold, the merchant and the trader would have more regular correspondence and better opportunities of procuring goods direct, and in less time from the chief Australian markets; postal arrangements, colonial, European, American, or other—could be conducted more satisfactorily, and in short, every one concerned, whether the public or the Panama Company, would be the gainers. Let us hope that we may succeed in attracting their attention to the subject, and that an arrangement so obviously to the advantage of all parties may be consummated without loss of time.