The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 370, 7 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1868.

It is quite certain, that if the people ( f this district expect to have their almost bouudles, coal wealth developed, they must at least take the initiative themselves, and we entirely concur in the remarks made by a correspondent in. Monday,s issue, in which he practically recommends the inhabitants of Westport, to put their own shoulders to the wheel, and thereby themselves,

give an impetus to their interests. We have previosuly stated, and we repeat the statement, that however large the capital required may be, it is procurable without any great difficulty, provided anything like good interest, and some tangible security is offered in return. That this can be done the first survey of Mr Burnett and the discoveries he then made, the value ofthe Ecchfort coal, as tested at Woolwich, the illniitable quantity, as testified to by Mr Wrigg on his lato survey, and shown in his gazetted report, abundantly proves, but still there are difficulties to be cleared away, or rather information and pledges, on the part of the Government, to be obtaiued before anything like a definite scheme can be laid down fairly before the money holding speculator. Capitalists do not care to have the least trouble about their investments, and anything, in which the slightest legal flaw is perceptible or can be suspected, is at once tabooed, and looked at no more. As the coal is here, as the port is open, and aready market is offered for all raised, it might be supposed, at the first blush, that the trouble was at an end, but such is by no means the case. Before a scheme could have a hope of success, its promoters must be prepared, not only with regard to the

quantity and quality of the mineral, its accessibility and so forth, but still more minutely with the area that would be granted, the terms of lease, the title that a company would hold it under ; here at present is where great doubts exist that must be cleared away before anything else can be done. At the present moment there are many sleeping Ilichmonds in the field, if we are correctly informed, all of whom have had certain leases, or promises of leases given, and who therefore may start up at any moment, if a company is formed, and demand '"compensation" for surrendering their real or supposititious privileges. The first thing is to ascertain wHat leases, privileges, or grants, if any, have been made, and to whom. After that to enquire of the G-overnment what eucouragement'they would afford, what land they would lease, and the conditions of such leases, and, at the same time, procure an undertaking of the most definite nature as to the fulfilment of those terms, provided on the other hand, all their stipulations were strictly carried out. The fullest information, in fact the most unassailable programme that can be produced is absolutely indispensable to the success of any undertaking, and to gather this and lay it out in such form as is required, must be a work both of some time, and a little expense. It is .lowever, a simple matter after all, and one that requires nothing but a little ordinary business ability, and a good deal of persistent industry. That the labor would be handsomely, nay, munificiently rewarded, there is nofca doubt for if our coalfields are once opeued, and this would be a certain preliminary to a new era, dull times would be unknown in Westport, and this town would assume the position that the permanent practicability of its bar entitles it to, in conjunction with the rapidly developing goldfields in its neighbourhood. The coal would be as valuable as the gold, and, conjointly, the industries would raise the district to the highest standard of prosperity. This requires no labouring to prove,. it must be obvious that such must be the case to the most unreflecting. It is very certain that some one must undertake the preliminary work we have briefly sketched out. and it is equally

sure that till this is the case, the mine of wealth that now goes begging must remain useless and waste. Attempts have heen unsuccessfully made to form public bodies, whose duties it would have been to execute these trusts, but iu their absence the next question comes, will the leading business men of the place exert themselves in a matter of such vital consequence to all. If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain. Capital will not throw itself into the place without invitation and without inducement, and with such a substantial lure as this district possesses, delay in displaying it is only another name for folly of the most egregious kiud. There is no doubt that scarcely five per cent of the capital could be obtained in the locality, but its being obtained elsewhere is unquestionable. It is hopeless to expect anything from public meetings in Westport, but a few associated business men could, without difficulty, form themselves into a committee to carry out the investigations necessary, and as suggested by the correspondent previously referred to, submit the result of their enquiries, when concluded, to public meetings here aud elsewhere, and invite co-operation and assistance from those known to be able to render it. Half a dozen men of the town would suffice to set the ball rolling at all events. The way to something more might be cleared by their efforts, when others would join, and no doubt bring matters to a fortunate issue. Let this appeal be not in vain, and let us venture to hope that a few energetic men will inaugurate proceedings in a work which, if accomplished, will render Westport one of the most flourishing and prosperous towns in New Zealand, will incalculably enhance the value of its property, and increase the extent of its trade to a degree that few now even dream of.