The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 388, 28 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1868.

Even at the risk of being considered tedious in harping on one subject, we cannot forbear from once more bringing forward the importance of securing the advantages of the larger steamers, by providing some means for their tendering, and making the necessary arrangements with the managers of the companies. Only a short time a°-o we drew public attention to the fact that the Waipara. a boat in every way suited to the purpose, could be procured at little or no outlay for the purpose of waiting on the intercolonial steamers if they called at this port, but at that time Westport had no public body to appeal to, and the suggestion, like scores of others, fell unheeded on the public ear. Every one, it is true, heartily coincided in the advisability of such a course, but no one cared to take a leading part in bringing about the consummation so devoutly to be wished There was no one to bell the cat, and the cat remained unbelled in consequence. Since then a happy instalment of change for the better has taken place, and an active, intelligent, and energetic Progress Committee have been chosen, ai-id what is more, have already taken such action as has earned them the best thanks of the inhabitants of Westport, so it is now possible, thanks to their election, that any movement having for its end unquestionable public good, may have a chance of being carried out. The river bank protection and other matters that have already been considered were of course of such importance as to demand precedence, but amongst the next on the list the present subject at least takes a leading position. The owners of the Waipara are willing to make easy terms for the use of their vessel, and have already been in communication with the Panama Company's chief authorities at Wellington, but the latter require some pressure from the people of this place, some kind of assurance, by means of statistics, as to the gold from here, probable passenger or goods traffic, &c, before they finally arrange for their boats to call. More than this, they would require to select a responsible firm as agents, and in this there would be no difficulty amongst the present commercial men of Westport. At the same time, a burnt child, we are told, dreads the fire, and to say the least of it, if rumor only tells half the truth, the Piinama Company have been rather unhappy in their previous Westport connections. Be that as it may, however, there is no doubt that if inducement was offered, they, as well as other intercolonial steamboat companies, would gladly make Westport a port of call, provided that no delay in tendering took place, and that sufficient trade was obtainable to render such a course lucrative. We have shown, time after time, that both these conditions can be fulfilled. The Customs returns alone will prove the export of gold, for is it not reasonable and rational to suppose that banks would prefer direct shipment to half-a dozen risks, and as many charges in different steamers. It is not worth while going over the same old track that we have so often travelled to prove the va'ue of the Westport trade ; facts and figures are stubborn things, and the Committee have them to their hand. That the larger boats calling here would be an advantage to travellers, a gain to merchants, the means of direct and more rapid mail communication, and a vast benefit to the community, are facts that few will ever venture to dispute. That it is desirable to do all in our power to bring about these advantages j

is equally obvious, and it rests with ourselves whether we gain them or not. Iu the first place, the great obstacle in procuring an efficient tender is removed in the Waipara, than which a more efficient little boat does not swim, and the only remaining difficulty is to induce the companies to give the port a trial. On this head we do not think there would be the least trouble if proper representations were made, and these the Progress Committee are fully competent to make. The Panama Company as is well known, have their head-quarters at Wellington. The Chairman of the Progress Committee is now in Nelson, and it has been suggested that in case of his failing to get justice from the Provincial Executive, he should pursue his way to the seat of Government, in order to claim the General Government's interposition. For obvious reasons such an errand would be worse than fruitless, but if the Progress Committee thought well their chairman might run over to Wellington prior to his return, and confer with the chief office of the Panama company, in connection with their boats calling. The outlay would be well repaid, and on the terms chey would demand, the committee here could act in reference to obtaining the services of the Waipara. They would have definite knowledge as the intentions and proportions of the company, and there is very little doubt that iu a few weeks hence, Westport would have all the advantages arising from direct iatercolonial, as well as interprovincial steam communication. Let us hope the committee will prosecute the matter up to its end. If thoy do, thev will only forge another link in the chain of benefits, that they seem desirous of laying the district that elected them under.