The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1884.

Westport Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 3276, 5 December 1884, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1884.

The gentlemen whom the Government have chosen to administer the important duties devolving upon the Westport Harbor Board seem determined to set about their work at the earliest possibla date, and in a spirit of the most thorough earnestness—two points upon which they will receive general commendation. It is, indeed, a matter for regret that they are not yet in a position to commence, their duties officially, but there is every reason to say that as soon as the Gazette notice of appointment is published, the Board will be able to get to business and enter upon the exercise of their functions—functions of the highest degree of importance, both to this district and the Colony generally. The gentlemen who compose the Board are, we are sure, fully alive to their grave responsibilities, and they will not forget the vast interests that in so great a measure depend upon the quality and carefulness of their work. With their efforts it will rest, to a large extent, whether the Westport 11 arbor Works—so long sought for—shall be a success or a failure, and this reflection will doubtless spur them to energy and close attention to their duties The first object to which the Board must devote its attention is the obtaining of money. It is calculated that during the first six months of work the sum of £SO 000 wi.l be required j £40,000 for the second ; and £OO,OOO for the third half year. To wait for funds until a loan can be floated would mean long delay—and one which, if escape is at all possible, will not be incurred. Therefore an endeavor will be m:ide to obtain Government assist ance towards raising money in the Colony immediately, and with this a;' his chief purpose, Mr O'Cofor goes to Wellington. Another point upon which -««..!,„„►;.... »t, l, r ,J r .- ; - sary is as to whether it is not possible to obtain from Government sleepers and "rails (of which latter theie is a surplus in the Colony) to the amount of the unexpended balance of £SOOO voted for harbor works last session. Mr o'Co> T OR wi| be in Wellington when the Board is Gazetted and he will then be in a position to push negotiations with the Government upon the matters indicated and others of importance in connection with the duties of the Board. Funds being guaranteed, tlie Board .vii! doubtless set to work : Offices must be en gaged, (. good Secretary appointed, and also an engineer—an important officer whose appointment is subject to Government approval, 'n the prosecution of the Harbor WorKS, Sut Joiix Coodb's well-known plans will of course be foi lowed. This will entail the construction of the railway to Cape Foul wind, to bring stone to the western wall. A Government survey of this line has been made, and it will probably be accepted by the Hoard Then, for the works on the south side of the river, quarries in two different directions are open for selection. At Mine Creek, iNgakawau, over a million tons of suitable stone are available. To work this quarry, an extension of the Ngakawau railway would be requisite, and this obtained would be one step towards ex tension to Mokihinui, from the mines at which place Board revenue will eventually also come. The second quarry, with unlimited supply of stone, is near the Nine Mile crossing, Buller Woad, and to reach this locality the con struction of a railway would be re quired. uch a line would possess the advantages of bringing Westport so much closer to the country centre.--, while the traffic thus produced would increase thfl Board's revenue. Perhaps the Board might find k to its interests to open both quair'es; but,ofcour-e any discussion of this or any other of the proposals indicated would be premature at the present time. In addition to letting railway contracts and preparing for winks in the fiver, plant, such as locomotives, &c, will have to be ordered. Another matter to which the Board will probab'y give early attention is the "relief channel near Snag Falls. By a small expenditure the river could be turned into that channel, and thus any damage threatened I y possible breaking of the river through the Stop-Bank would be entirely averted.