190
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
pensation sections, yet retain and occupy the original selection. Those cases
should be, we think, specially dealt with.

At an early stage of the inquiry it became obvious that the nature and
extent of the relief which we might thereafter respectively recommend must be
governed to a great extent by the present condition and future prospects of this
district.

It must be admitted, we think, that the buildings erected upon the reserve
are, with some exceptions, flimsily constructed, indifferently finished, likely soon to
decay, and are in value greatly overrated. It was admitted by the claimants that, as
a consequence of the diminution in the yield of gold from the alluvial gold fields,
the present inability of Westport to compete satisfactorily with Greymouth for
the Reefton trade, the cessation of public works and consequent public expendi-
ture, together with the limited area of open and available land in the district, trade.
had become stagnant, and the value of town property was reduced to a low ebb; so
the condition of the future would entirely depend upon the development of the
vast mineral resources of the country, the removal of snags from the bed of the
Buller River, an improvement in the communication with the Reefton Gold Field
both by land and water, the construction of protective and other harbour works,
and a railway between the town of Westport and the Mount Rochfort Coal Field.
The uncertainty of an influx of miners to prospect and work the alluvial gold
fields, and the limited operations upon the coal field, were conceded.

It must have been apparent to all that, even assuming your Excellency's
Government were prepared to proceed with the public works referred to, and
to assist in developing ng the coal mine mines, the expenditure of large capital
would be necessary to produce and insure a constant supply of coal; a con-
siderable period of time would be required, not only therefor, but to secure
one or more markets, and in overcoming prejudices which shipowners and
masters would entertain towards a new, and, comparatively speaking, an
unknown port. Whether it would be advisable for the colony to under-
take such works, and to aid in coal mining operations, we do not presume to
offer an opinion: it is enough for us to lay before your Excellency the copious,
interesting, and certainly most valuable evidence we have elicited from witnesses,
books, and other sources upon the subjects referred to, in the belief that it will be
used by your Excellency's Government to the advantage of the people of this
district, and of the colony at large.

Taking into consideration the present condition of Westport, and the
improbability of substantial traders and others entering into improvement
and restrictive clauses, which a long lease of town property should contain,
we are of opinion that, with the sanction of your Excellency, a lease for a reason-
able term, at a nominal rental and upon easy conditions, should be granted to the
claimants, so that, whilst they will receive consideration at the hands of the
Government, the colony will, at no very distant period, be able to derive from the
Reserve a revenue commensurate with the value which possibly will then be
created by the outlay in the neighbourhood in the meantime of large sums of
public money.

We therefore beg to suggest to your Excellency, -

1. That, upon payment of all arrears of rent at the rate of £1 per annum, the
   claimants whose names are included in the first and second subdivisions of A and B
   respectively should be permitted to receive for the allotments claimed by them
   respectively a lease, in the form appended hereto, for the period of seven years, to be
   computed from the 1st day of January, 1876, at the yearly rent of £5 per annum,
   payable half-yearly clear of all rates and taxes.

2. That upon the erection, by the claimants comprised in subdivision 3 of
   each such class, prior to the 1st day of July next, of an approved building of the
   value of £50 upon the allotments claimed by them respectively, and upon payment
   of all arrears of rent at the rate of £1 per annum, they also might be permitted to
   receive a lease for the term, at the rental, in manner, and upon the conditions
   referred to in the last preceding paragraph.

Provided always that the claimants against whose names we have written our
initials shall not be entitled to receive a lease prior to the payment to your