Page:Charleston • Irwin Faris • (1941).pdf/104



ROM Charleston’s earliest days the Buller, or Kawatiri, river was that town’s port of supply, notwithstanding the sea-borne traffic to Little Beach, Constant Bay and the Nile River.

The opening of the beach-route, in 1867, resulted in regular and heavy road-traffic, both in passengers and goods, from South Spit to Charleston, and the opening of the Addison’s Flat Road in 1874 resulted in greatly increased traffic.

Originally Charleston overshadowed Westport, both in wealth and population. On 25th October, 1867, about fourteen months after Charleston’s birth, Commissioner Kynnersley quoted its population as being 3,200, and Westport’s as 1,500. The Charleston Argus of 12th April, 1867, spoke of “the new Buller rush.” Only a few years were required to reverse the position; for while Charleston faded away, Westport grew, owing to resources more lasting than gold returns―its harbour, its fertile back-country, and its immense supplies of coal and timber. Its people realised the importance of the port and spared no expense in improving it, to a degree that in early days would have appeared to be a fantastic dream had any one suggested the possibility. Thus “the Buller” became as an elder brother to Charleston; and a visit to Westport was spoken of as “going to town.” The population of Westport to-day numbers thousands, while Charleston’s is in the twenties.

Of the old town, or “First Township,” of Westport, on the North Spit of the Buller, little remains; the river runs over much of its site, and vessels sail where once were busy