Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/214

170 circular saw for cutting up iron cold. A West Coast foundry has the advantage of cheap coals and coke. The very best coals adapted for their purposes are supplied at 8s. per ton and ditto coke 20s. This, in a measure, gives it an advantage over a foundry that is some distance from a coal supply. The business is kept going by orders from Ross and Hokitika in the south, Westport in the north, the reefs and mining claims inland, and the three local coal mines. Shipping business is almost nil, as vessels trading to larger ports keep their work for these ports; they imagine they get the work done cheaper. Agricultural business is also nil, and will remain so till farming business is opened up. It is contemplated to establish a Harbour Board, which will again push on the harbour works. They have been at a standstill for a considerable time, thus entailing a serious falling off in the foundry business, as the jobs from these works and the quarry, while in working order, amounted to a considerable sum.

Saw-mills are established throughout the Grey Valley district in like manner to the Westland district, though the quantity of timber exported has been small in comparison, the mills being employed in supplying local requirements only.