CHARLESTON
to open out quarries at Tauranga Bay. The Harbour Board operated the railway until 1920 when the Marine Department took over the Westport Harbour, and the Railway Department took over the Cape Foulwind lines, the capital cost of which was £93,450. In 1924 the Railway Reserve (solely for recreation purposes) at Cape Foulwind was transferred to the Lands Department and vested in the Buller County Council as a Domain.
The Buller bridge formed part of the Cape Railway, and is a combined road and railway bridge. It was constructed by the Westport Harbour Board in 1887 at an original cost of £15,000, which was added to in subsequent years. In 1920 the passenger fare Westport to Cape Foulwind was 9d. single; and to Tauranga Bay 1/- single. In February, 1932, the Government decided that the Cape Railway lines, with the Buller bridge, be handed over to the Marine Department, and that both be operated as part of the Westport Harbour Works. The change-over was effected on 1st April of that year.
The first white settlers at Westport were Reuben Waite and John Martin, both in 1860. Waite was at Collingwood when some Maoris came from the Buller with samples of gold found there, so he, with a man named Rogers, chartered the ketch Jane, Captain Jacobsen, and went to the Buller—Rogers did not stay. Waite states that he took with him ten cats, whose numerous progeny are in evidence to-day. In a later year Jock Graham, of Dunedin, took to the Coast a large shipment of cats which he disposed of at good prices.
la partnership with Saunders, Waite established the first store, the original premises being a Maori whare, or hut. He built and ran one of the first hotels (the “Queen’s Arms” on the Esplanade), started the first ferry to the South Spit, and inaugurated the up-river cargo service. He also had interests in the coastal shipping trade, opened the first store at Greymouth, in July, 1864, and worked up an extensive merchant business thereabouts and at Hokitika, though not opening premises at the latter place.
John Martin erected the first hotel in Westport, the Kawatiri Hotel, in September of 1860. Waite, as stated, opened another, in 1873, and Isaac Blake another, also in 1873,
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