KARAMEA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 230, 28 September 1877, Page 4

KARAMEA.

[Westport Times.] The despatch of the p.s. Result from Westport wiih a full cargo of stores for the Kara-mean settlers is an incident worthy of record, not only as being a gratification and very great convenience to the settlers themselves, who for months past have been enduring life on very short rations, bufc also as being fche commencement of a trade between the two places which will expand with the progress of the settlement, and prove mutually advantageous to trader and consumer. At 10 p.m. on Wednesday the p.s. Result ieft Riley's Wharf, laden with a general cargo of stores put on board by Messrs Sti&fc Brothers, who, placing perfect reliance on the information given that the settlement was bare of provisious, and that the settlers were prepared to trade satisfactorily, did not hesitate in making the venture. Besides their cargo, there were other parcels and goods transhipped from tbe Kennedy, after lying many months in Nelson awaiting a chance of shipment direct thence to Karamea. There was also aboard a doaen live sheep, fat and fleecy, and a full compliment of passengers. The run up was made under favoring circumstances. The Buller Bar was crossed easily, and the sea outside, which for days before had been very rough indeed, had moderated, though there was yet sufficient swell on to test the sea-going capabaiities of the craft, and the sea legs of her passengers. The trip, with a full cargo under hatches, was fche loDgest the Result has made since her return from being refitted at Nelson, and she behaved well, proving herself a staunch and trim vessel. Going under easy steam, so as to make the Karamea bar at morning, tide, she arrived off that river at 7.30 a.m., and crossing the bar without shipping a single sea, although some green curlers tumbled in closely after her in lively style, she made fast to the Karamea wharf at 8 o'clock. Her arrival there was not made the occasion of any demonstrative ovation, the settlers being iu doubt as to the time of the sfcamer's arrival, owing to previous bad weather. Old Tom Castles, doing a morning stroll on the beach was the first to wave his hat in welcome, and as the boat neared the wharf the figure-head of the "Director" was made out, bufc he only remained long enough fco see who waa aboard, and fchen unceremoniously turned tail. Shortly after, Mr Jim Simpson turned up, and with a hearty shake of the hands, welcomed every one to his domicile, where, in a very short time, his worthy spouse had an ample breakfast smoking hot, to which it need scarce be said all hands were ready, after a nighfc at sea to do justice. The arrival of fche boat was most opportune, for Mr Alexander Mackay, the special commissioner sent down to bold enquiry as ;to complaints againsfc the management of the settlement had previously arrived there, and had fixed the opening of the enquiry for 10 a.m. that morning. Thus by the time breakfast had been comfortably discussed, the settlers were gathering from the scattered habitations up river_ some coming in canoes and others through the bush, to give their evidence when needed. The boat at the wharf was a cheery^ sight to them. Ifc was good to see the gladsome smiles that beamed on each man's countenance as he at last saw a chance of replenishm**bia attenuated household stores. With all possible despatch the cargo was got ashore and into a small store built afc fche end of the wharf, end bulk was soon broken. The first enquires were as naturally would be the case, as to prices, an impression haviug been industriously circulated that Westport prices were no lower (ban those current at the Karamea. This was soon satisfactorily cleared up and brisk trade ensued. Towards afternoon many of the wives of the settlers came down and they above all others enjoyed the unwonted pleasure of an afternoon's shopping. Before the sun had goDe down tbat night a good portion of the stores had been disposed of, and the settlers had gone on tbeir way rejoicing. It was a new and <omforting experience to them to buy (heir household stores in good order and condiiion, good also in quality, and at pric-s to which, in moderation, they had long been ucused. Better still to get each man his invoice ia usual trade system, showing the quantity and cost of each item of Ms purchases. Neglect .of tbis usual custom having boen oue of the most fruitful causes of complaint against previous trade transactions on the settlement. Contemplation of the briek trade doiog was as wortnwoo.J and pail to the 'tother aiders, ycleped, ia local parlance as u Old Death and his crew," but this little concerned anyone but themselves, seeing such a varied assortment of goods for sale aud knowing how bare were the shelves in their own store they, iusteod of making a straight deal, sent out emissaries to purchase ou their behalf, and getting hold in this wise of a bag of sugar or two humped the same across the way for future retailing at a good profit on original cost, an incident only worth mentioning as showing the straits to which they were driven by their neglect to keep anything like a decent assortment of supplies on hand. On this subject there is no need to further dilate; the Stores "ex Result " were disposed of satisfactorily to tbe enterprising importers, and the countenances of the purchasers beamed with measureless centeafe

| The unwonted event of a ship in port was celebrated by a taste of grog, an unaccustomed luxury to the Karamean settlers, but to their credit be it said they did their spiriting gently. The only sound of disturbance arose from two implueive individuals who sipped and fought, and made fast friends again. At 10 a.m. the court of enquiry opened, Mr Alexander Mackay being installed in a building litfcle" larger than a 6 x 8 tent and which aforetime had served as a survey office, but which of late had been a depository for sheep skins and other unconsidered trifles. Cleared oui and furnished with a table two chairs and an ill conditioned stretcher it was the bravest show tbat could be made of official furniture Here sat the Commissioner and with him the Director of the Settlement, and seeing this combination, which to them, in their un»cquaiotance with the Commissioner, appeared ominous, tbe settlers were chary of giving their evidence. After consultation they requested a spokesman fco go and, in the presence of the Direotor, ask that they might be permitted to give their evidence to the Commissioner alone, and that tbe "Director" as an interested party should be instructed to give his evidence thereafter. The reason for this was evident, the men were afraid tbat in making their complaints in the presence of oue they looked upon as tbeir adversary it would (ell against them io any after distribution of work upon the securing of which they depended for the supply of necessaries, housahold stores for themselves and families. The application was made and the case stated, but, as was clearly explained by the Commissioner it was not possible to dispense with the prosence of the Director. The whole enquiry rested on slatsments impugning the management of the Settlement aod which could only be proved or disproved by reference to the individual accounts between each settler and the Government store. Hence as the person in charge of the books of account, and asyet manager of tbe Settlement, the presence of the " Director" was needful. As to tho result present or prospective of fche enquiry it would be manifestly unfair to anticipate the report of tbe Commissioner by an impprfect resume of the procedings. When the p.s. Result left on Saturday morning the labors of the Commission were only about ba!f concluded. It is however permissible to stale the difficulties attendant the unravelliiog the minutiae of details in the management of the settlement. Control first and last has been entrusted to several managers, with more or less undivided power. Afc the commencement the details of the management appear to have been experimental, and did uot eventuate in success. As time passed difficulties and entanglements increased; there appears to have been at no time in the history of the Settlement any clear beaded controlling power tbat would or could reduce confusion to order. The whole monetary and administrative affairs of the Settlement have been tangled, and the inevitable consequences have arisen. Doubt, suspicion, and mistrust prevailing has culminated in a discontent merging closely on rebellion. The relations between the director and the Settlers have gone to .the extreme of antagonism and following close upon is a very manifest feeling of jealousy among the settlers themselves. There has been nothing open and straightforward in the management of tbe Settlement or in the disbursement of work ; the settlers, iosolated in the bush, have had few opportunities of meeting in neighbourly communion, aad have hence too often "imagined vain things" and have brooded over fancied grievances which had a more business like .control prevailed would have never ensued. In short, they have never known clearly what their earnings were, nor the earning of their neighbours, they have never known within some few pounds what their cost of living. _has been, nor have they known whether the means to obtain such living has been equitably apportioned between the one head of a family and the other. Thus their trouble, thus their doubts, suspicions, jealousies, and misgivings. To unravel thia complication of contending interests, to lay before the Government, succinctly and impartially, a ihistory of the Settlement in the past, to report on its preseut aspect, and io make practical suggestions for its future better management is the duty the Commissioner has undertaken. The Government could scarcely have chosen a more impassively imperfcial Commissioner than Mr Alexander Mackey. Coming as a stranger emong the Karameans, and accompanied in his peregrinations through the Settlement by the Director, hovering closely .as a shadow, it will rouse little course for wonder that fche settlers, grown distrustful from long habit, were dubious as to the bona fides of the enquiry, and that in their outspoken bluntness they were not slow to express their sentiments that fche affair would be bufc a sham, It is a source of congratulation to be able to state that good counsel and explanation has prevailed and that at least the major portion of them are content, haviug given their evidence freely, to await in confidence the issue, of their memorial to the Government, albeit there are a few who, loudest in their protestations of wrong and most anxious to memorialise, have yet the least course for complaint. The enquiry, expanded in poiufc of fact to an inspection of each memorialist's

account in detail, has showed this. Unfortunately for the immediate result of the enquiry the original accounts of the Settlement were not available. These on some previous occasion had been sent to Nelson, and there had been compiled therefrom a ledger, written out in fair round hand, and sent back to the settlement, and which during the enquiry waa the, only book of reference. The Commissioner, before hia labors are concluded, will find it imperative to unravel from the books now afc Nelson a good many perplexing items.