WIVES OF KARAMEA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 4

WIVES OF KARAMEA

TRAMP THIRTY-SIX MIRES. CHILD HELD ON A PONY. "During nly tour of the West Coast,” stated tlie lion. I’ 1 . M. D. Fisher to a "Times” reporter yesterday, “I visited the somewhat inaccessible district of Karamea. I got the train at 7in the morning at Westport, and twf> hours later left Seddouvilio on horseback to cover the thirty-six mites to Karamea. One incident ill that Journey is worth recounting, because it gives an illustration Of the hardships that some of our settlors have to Undergo even at the present day. "After covering some fifteen miles of the Journey on horseback, I encountered a small party of three wo-men—wiv-es of Karamea settlers—-who wore making their way to Scddonville. Those three women were carrying their swags, were walking tho whole distance of thirty-six miles, and accompanying them was a child of throe years of age, which was held on tho hack of a small pony by each of tho three women in turn, These women covered the distance in the om day, and safely reached their destination —-Westport—that night. A FERTILE DISTRICT. "The Karamea Valley, whence they came, is an extremely fertile district, producing excellent .slice]) and cattle and crops, with a dairy factory, and it has a population of about 1200. Tho settlers have no access by either road or railway. They rely tor their communications upon a very erratic boat uurvice. which is only occasionally able to utilise Karamea harbour, owing tothe difficult bar entrance. Lying behind the Karamea plain, is a rich mineral country, and thousands of acres of unselecfced Crown lauds, very suitable for settlement, and having the great merit of being cheap. One can only believe they are unsettled because of the inaccessibility of the district. It is to be hoped that tho Government will in the future be able to make some provision for a permanent means of communication for tho people who live in these parts.”