KARAMEA RIVER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1938, Page 6

KARAMEA RIVER

RESTORED TO FORMER COURSE. EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKE OVERCOME. The Karamea river control and harbour improvement works, estimated to cost £70,000, will be completed in approximately six months’ time, aftei being under way for the last two years. The object of the scheme will, it is believed, be fully achieved when the two training walls and stop-banks at danger points are finally construct* ed. Most of the major work is finished and only the cleaning up process requires attention. These training walls have served to guide the Karamea river back to almost its original course. The disastrous earthquake of 1929 caused upheavals resulting in the river taking a winding course around the township, until it seemed as if Karamea was surrounded by an immense swamp. When the river was in flood, the water backed Up rapidly, causing considerable damage to valuable farm land, stock, buildings, and highways, so much so that the plight of some settlers was becoming desperate, and many were inclined to leave the district. ■ However, these troubles seem likely soon to be ended because of the job which has been carried out by the Public Works Department.

Already the straight run of the river has caused much of the previously water-sodden areas of land to dry out, and once again they are being used for dairying purposes. These sections, however, will never be fully reclaimed until the work of building long stop-banks, round the back of Karamea is completed. The settlers have co-operated with the Government for the general benefit of their district, which is one of the richest dairying centres on the West Coast. Some have allowed large stretches of rich turf to be taken from their land for consolidating the stopbanks. and numerous other such sacrifices have been made. Before the earthquake, small trading vessels frequently called at Karamea, usually to load dairy produce and timber, which is another of Karamer’s profitable industries, but the changed river conditions made the port impossible of navigation. It is considered now that these vessels will soon be able to work Karamea again. This will mean a big savins? to the nroducer. who at present either has to ship his produce from Little Wanganui. 10 miles away, or send it bv road and rail to Westport 65 miles distant.