THE KARAMEA.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1236, 11 December 1874, Page 4

THE KARAMEA.

The Nelson Mail, referring to the report brought back by the Wallace from the Karamea, says:— " It is satisfactory to learn that the new arrivals were generally well pleased with the appearance of the country in which their new homes are to be formed. The Shetlanders particularly were delighted to find the river literally swarming with fish of various kinds, including herrings, plaice, and patiki or flatfish. Although grass has not yet found its way there, there is plenty of feed for cattle in the shape of scrub and sow thistles, so that a few cows for the use of the settlement will easily find a living. The timber is remarkably fine, so much so that Mr Holland, who was a passenger, has, we are informed, determined to purchase "land in the neighborhood of the settlement for the purpose of erecting a sawmill. At VVestport the pioneers of the new settlement met with the one solitary digger (?) who resides at the Karamea, and who is generally known as " Karamea Jack." This enterprising individual betakes himself to the wilds for several weeks at a time in pursuit of his occupation, and when he has obtained enough gold to justify his taking a holiday, proceeds overland to "VVestport for the purpose of enjoying himself in his own peculiar fashion. It so happened that one of these holidays was contemporaneous with the arrival of the Wallace at Westport and consequently the new settlers had an opportunity of hearing him relate his experiences. He gives a most encouraging account of the district as a gold-bearing country, the only drawback to its development being, in his opinion, the difficulty of obtaining provisions. The arrangements with regard to communication with the settlement arc-, at present, that a steamer from Nelson should call there once a month, but we would sug-gest to the Government the desirability of cbarteiing a boat for at least one trip, where!)}' visitors who might wish to visit the district would have an opportunity of doing so with prospect, or rather certainty, of returning to Nelson within a week, at the outside, within a fortnight. From the reports of the quality and quantity of timber to be found there that reached our ears we have little doubt that many of our old settlers would take a trip to this comparatively unknown portion of the province with a view to establishing sawmills. The steamer might proceed to WVstport from Nelson direct, and there at low tide arrive at Karamea on her return to Nelson at high tide and land her passengers. By such an arrangement little time would be lost, and therefore the price to be paid for her charter need not be very large, while, at the same time, it would possess the additional advantage of allowing visitors both from Nelson and Westport to visit the new district. If they conld be sure of getting away again within a reasonable time, there can be no doubt that many would avail themselves of such an opportunity. On the whole, the prospects of the new settlement appear to be most encouraging, but its progress may be marred by mismanagement, and we would take this opportunity of once again calling upon the Government to place a thoroughly efficient man in charge. The whole province is interested directly or indirectly in the success of the scheme, which in itself is a good and sound one, but there must be a competent man at the helm, and. further, to render success certain, the same advantages should be offered to the old settlers as are held out to the new arrivals. The ball is at their feet if the Government will only avail themselves of their opportunity.