THE KARAMEA DISTRICT

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1914, Page 8

THE KARAMEA DISTRICT

INTERVIEW WITH MR. H. T, PARRY.

Mr. H. T. Parry, of Charleston, has returned to Westport from a trip to Karamea. He expresses himself as surprised at the excellent quality of the soil and the large areas of land eminently suitable for dairying in the surrounding district. He said from what, he cuuld see the land was quite as fertile as that at Taranaki, and compared most favourably with it. Unfortunately the great drawback to the settlement was the Want of better and more reliable communication with the outside world. However, as the road from Westport to Karamea was near completion this drawback will be to a great extent minimised, and with motor traffic, which is sure to follow, it is doubtful if ever the port, which is now in course of construction, will be used for the handling of produce. He predicts that the opening of the road will forecast a new era for Karamea, and development and closer settlement would go> on at a much greater pace than at present. Regarding the dairying industry, with which he was professionally connected, he felt sure the factory would be receiving the support of over 4000 cows in the very near future. Little Wanganui, at the other end of the bay, 13 miles distant from Karamea, had quite as much scope, but Was only beginning to awaken. In addition to having large areas equally suitable for dairying, it was much more conveniently situated than Karamea to • Westport—the ultimate and only port of both districts. He learned from.the settlers that a butter factory was required at Wanganui, and he assured them that his company was prepared to help them if they would guarantee the cows. As this is practically forthcoming, a factory will be established shortly. . Questioned by the reporter, Mr. Parry said the roads from Seddonville to Wanganui have an excellent grade and radius so noticeable where Government engineering work is carried on, and motoring, with which he had had considerable experience, could be carried on with the greatest of ease, mucli more so than at present in the Culler Gorge. ' Summing up, he said that Karamea and Little Wangar.ui had one of* the finest futures before them of any district to his knowledge in the Dominion, and he trusted the settlers themselevs would hasten this end by pulling ;toget'.i.r.