THE KARAMEA SETTLEMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLII, Issue 4312, 7 December 1874, Page 3

THE KARAMEA SETTLEMENT.

(From the Nelson Mail.) The news received by the Wallace from the Earamea is of a very satisfactory nature, although it is necessarily confined to the first impressions of the settlers after a cursory glance at the country, the steamer haring remained there bat a very few hours. Early on Friday morning the Wallace crossed the bar at three-quarters tide, there being then twelve feet of water, and she reports that no change has occurred in the channel since it was surveyed by Mr Cross twelve months ago, it being perfectly straight. The passengers and cargo having been landed on the Government reserve on the ..north bank of the river, the steamer started again for Nelson without delays 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 soil is said to be exceedingly rich, and vegetation of all kinds most luxuriant. The Shetlanders particularly were delighted to find the river literally swarming with fish of various kinds, including herring, plaice, and patiki or flatfish. Although grass has not yet found its way here, 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 neighbourhood of the settlement for the purpose of erecting a sawmill. At Westport the pioneers of the new settlement met with the one solitary digger who resides at the Earamea, and is generally known as, “ Earamea 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 to Westport 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 bis! experiences: He gives a most encouraging account of the district as a . gold-bearing country, the only drawback to its development being, in ms opinion, the difficulty of obtaining provisions. This will, of course, be remedied to a considerable extent by the* establishment of the new settlement, at which: stores will be procurable, thereby obviating the necessity of travelling 1 some 60' miles over a rough country to obtain, them.. The arrangements with regard to' communication with : the settlement ate, at' present, that a steamer from Nelson should call there once a month, but we should suggest to the Government the desirability of chartering a boat for at least one trip, whereby visitors who might wish to visit the district would have an opportunity of doing so with the prospect, or rather certainty, of returning, to Nelson within'a week or, at the outside, within a fortnight. From the reports of the quality and quantity of timber to be found there that have reached our ears w 6 have little doubt that many of onr old settlers would take a trip to this comparatively unknown portion of the province with a view to establishing saw mills. The steamer ’ might proceed to Westport from Nelson direct, and leaving, there at low tide arrive at Earamea on her return trip 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 visiters both from Nelson and Westport to visit the new district. If they could 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 enesuraging, 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. 1