VALLEY OF WAIMEA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 April 1937, Page 5 (Supplement)

VALLEY OF WAIMEA

The following letter to “The Examiner” in 1842 by Mr J. W. Barnicoat. one of the original surveyors, will be read with interest:—

“As so many of your readers feel lively interest in all that regards the agricultural prospects of this settlement the following account of one of the districts now being surveyed as suburban land, may not be considered as intrusive.

“The whole valley of the Waimea may be equally valuable and interesting: but as my acquaintance with it is but limited, I must confine my description to that portion lying between the bottom of Blind Bay and a river which runs into the Waimea, about six miles south. The range of hills on the east, and the Waimea on the west, form the other boundaries of the district. The whole of this extent is level, unless a series of low hills which jut out from the foot of the grand range about a mile or two into the plain be included within it. The part next the sea is

chiefly occupied by an immense bed of flax, which runs about a mile and a half in the direction of the length of the valley. The grass is very fine, and, together with sow-thistle which springs up amongst it, forms quite a thick carpet. Here is probably abundant pasturage for cattle. Next commences a thick bush, which extends to the river both on the south and west. The bush is accompanied by flax, fern, etc., and the whole may readily be cleared off by fire. A large space, especially adjoining the hills, is covered with fern, some of which of enormous growth.

GOOD GROWTH OBSERVED “The soil, judging from the general abundance and freshness of vegetation, is very good. Its'depth (from three or four trials) may be stated at about one foot on the hills, and in the plain itself about two. One pr more of the different varieties of grass is almost everywhere to be met with. Sow thistle is extremely abundant; the greater part of the plain is free from marsh, and bears no marks of being ever flooded. The large flax bed mentioned above is marshy; the rest is generally dry.

“The district is well watered. Besides the large rivers, which form two of its boundaries, several'small streamlets issue from the lofty range of hills on the eastern side, and intersect the plain. Water may also probably be any where found, with but little trouble, by sinking a well, the digging of # which occupied a man about two hours, and which has for three weeks past afforded a plentiful supply.

THE FLAX MARSH “This ferlilfc plain presents no obstructions to being, brought into immediate cultivation, with the exception of the marsh, which would require previous draining; unless, indeed, its natural produce (flax) should prove valuable. This marsh, which is only

"SUBURBAN LAND"

Early Surveyor Gives His Impressions

partially wet at present, adjoins the ;ea—is in one compact mass, and otherwise presents facilities for being drained. It might in a great measure be freed from water, by merely affording channels to one or two small streamlets, which, having no present outlet, expand themselves into the marsh in question. But the wet ground is very inconsiderable in extent, compared to the more available ground producing fern and grass. The former is at present apparently ready for the plough, particularly where it has been burnt; and the latter, even if left unimproved, must be valuable for pasturage.

SCARCITY OF TIMBER “The scarcity of timber may be considered one of the drawbacks to the value of this district. Little or none of any size grows within its limits. However, an inexhaustible supply may be obtained on the other side of the Waimea. The small valleys also on

the eastern side are wooded, and fine timber may be procured from them.

“Its facilities for communication are remarkable. The sea skirts its northern end. The river Waimea is navigable at least alor.tf a considerable portion of its western side; and the river, at the south end, where I have seen it, is sufficiently wide and deep; but I cannot say how far it may be available for purposes of transport. Besides these means of water communication, a good road may be obtained by following up to its head the principal valley in which Nelson is situated. A moderate slope separates this from another valley, which opens into a plain adjoining that of the Waimea. When once on the plain itself, the formation of roads is comparatively easy, and good materials are almost everywhere at hand. BRANCH VALLEYS ABOUND WITH BIRDS “The little branch valleys abound with pigeons, parrots, pheasants, and many other birds. The rivers are frequented in great numbers by ducks and other wild fowl. “From the above statement, it would appear that the landowners of Nelson may congratulate themselves on the prospect of speedily obtaining land — extensive, well-watered, apparently very fertile, with great facilities , for communicating with the surrounding districts; and, it may be added, within seven miles of the town of Nelson. The other tracts adjoining this and elsewhere—equally, or perhaps most desirable —I leave others to describe. “I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, “W. BARNICOAT.” ANOTHER DESCRIPTION Writing to a “Respected Friend,” Mr J. S. Gotten 11 describes the Waimeas in 1842, and includes references to the

limber'further south and the manuka on the hills.

"Having twice visited the valley of the Waimea, and penetrated'some distance into the interior, I may perhaps be able to give some information respecting that district. "The valley of the Waimea, is about sixteen miles in length, by six in breadth, at its lower extremity, being intersected by the river, which runs about north through the middle of the district. That part of the valley adjoining the coast consists of mud flats, covered at high tides, which extend from one to two miles into the country. Through these flats the river runs in three channels, two running to the eastward and falling into the bay, called Mouturoa, and one taking its course to the westward, and joining the sea towards Moutuaka.

“Leaving the mud flats, we crossed a large extent of land covered with flax, manuka bushes, and grass, occasionally, swampy, but affording much good food for cattle. Still more to the southward are extensive plains of grass land, more elevated than the former, often of very good quality, and with a thick undergrowth. Some woods and streams abound in this part, affording plenty o£ eels and ducks.

“At a distance of five miles from the flats a river flows from the hills to the eastward, entering the Waimea at right angles. This is a fine river, containing a good supply, of water. One mile from this river we come to a fine pine grove, which extends from the Waimea to the hills at the westward.

and continues till the river meets tho hills on that side. Much of the upper portions of this wood is only manuka bush. There is a fine tract of land eastward of the Waimea, arid southward of the river before mentioned, which contains a large quantity of fine timber, occasionally varied with open land.

> “I understand it is the intention of the chief surveyor to lay out the land on the coast-side of the Waimea, as Tar as the river from the hills, and also the whole of the land towards the west of the river, as accommodation sections, of 50 acres each; the tract of land before mentioned on the east sale being reserved for the rural sections. !‘The land in the valley of 1 the Waimea is generally very good, producing grass, cabbage, etc., very abundantly. The river falls rapidly, having occasional falls of four to six feet; but the influence of the tide is felt for some miles. The land everywhere in the neighbourhood of the river bears the appearance of occasional extensive inundations; but these might be, in a great measure, prevented by the removal of the banks and timber which at present form the obstructions to the water.”