NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 107

Exploration for roads.

Two parties, headed by leaders of experience, have been detailed to explore for suitable lines of road, but up to the present the result does not hold out any hope of success in finding a direct road to Nelson. A practicable line was found between Little Wanganui and Mohikinui, but it soon became apparent that within reasonable expenditure, and without crossing the snow, the only available road to Nelson must be along the coast to the Heaphy river, then by the Heaphy valley over the Salisbury open, down the Aorere valley, and by way of Collingwood to Nelson.

Unwillingness of settlers.

The available labor was directed to the road works from Little Wanganui to Mohikinui; but here difficulty was experienced by the unwillingness of some of the settlers to leave their homes at Karamea. Many of them upon the most frivolous pretext left work, and much time was lost, until stringent rules were put in force, compelling those who were in debt to remain constantly at work, or have their credit stopped at the store. The track is well laid out, and with good gradients, though several heavy rock cuttings have been made. It is taken through a country of limestone formation, which, although hilly, appears to be of good quality, even to the hill tops. The track will probably be open about the end of July, 1876.

Education.

The education of the children has not been entirely neglected, a school having been opened upon the terrace, and established about twelve months, attended by about 40 children, with good results. No school building has yet been provided, although very much required, and as the settlement is too small to support two schools, it would be desirable to provide one in a central position, so as to secure attendance from both sides of the river.

Success of settlement.

From the foregoing may be gathered how far success has attended the works entered upon at Karamea. The great object of planting a settlement in the hitherto inaccessible wilderness has been accomplished by the location of seventy families, and although another year may elapse before all these can safely depend upon the produce of the coast to supply their wants, the amount of extraneous employment necessary in future need not be very large. At one time there was a prospect of the establishment of saw mills at Karamea; this would have given all the employment required, but the fall in the value of sawn timber has temporarily checked enterprise in that direction. The number of persons engaged in mining at Karamea has increased, and probably some of the settlers will presently supplement the returns from their land by this industry, but for the next year some other employment will be required, especially by those who have to provide for large families.

Necessity for further employment for settlers.

Reproductive public works are urgently required in many parts of this district where comparatively nothing has been done to connect the interior with the port, and in addition to the settlement roads, which should be continued, there are at least two works in the neighborhood of paramount importance, which really should be undertaken with as little delay as possible. One is the track from the mouth of the Mohikinui river to the quartz reefs, a distance of twelve miles; the other being the continuation of the coast track from the Karamea via Heaphy, Salisbury's open, and the Aorere, to Collingwood. Of the former work it will be sufficient to say that the Provincial Government have already commenced it, and that it will take £2500 to complete. The necessity for the track is shown by the many valuable lives lost by the pioneers of that district while endeavoring to convey provisions and machinery over the dangerous falls and rocks of the Mohikinui—a work that can be attempted only in fine weather, and then so fraught with risk that the freight is one pound per ton per mile. Notwithstanding these difficulties the reefs are slowly progressing, although occasionally a run of bad weather compels all the miners to leave for want of provisions. The coast track is also a most essential work, and as a means of through communication would be a great boon to the farmers in the Collingwood, Takaka, and Motueka districts, as well as to consumers on the West Coast, for on the one side farmers complain that they find no market for their stock, and on the other great difficulties are experienced in consequence of the very high price of meat; but apart from this consideration, the addition to the public estate by rendering available the Heaphy valley would amply warrant the outlay, which for a sufficient cattle track would not exceed £5000.

Up to the 31st of May the expenditure and liabilities of the settlement have been as follows:—

Advances from the General Government, (disbursed as per returns) ... £10,200
Liability for stores and freight ... 1,000
Due to settlers for work done ... 760
Accruing due to settlers for contract work incomplete ... 640

£12,600

No explanation will be needed, except perhaps for the latter item, which represents the amount that will be due when contracts now in hand on the Mohikinui track are completed. The two latter items, amounting to £1,400, will be required immediately, to enable settlers to take up their leases, and to purchase seed and cattle.

Direct result of outlay—
16 1/2 miles Mohikinui road ... £6,615
5 miles settlement road ... 2,500
Other roads, tracks, ditching, &c. ... 1,100
Explorations and surveys ... 600
Balance due by settlers ... 990
Working stock and goods in store ... 1,350
Passages of immigrants to port of destination ... 500
Subsidy to steamer ... 300

£13,955

The amount due by settlers is here set down at £990, but when the works now in hand have been completed, probably about the end of July, I expect to see the item reduced to about £350. The stock will also be reduced probably to £700. With regard to the sum of £500 disbursed in forwarding immigrants to their destination, it seems to me unfair, to saddle this expenditure upon the

Track to quartz reefs.

To Nelson.

Cost of settlement.

Direct result.

Passages of immigrants.