THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF KUMARA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 783, 20 April 1877, Page 3

THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF KUMARA.

A writer in the Grey River Arcus expresses his opinion on the above subject, as follows If Knmara is not burnt down, which I firmly believe it will he if steps are not taken to establish a fire brigade, and adopt measures to arrest the spread of a fire—for at present there is not even a bucket available, or a waterhole Sunk to obtain water supply, anil therefore the only thing would he to let it burn itself out and the town with it, which simply means ruination to hundreds- I believe that Kumara will last

four or five years, and that it will be improving, say for a couple of years, as improve it must. X do not moan to say that Kumara will be done in four or live years, but if no new discoveries aro made, it will be on the wane, and experience of all goldfields points to tho same conclusion, and more especially inland goldfields. 1 however think it would be worth while if an attempt was made to penetrate the bottom, as it is called, of blue slate clay, which, I contend, is no bottom at all. I believe, and in this 1 am supported by the opinion of Mr Whitworth, that underneath that stratum tho richest deposits will be found. I am told that Messrs Hawthorn and Russell endeavored to penetrate this bottom some years ago at Rutherglen, and sank down some 100 feet and found nothing but tho same black deposit, with this difference, that the deeper it went the harder it got, and they gave it up in despair : but in spite of this I would point to what has been done on other goldfields. Should this be done, and the result justify my anticipations I think that Government might be asked -to aid in testing the ground, then, Kumara, and not only Kumara alone, but the whole of the West Ooart will benefit by the experiment, and a future opened up exceeding anything yet anticipated. If this is not done, then 1 put down Kumara’s prosperity at about four or five years, after which it will gradually assume the appearance of the adjoining goldfields of the Wairaea and the Greenstone, and it is nonsense to expect anything else. Attention should be paid to the sanitary arrangements, for without something is done it will prove a perfect hotbed of pestilence and disease. There is no drainage, and the atmosphere is close and confined. In conclusion, let me allude to the beauty of the scenery from the lead. Glimpses of lovely patches of hill and dale, wood and water, while the winding Teremakau adds an indescribable charm to the scene. There is not prettier scenery in New Zealand than is to he found at the Kumara, and 1 cordially commend it to the lovers of the picturesque, Constable, Ford, Watteau, Ansdell, Patox, Gucrard, and Chevalier. All artists would revel in it—with its broad effects of light and shade. I wish Kumara every success, for, for openhand hospitality, commend me to its residents. It is true, [ consider business is over-done, but then this will find its level, and I only hope when next I visit Kumara, which will be shortly, 1 may find it more prosperous than ever.