OUR KUMARA LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 August 1901, Page 2

OUR KUMARA LETTER.

(OTTB OWN COEEESPONDBNX.)

The members of the Bell Hill syndicate left to inspect that property on Sunday morning, and returned to town that night. I understand that Mr O. Carls* son, who has been managing the claim since the present proprietors took it over, will relinquish that position shortly. Mr E. Haun, late of the Long Tunnel Sluicing Company, succeeds him. I understand it is Mr Carlsson's intention to reopen his claim at Dillmanstown. This has been closed dawn during the last two years owing to the proximity _of the Government water race preventing further sluicing operations. The race has meanwhile been diverted, hence Mr Carlsson’s return. As it was one of the best paying claims on the field when working and much of the same class of ground still remains, a prosperous time should await its plucky owner. We have not as some people would lead us to believe come to the end of our resources with the exhaustion of our sluicing fields. Not to mention the possibilities of dredging, the constant passing to and fro of waggons and jinkers laden with silver pine sleepers attests a yet unexhausted source of wealth. Notwithstanding the increased price among compensates for the extra labour ana cost; and report sayeth that the lucky hewers are making a very respectable wage.

A further prospect of increased activity in the timber trade seems to await us. I hear of one local sawmiller who has embarked in business as au exporter, and several loads have already been delivered at the local railway station, for cartage to Greymouth thence to bo shipped. It is to be hoped that the plucky venture will prove remunerative for not only does the success of the individual effort deserve it, but with our almost unlimited supplies of virgin forest the possibilities of such an industry to the district are immense.

With the highly payable returns from the Three-mile Greenstone dredge comes once again a new confidence that all the local dredges will yet pan out alright. A short time back despair, or something nearly akin to it, seemed to have taken possession of many of us, but thanks to the Three Mile, hope is once again regnant. It is a curious commentary on the value of public judgment as to the whereabouts of gold that the Three Mile held, as it was, in least repute among the Greenstone Greek dredges should be the first to yield payable returns. With these returns comes the expectation that a dividend will shortly be announced, as the Company started clear of debt. Speculation is rife among the local shareholders as to what they will do with' it when it comes, if It ever does, for we are counting our chickens before they are hatched. One individual vows that he will make it memorable and perhaps we all will, for after such a constant dram of calls a “ div ” will bo truly welcome. Dean Foley announced last night that the result of the collection made by Bishop Grimes in the parish of Kumara including Waimea and Staffordtown in aid of the Christchurch Cathedral was £122 13s. This includes receipts from tha lecture, and is a handsome result taking all things into consideration. The Christchurch coach lost a valuable horse on Friday last. The animal broke its leg while trotting along on the level road at the Wainihinihi. The accident was inexplicable until the horse was destroyed and the leg examined, when it was found that the bone was decayed though no evidence of disease was visible on the surface.

A meeting of the Young Men’s Club will be held this evening at the School of Mines, when Mr.' Binnie will lecture on Architectural Drawing and Designing.