OLD KUMARA.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1926, Page 3

OLD KUMARA.

(“ Kumara Times ” Dec. 30th, 1876.)

Twelve months since there was no such place as Kumara. ’Tis true it was “ the land of the white flower,” but with the exception of a solitary party of miners the deep silence of the buck country was unbroken, 4Uve by the cry of the kaka, or tho melancholy note of the mopoke. The punt over the Teremakau existed only as an unprofitable speculation, and tho advent of the mail coach, or a solitary waggon or horseman travelling from the Grey to Hokitika, was hailed as an event and anxiously looked for by the puntman. Now and then a miner or two would make their appearance for “ tucker,,” and in response to how they were getting oil would reply “just making tucker,” and then disappear mole-like to their holes, blit at last this persistency got noticed, and it was rumoured that they were doing more than “ just making tucker.” Accordingly they were followed by some adventurous spirits, and the extensive nature of the workings were discovered. The secret was a secret no longer, and in an action at the Warden’s Court, Goldsborougb, the first intelligence of the auriferiniis value' of this district, which had been handed over ns a reserve for educational purposes to tie Educational Board, was disclosed. Population then set in. slowly at first, for prior to last May or June, Kumara was little better than a, loresl. About this time the Arahura Road Board thought il advisable to make a horse track from the .Main, or Greenstone, road—which fortunately the General Government had constructed —down what is now Seddon street, at the bottom of which Mr Seddon had erected a store. Before the track was finished the rush had set in, and the track was altered into a road. From this time the news spread like wildfire, and during July and August some 20 or 30 business places had sprung up, but still they were ol humble pretension. During the months ol August anil September a regular stampede set. in, and in spite of warnings from the local press, men came from every part of New Zealand and the neighbouring colonies, impressed with fabulous ideas of the wealth of the district. To say that Kumara, grew would be to give a faint idea—it sprang up like a city in tho Arabian nigbts, a.s if touched by an enchanter’s wand. Every available site was applied for, and sections which a few months before were valueless, commanded fancy prices, and on the 28th September the •‘Kumara Times” was started. . . - We have not vaunted lip the field. In our first article wo asked the question whether business was not overdone—and statod that “this was not the place for new and inexperienced diggers. These diggings mean work—hard, heavy, laborfims work, and the means to ‘standby’ while the claims were being, proved.” Since then wo would point to tho progress that Kumara has made. Its hotels and stores are second to none on the Const, and while the “inexperienced diggers”—men who have no right on a new goldfield—have disappeared, miners of the right stamp have taken their place. The diggings now extend for miles, and a new township Dillman’s has sprung up; a horsetrack has been formed to it, from which views of the greatest beauty can lie obtained, and which cannot lw excelled in New Zealand, and another track is to he made along, the Shamrock Lead. A telegraph Office has been established, and also a Court House, Police Camp and Barracks. It is to he made the Central Station for the Pendent Magistrate, anti tenders are called for the erection of his residence; while a contnodions Post-Office is also to ,v built, ami five branch hanks are in active operation. Two theatres—the Royal and the Adclphi—have been erected, besides two steam saw-nulls, breweries, etc. Tts political importance cannot, be questioned, as midei every' disadvantage it polled more votes than the whole of the remiui.oer of the Arahura Riding or the County of Grov; while the number ol persons who attended the late holiday sports, showed how its population could turn out and enjov themselves quietly ami rationally. AYe do not say that money is abundant —it will still take two or three months before Kumara will >e in a truly prosperous state, but lookin,' at everything, we ask wlmt othei pi, mo can show a like amount of progress in twelve months. There, is still much to be dune-tbe town has to be drained or there is no doubt it » II lie very unhealthy; a. hre brigate cstnhlished, and a hospital to he Uilt but the inhabitants have faith Kumara, they know its resou <<£. and though there will he n s!i r ,! t del.. - sion, consequent on the reaetion a the holidays, still, we say that m three months time, Kumara will he