KUMARA.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 15, 14 May 1877, Page 2

KUMARA.

(From our owe Correspondent.) THE WBW BUSH. After leaving the Teremakau at the spot where the pant is situated, the Grey road passes over a low river bottom, having on its left, the broad shallow bed of the Greenstone Creek, and on the right, continuous to the road, and sketching east and west for miles along a high terrace, rising for more than 100 feet above the level of the road; steep of ascent, and in places rising almost per* pendicularly from the flat below. This terrace is the scene of the present rush. A few weeks ago, Corbett and party, prospecting along tha edge of the terrace found gold on its face. Since then, several other parties have obtained gold, and, although rathor premature to stato an opinion, present appearances seem to indicate a run of payable ground in a south-east direction, and gradually easing away from the front of the terrace. Taking tho Prospectors' as a starting point, a line stretched to the west for half a mile, and its area carried round in a half-circle to south and on to east, would about pass through the outermost claims that have been marked out and held, every party of claimholders forming the idea that the gold will come their way. Towards the south-east, and about throe miles distant, the old Greenstone workings aro situated. Miners from that locality will be found on all the fancy lines trending in that direction. The character of the gold already found, the appearance of the drifts

and wash, and the country generally, leading them to suppose that this is but a continuation of a lost Greenstone lead. Crossing to the south, from the Prospectors, \ and less than a mile distant, we come upon | a sharp bend of the Tcremakau, which from its abrupt turn, seems as if it once might have swept straight through the terrace, and left in its old bed the gold now being looked for. Here also we come upon the workings known as Payne's rush ; which makes it seem more probable that the gold has crossed this way. This has been the fancy lino with the Kumara men, and those who have been following the rushes in the neighbourhood. To the east, the terrace is broken by small gullies, and all contain a little gold, enough to indicate there may be more in the neighbourhood. This line is taken up by those who fancy there is a string of patches to be found, here, and there along the whole extent of the terrace. One thing is evident, should there eventually prove to be a run of gold, it will be confined within somewhat narrow limits, and not spread over the country, as the leads on the Kumara do. Daring the past week, two or three of the fancy lines have had duffers bottomed on them. The only golden hole bottomed during that time was one on Saturday, known as Big Peter, the Swede's claim. It is but a short distance from the Prospectors, and can scarcely be taken as a criterion of the gold continuing, but the prospects are so good, it has added fresh vigour to the rush. The prospects— judged by the crowd which stood around — were from 3 grs., to over 1 dwt. to the dish, and about three feet of wash. The bottom was reached at 27 feet. Shafts further back, that are now sinking, will have to go much deeper, the surface rising so rapidly that somo of them will have to sink at least 100 feet to reach the same level, this week will decide the fate of the rush, several holes will bottom during that time, and prove conclusively whether there is any gold in it, or otherwise. Besides the men who are camped near their ground, great numbers from the Kumara, Greenstone, and other places visit it daily. From "early morn till dewy eve," the punt is engaged crossing, and recrossing those who still remain camped at tho Kumara ; waiting for a further developement of the lead, before finally leaving the southern bank of the rirer. The punt itself is a great grievance, and daring the past week meetings hare been held, and resolutions passed, to the effect that it is advisable the punt be taken over by tho authorities and the fares reduced. Since the rush set in about 800 men daily, have passed, and repasscd the river. The fare for foot passengers is sixpence each way, weekly tickets halfra-crown, horses and waggons in the same ratio, so some iJea may be formed of its present revenue. Wo hear something of a bridge intended to replace it, but nothing definite is yet known. The ground on either side of the road, aJj tcent to tho new gold discovery, was eagerly pounced upon by business men as a site upon which to build. Warden Revell, however, informed them they would do so at their own risk, for the ground was a reserve for tailings, and there would be no township surveyed there. A few have squatted down and are building, but a good deal of the ground about there is under water during high floods, and sbould it be built on will form a long straggling township following the line of the road. Messrs Keech and Molloy, who own some land adjoining, have had it surveyed into sections, and on Saturday it was put up at auction, but could not raise a single bid. Surveyors are now out on the terrace, seeking a route for a new road on the high ground, and if a township is | formed doubtless it will bo up there. On the .- „ KUMARA, Work in most of the claims is in full swing. Water from the Kumara race— now owned by tho Govcnaa***—irfunaiug daily over the field, and the want of that necessary will so longer cause claimholders to heap up mountains of washdirt because they cannot run it through the boxes. As a rule washings have not come up to the expectations of shareholders. This, at first, is usually accounted for by the. statement that stuff had found its way to the paddock that ought to have gone over the tip-head; If such be the case it can be easily remedied, and we shall hear of improved yields from this out. A few claims have given ex* cellent returns, and acted like an agreeable stimulant upon the downhearted. In town, business is somewhat better of late. There is little cash in circulation, but old scores have been considerably reduced, and trade is now on a firmer footing. Kumara, May 7, 1877.