The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 626, 30 September 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1878.

What is generally considered an inestimable boon on a new goldfield is the construction, of water-races. On a field like this especially, where the ground, though auriferous, is so minutely sprinkled with the precious metal, a large nmnlier of claims would prove, umenumerative were it not that through the agency of a good water supply, sluicing on a large scale can he carried out, producing payable, and often unexpected returns. Looking at this goldfield in all its bearings, and tasihg into consideration the nature of the. ground worked, the formation of the surrounding country, and the success that has already attended sluicing claitns, we can but come to the conclu-

sion that this will eventually be one of the largest sluicing grounds in the colony. Numbers will naturally say how is this most desirable object to be effected, unless by open or tunnel tailraces, which for single claims would never repay the outlay 1 The truth of that assertion we are at once prepared to admit, but in so doing must refer to the question at issue, tail-races. The construction of races of this description involves, in the first instance, a large amount of labor and expense, and unless undet taken by a, number of miners holding a large area of ground, workable on its completion, it is a speculation in which few care to embark. It is a well-known fact that the interests of the mining community and the business people of a goldfield are identical, and what is success to the former, la prosperity to the latter. Such being the case, many of the works undertaken of a beneficial character to the miner are carried out at the expense of the business portion of the community. In many instances this no doubt under the circumstances previously referred to, is of little moment, but there are cases in which the interests of both parties are best served by combination. The construction of the Kumara tail-race furnishes a practical illustration in support of our argument. This work was undertaken ly a few of the principal business men of this' town- with- the object of bringing in a tunnel tail-race from the Teremakau river to the Shamrock Lead, a distance of about 2,800 feet. Its completion would not only be of vast benefit to the mining community, but would materially affect the interests of the district generally, inasmuch as it would enable a large amount of wellknown payable ground to bo worked—the greater part of which is now registered in anticipation—which otherwise would have to be left in its natural state. The enormous outlay incurred in the construction of this race necessitated the promoters throwing it into a company, and asking for pubic support—although on a very small scale—and this is one of the instances in which we say the hearty support of the mining community in conjunction with the business people should be accorded. From the great importance of this work it behoves every one interested in the future welfare of the district to aid in its completion, and this can easily be accomplished without any large pecuniary sacrifice by simply becoming a shareholder. We have but little hesitation in saying that when the Kumara tailrace is in working order, it will be the means of affording larger returns to many parties, and thereby materially affect for the better those whose prosperity in business is dependant on the success of the miners generally.