MR. WARDEN PRICE’S REPORT ON THE KUMARA GOLDFIELD.

Kumara Times, Issue 637, 12 October 1878, Page 2

MR. WARDEN PRICE’S REPORT ON THE KUMARA GOLDFIELD.

We extract from the “ Appendix to Report on the Goldfields of New Zealand,” laid on the table of the House of Representatives, the following portion relating to this district, made by the Warden, M. Price, Esq, under date June Ist, 1878, to the Under-Secretary for Goldfields. It will be seen that our worthy Warden has “ nothing ex ton nated, or aught set down in malice,” but in a plain unvarnished statement has clearly defined the prospects of this district, past and present;— With respect to this goldfield, I cannot say that during t‘ie past year' it has made the progress it was expected ; in tact, the reverse has been the case.

The population lias decreased by 1994 souls. On the 31st May,! 1877, it numbered 4860; on the 31st ultimo, 2866. lam not surprised at this de* crease and declining state of affairs, which may be ascribed to various causes, viz from the place being overrushed at first; from all classes in general coming without any means, the miners having to live a long time on credit; the business people building and commencing on credit ; and all kinds of trades being overdone; from the claims requiring a large outlay before any returns could be received; from the ground generally turning oiit poor ; from the leads being found limited ; and from very little new ground being opened up. This caused the floating population which always follows a rush gradually to leave. Miners, also, who came from adjoining districts, after giving the diggings seven or eight months’ trial, returning to their old localities, as they found they had not bettered themselves. Over-trading has also had to find its level; butiwhen the present depression is over it will bring about a more healthy state cf things. Notwithstanding this, the diggings hold out fair prospects to. those who are willing to work, for ordinary wages, as from the commencement this has been the nature of the ground. There is no doubt that many are remaining -ymtil something better turns up elsewhere. Yet,, on the whole, I do not fear that for some time to come any very material change for .the worse will take place, because, when sluicing commences on a large scale, and the sludge channel which the Government propose making is formed, it will require less- labor and expense to work the claims, and the returns will be more renumerative.

Only two new leads have been opened during the past twelve months, Ist. The Scandinavian, leading from Barker’s Flat towards Sandy Stewart’s Hill, 28 chains in length, and from 30 to 50 feet in width, all occupied, and the men doing tolerably well. 2nd. The Ross Lead, leading from Dillman’s Town towards Blake’s saw-mil la, 33 chains in length, and from 1 to 3 chains in width, has also proved payable. The gold revenoe during the year amounted to £1,002 9s; the spirit licenses to £1,951 Is. The yield of gold has been considerable, X believe I am within, the.mark,in, estimating it at 33,154-oz. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court in 1877 tbeie have been 224 criminal cases, and '544 civil cases. Criminal fees, £26 16s 6d ; fines, £284 15s ; and civil fees, £315 17s. In the Warden’s Court there were 43 cases, with costs amounting, to £42 k4si. Dill man’s Town has increased in size, and begins to have the appearance of a settled township. A good road has been rnade to it from Kumara, and a fair trade is carried on there. . During the past year Kumara has been declared a borough ; a State school has been finished—a , fine building, capable of accommodating 400 children ; the telegraph and post office, one building, has also been completed, and other improvements have been made in the town. The Government water-race lias been a great boon to the .district, for wherever. new ground has beenopened it has extended a branch race to command it. The miners.at Kumara have no reason to complain of want of water. 1 know of no goldfield which at its commencement had so great an advantage in this respect. The sludgercbaiinel which Government contemplate making will he a great benefit, as-it will command Dunedin Flat, Shamrock Terrace, and upper parts of the lead, and mining claims towards Larrikin’s Terrace, and Barker’s Flat; and it wo.uld be advisable to have it carried out with, as little delay as practicable. During the year the following number of registration certificates for various, rights were issued:— . Head-races ...... ... ... ... IS Tail-races ... , ‘ ... ... • 7 Dams and reservoirs... ... ... i Tramways ... . 7 Tunnels ... ... ... ... 29 Liens and mortgages ’ 79 Transfers of all. kinds jf . ... ... 152 Renewals and other registrations ... 86 Total ... ... ... ' 379 The above is for the year from Ist April, 1877, to 31st March, 1878.