The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, NOVEMER 3,1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 965, 3 November 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, NOVEMER 3,1879.

Carefully analyzing Mr M'Kerrow's report on the Goldfiekls of New Zealand, we can but arrive at the same conclusion us the Secret '.ry for GoldIh'lds that it shews a considerable falling oil'in the returns for the whole colony ; but at the same time it reveals the

most encourarrino: features of progress iii this district. The Customs returns for the year 1878 shew that 14i,G34 ounces of gold were exported from the West Coast, being ;i decrease of lo,o;2';)

ounces when compared with the quan-

tify exported in the preceding year. This at the iirst glance wuuld appear far from satisfactory ; but it must be borne in mind that the lioofton returns arc included under the category of. the West Coa.sc, and the decrease in the yield of gold in that district alone in the last twelve months amounted to 10,008 ounces. This decrease the Warden of the district .states in his re-

port is stttiibu tabid' to the with.jmwa] of capital, thereby conuuiug operations

:o those mines only which bd|fcheen il ready opened out and t'onm™ >™'aUl»>. [n support of the argument tLtxt the Uoast generally -his not. deteriorated Imt increased in tli'o supply of auriferous metal, we etniiot lake a more reliable basis on which to ground thirl assertion than the gold duty. During the year ending December is7B, the, duty received on gold for the provincial 'district of Westland was £B4ll lis sd, or an average of .£2102 19s 7-} per quarter. Taking the first three months of the present year for the saute dishict us against this, we find that the duty received amounted to £3499 8s 3d, or the magnificent increase of £1390 Ss 7|d which—and as far as this district is individually Concerned in contributing its quota, we unhestitatingly affirm will be the case —will increase the gold duty for the provincial district of Westlancl by .£SOOO in excess of the amount received during the preceding year. Glancing locally at Mr M/Kerrow's report, we lind the returns of gold from Kuuiara for the last twelve Months estimated at 37,000 ounces, the goldiields revenue collected here during the sarce period amounting to .£2128 7s. I The number of miners actually engaged I in mining pursuits is set down at 1350, although we observe the number of 'miners rights issued were only 759. There is one suggestion of Mr M'Kerrow's in his report we most heartily endorse, and one that we trust will receive the favorable consideration of the Government. Speaking of the construction of roads and tracks through unfrequented country, he observes:—"The ardour and enthusiasm and personal resource which characterize the successful golddiscoverer are not to be bound down by regulation, or the restrictions of Government audit. Those who. have made all the important discoveries in the colony did not previously make known their intention to prospect ; and they would have disdained coming under any obligation as to reporting their intentions or proceedings. If the country is made accessible to the packhor.se, and the gold is there, private eftbit will do the rest."

The concert to be given at the Theatre Royal thisvevening by a number of lady and gentlemen vocalists from Greymoutft in aid of the Presbyterian M;mse fund will, we trust, despite the insinuations that have been leveled at the performers giving their concert while so many local entertainments were on the tapis, receive a fair share of public support. ■ Althdugh probably a more convenient date wdulct have not have appeared sd aritagdnis'tie to those engaged in the other entertainments announced, still at the same tine it must be remembered that, irrespective of the" very choice programme presented, the vocalists are strangers to this town and ori those grounds alone they should be heard before being condemned. The explanation given by Mr Hamilton in another colum as to the reason that prompted the holding of the concert at this particular date is one that should satisfy all parties that there was not the least intention or desire to clash with our local entertainments. ■ . • ' • A very intelligent bird; a tiii, the property of Mr Gilbert Stewart, escaped from its cage yesterday afternoon, aiid although every endeavor was made td recapture the truant, it was unsuscessful. Shduld any of our readers hear in their- bush rambles a bird repeating " walkj ingeritle ; men," or barking like a dog, they caii credit the missing bird with the jterfdrniance. The drawing of Gilbert Stewart's Sweep! on the Melbourne Cup will take place at the Public Hall this evening, at nine o'olock. The sweep will be drawn in full, as there are not a hundred tickets now" remaining, which will be swept off or otherwise disposed of prior to the drawing. The following horses in Tonks's" Sweep' on the Melbourne Cup were' drawn rat of the tickets disposed of by Mr of Dilhnan's Town : —-Zambesi, Wave, Exile, and Templeton. The first two horses are final acceptors.