KUMARA TO KIMBERLEY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2994, 8 June 1886, Page 3

KUMARA TO KIMBERLEY.

[from our own correspondent.] Wellington, June 7, 1 p.m. Messrs Mansfield, Mills, Rasmussen, Jones, and thirty other coasters arrived yesterday, bound for Kimberley. After getting over the effects of Neptune’s bane, Mr Seddon took them through the Library. Whilst admiring the painting of the Maori King Tawhaio, Captain Sutter came on the scene, and was introduced. The explorer says “He don’t look a bad sort;” whilst another miner, who is not of so forgiving a nature, says “He only wants tattooing and a little burnt cork, and they might then have King Billy’s picture to hang alongside of the Maori King’s.” A refresher at Bellamy’s put everything to rights, and they left the Wellington blow-hall in good spirits. Mr Larnacb gave the West Coast party a letter of introduction to the Government Agent at Kimberley, so your people go well accredited abroad. To-day they left for Sydney, per steamer Waihora, all in good health and spirits. The private news to hand here from Kimberley is not favourable, and a shipment of stock is delayed awaiting further news. An old Otago miner writing from Kimberley to a friend in Hokitika (says the Star) with regard to the class of country to be travelled says :—“ We (meaning a party of twenty-six), left Melbourne on March 2nd for Port Derby, which place we reached in about sixteen days, and left almost immediately for the scene of the new workings. The first 126 miles we travelled on foot with comparatively little difficulty; after that we covered another 60 miles without coming across the slightest trace of any water, the heat being something terrific, and the hardships we had to put up with are beyond description. We next passed five days without coming across water, except what we managed to carry with us. Four of our party were then attacked with fever, from which three died. We are now in camp (as I write you this letter), a distance of 304 miles from Port Derby, and have not yet reached the principal gold workings. We met a survey party, by whom I forward this letter, who informed us that the sinking was from three to four feet, and that a quantity of gold was found under the tussocks. I would not advise you at present to come here, at least until you hear from me again, as just now there really is very little to induce anyone to come to a country like this.”