KUMARA.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 51, 6 August 1877, Page 2

KUMARA.

(Fnoat ozn: ow Coe.respondent.) The rush above Dillraan town, that for a time looked so well tliat a new lead was confidently believed to bave been struck, seems now to be gradually dying away. A few claims abovo the prospectors, bave payable ground, but above tbese, tbe gold shoots off into very narrow streaks and becomes scattered. Confidence in it is not altogether lost, for thero aro parties ahead sinking and driving, in, the hope of finding the. lead making richer again. Poor washdirt on tbi£ line could be mado to. pay moderate wages, the fall of the terrace favoring the easy erection of machinery on the balance-tank principle, by which, a great amount of stuff can be raised at trifling cost. Tbe proximity of the Government race offering a steady water supply. Other- rushes have taken place duriDg the month, but nothing of importance has been, discovered. The chief of these is in the neighborhood of Larrikin's where another attempt ia being made to trace a continuation. of the lead in tbat direction. The long spell of fine weather has proved very unfavorable to liie Okuku Race Company, for their miles of ditching and fluming are without a drop of water, and tbeir customers not getting their expected quantum, have drawn their supplies from the Government race. This state of affairs will however be soon remedied, a reservoir at Well's Creek, and a, main, race leading from it, being in course of construction, and will likely be finished within six weeks, when tbey will be in a position to compete, on a far more favorable footing than before, whilst tbe increasing demand for water will likely absorb all that the two races can supply. The area tbat is mined over on the Kumara has increased very slightly of late. Several new claims have been opened, and some, have been abandoned that were at one time thought to be good paying claims, so that the present yield of gold, whatever that may be, is hardly likely to increase mucb. until some of the claims tbat intend to ground-sluice get to work, when doubtless there will be an appreciable increase in, tbe yield. Tbe mining accidents tbat have startled . the community so frequently of late have promoted a discussion as to the nature of . tbe ground, and the safest method of working it. It is a noticeable fact that in all the claims in which these accidents haye happened the ground was being taken out on double timber, as it is termed -

Lhat is, two uprights, or props, and a transverse beam across called tho cap, (.lie whole forming a " set," and laths driven over tbis cap and resting on the set ahead, these cases, and in others that are not generally kuown, more than one set capsized ; the fall of tbe first set usually bringing two or three more down, catching the miners in a trap, and burying tbem under the timber tbey depended on for safety. Where the drifts overhead, or iv the face aro loose, or tbere is water iv tbe ground, and the slightest mistake would cause a run, filling the set with gravel, this is the only safe method of working ; but here tbe ground is generally dry, mostly firm, but very strong, nnd its strong nature may be considered tho I sourco of all these accidents. The roof above the washdirt being very uneven, one big stone projecting farther out than another, makes it difficult to securely steady the sets, so that those near the face before any weight comes on them arc easily knocked down. Quite a number of claims here bave from tbe opening of tbe field been worked with " soldiers," or single props, and no accident of any kind through timbering has happened, so that, judging from results, this is much tbe safer plan, for by this method the danger is reduced to a minimum. Should a prop, break, or capsize, a hole runs in the roof, filling the space below, but the rest of tbe timber remains firm ; should a big boulder be enconntered, it can be worked under, and one, two, or as many props as required can be placed under or around it ; if tbe ground is a little loose, shingles from, one cap to the other will prevent any run ; aud moderately bad ground may be worked this way. Where there is a great height of washhirt in the ground it would be somewhat difficult to work in this manner, but the plan will suit, and render safer many claims on the Kumara that are now being timbered the other way. Kumara, August 1, 1877.