THE KUMARA GOLDFIELDS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2437, 6 October 1876, Page 3

THE KUMARA GOLDFIELDS.

Thb Grey River Argus says Johnson and party have bottomed on the main reef at a depth of 67 feet, without getting the colour on the bottom, bufc at 14 feet from the surface they hare 4 feet of payable wash, averaging from 2grs to 2|grs to the dish; then after about 5 feet of mullock, they have again 19 feet of good sluicing ground, about £gr to the dish; from that depth to the bottom the colour was not obtained. This party were the first that set to work on what is known as the shallow ground, and their claim is situated about two miles from the other side of the break, in a lino due south from McMaster's claim, tlioy being under the impression from former indications that the gold ran north and south; but Cotville and party, who are situated six claims to tho northward, have gone through precisely the same kind of ground, and have good payable wash on the bottom 5 feet in: depth; they obtained 16dwts 9grs to a load and.a quarter. This would seem to show that the gold does not run exactly in tho direction supposed, and there is little doubt that in the centre of tho line the gold will be better on tho bottom than any yet found. Tho population of JCumara up to the present date, as reported by the police to the Warden of the district, is set down to be as follows:—Women and children, 300;: tradesmen and business people, 800; miners, 2,000 -in all 2,600, This is of course only an approximation of the : number on the field, it being impossible under existing circumstances to make a very reliable estimate. The population is increasing at an average of about 50 daily, so says the samo official report, Tho llosa Guardian says:-"Tho sound of the hammer is heard about town just now, but wo regret that it is not a sign of progress, but the reverse, as houses are being taken down for transportation to Kumara, instead of being built, Mr John McGavin is pulling down the Post Office Hotel, in .Bond-street, once the pride of old Bill Dalton; Mr Tom Selous is doing ditto to his billiard saloon, in Aylraer-street; and Mr Moran is talking about takiDg his newest purchase—tho Union Hotel—to pieces, with a view to sending it to tho rush," •

During a severe storm on Friday, a man by namo Alex, Armstrong was severely bruised by a tree falling on his' tent. A mate of his who was sleeping on a stretcher in the same tent escaped uninjured. ; Thtre were also many other narrow escapes. One tree in Seddonstreet fell right across the road, a man who was passing scarcely having time to get out of the way, and so near. Mrs Leach's largo building as to leave, somo of the foliage sticking on tho roof. It is perfectly miraculous that more accidents did not occur, as the trees round about the tents of the mon on tho lead were falling in all directions, most of them having to clear and walk about tho town, or tho liioro lucky ones to sit by tho fire in some building during the night, or sleep on the floor.