the spot took a leading part in the laying out of the town, and he tells how the founders took Melbourne with its wide streets and squares as their model. It was thus that the important town of Kumara, like the proverbial mushroom, sprang into existence, ‘a city set upon a hill,’ with suitable sludge channels leading to the river and plenty of water laid on. Many hotels, stores, banks, theatres and business places started up as if by magic, lining each side of Main Street (the old main road), as well as both sides of the fine broad street running at right angles to Main Street, towards Dillman’s Town, and mapped as Seddon Street, in honour of one of its founders.”
The township at its inception was duly christened with the usual formalities by the Superintendent of the Province, the Honourable J. A. Bonar, Esq., and, rapidly developing, was proclaimed a borough in 1877, with, as has been noted, Richard John Seddon as its first Mayor. After the first stampede it quickly settled down, and with Government assistance many water races were constructed, which completely commanded the gold-bearing areas, the result being that the field had a long life, and for a number of years enjoyed great prosperity.
Although Kumara staged Old Westland’s last spectacular stampede and, in addition, marked the end of what is known as its golden
