OUR KUMARA LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 January 1901, Page 2

OUR KUMARA LETTER.

(our own correspondent.)

J amos Louden charged v ith the murder of the late James Stephenn of Dillmanstown, appeared before the court yesterday morning. The follow ing gentlemen occupied seats on the bench:—Messrs Byrne, Aitken, Campbell Bonyon and McConnon, Mr Murdoch appeared on behalf of accused and appl cd that ho bo

admitted to bail. The request was granted on two sureties of £250 each and accused in £250. These were found and accused was liberated. . Everything promised well for a great success for the Catholic picnic yesterday. It was fully expected that as - arrangements this year were more up-to-date than formerly, the measure of success would be proportionately great. The poet Burns expressed himself somewhat thus : “ The blest laid plans of mice and men gang aft a glee.” So it 'was in this instance. “Man proposes and God disposes” despite all arrangements the one thing needful failed and at the critical moment too. Fine weather was necessary and fine it was.until about 2 p. m. whan everything so well. Just then a light west ■ sprung up and with the spiteful* '"aw of a Betsy Prigg, the weather _ so glorious for weeks past broke. As time Worp on it became only too evident that rain had come to stay. After consulting together the committee decided to adjourn to the Adeltphi Theatre. Hero sports and pastimes of every des criptlon even to racing were indulged in for several hours. The committee certainly deserve credit for acting so promptly and energetically. It was the means of . ■ing what seemed at one time to . a dismal failure into a great sucthings considered. Judging by •. nces the main object of the picnic*., yment of th e children was gained ; entared heart and soul into tha lided in the hall.

Lieutenant ifr. P. Wall of Kumara left per Ilaupiri on New Year's Day to take up'his new duties in Lyttelton and understand ho will be in charge of the forts there, I wish him every success in hi» new sphere. Kumara has two aspirants for places in the proposed 6th contingent. There, names are James and .John Morgan. They have been undergoing some training in the art of rough riding, to fit themselves for position to which they aspire. Year’s night as far as Kumara is concerned passed off very quietly, for tha first time as long as my memory goes back we were without fireworks, except the inevitable cracker. What does it all moan ? that Kumara is progressing ?