OUR KUMARA LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1903, Page 4

OUR KUMARA LETTER.

(OT/B OWN COEBISPONDBNT.) The sympathy bo generally felt for the widow and family of tho late John M'Keegan took definite shape on Monday evening in the form of a public meeting called by his Worship the Mayor with the object, as the convener explained, of rend ring practical aid to the bereaved. Tho number present and the enthusiasm displayed augured for a successful issue. A strong committee was set up with Mr S. K. Rudkin as secretary. Canvassers were immediately appointed for the town and district, also for Greymonth and north as far as Westport, whita the same action was taken in regard to Southern townships. The average man is apt to say that collections are becoming unnecessarily burdensome. However, there are collections and collections. This time the ca*e is an exceptionally deserving one and few if any will find it in their hearts to say no, when the Cill of five he'plss children and a mother left destitute and b aref t of their bread-winner by a sudden and unexpected blow, call for aid. Nor can it be said the position is the resuli of thrift iepsness, as those who knew deceased best can bear ample testimony. All the unpleasant vicissitudes of a miner's life were known to him from bitter experience, even to that of his tragic deith

Mr "Walker, late head master of Kumara State School, and now inspector of Industrial Schools arrived in town yesterday, and is renewing old friendships. We are glad to see that the hand of time has dealt gently with him. Among those who successfully negotiated the Matriculation and Solicitor's General Knowledge examinations was Master Arthur Burger, son of Mr H. Burger of Seddon Street. We congratulate our young friend on his success. The brrak in the Christchurch road at the Rangitiri caused by the Teremakau river washing away is more serious than is generally thought. Before a permanent job can be made the road will have to be hewn out of the solid rock for a considerable distance. This will take time and money, and it would, seem as if it is to be put in hand at once and pushed on with vigor. In furtherance of that intention some 30 men are sail to be already booked for work on the deviation, and more will probably follow. - Mr A. Kennedy bas been engaged laying off a site for the proposed new wire bridge over the Greenstone Creek at Westbrook. The site chosen is close to and on the downstream side of the present bridge. The work is under the supervision of the Grey County Council. I regret to say that Mrs A. Aitken, wife of the manager of the Government water race, ia seriously ill, and little hopes are entertained of her recovery.