The Kumara Times. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1877.

Kumara Times, Issue 161, 10 April 1877, Page 2

The Kumara Times. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1877.

“ Ought Kumara to be formed into a Borough 1” is the question which the ■inhabitants of this town are called upon to answer, in consequence of the action taken by certain gentlemen, as a practical protest against the attempt of the Arahura Road Board to increase the local asssessment. These gentlemen, somewhat hastily perhaps, convened a public meeting and at that meeting committed themselves, if not the public, to do their .beat to obtain from the Government, power to manage the affairs of the : town under the Municipalities Act of last year. They were not satisfied by the manner in which- the interests of Kumara had been furthered by the Road Board, and could not see that the County Council would be in any degree, better disposed, or better able, to foster those interests. As there was yet remaining to them a third form of local government, one ■which; where properly carried out, is undoubtedly the best or towns of any importance, they thought it not unadviaable 'fcfe make trial of it, and took the first 'step boldly enough. -It is difficult say whether in doing so, before having tested public feeling more than they did, they acted 'prudently but be that as it may, their course of action is now clear enough \ they must carry out their design if it is practicable. Accordingly, they are now canvassing the town for signatures, and though thbir first -step was somewhat, hasty they cannot be accused of endeavouring to ; hairy the people, as they have allowed nearly a fortnight to elapse before making this second step. To enable our readers; thoroughly to understand what their position will be if Kumara be made a Borough, we will quote or summarise the leading. clauses, of the Act. In the event of the petition being signed by the requisite number of resi. dent house holders, and no counter petition'being sent in before the expiration of two months after its presentation, the Governor . may. /proclaim -Kumara a. Boronghyjmd the 20th' clause of the Act provides : as U 1 The. governor shall' appoint a To wn Clerk, who shall held office until a Town Clerk is appointed by the Council.

“ 2 Such. Town Clerk shall-make up a Burgess Roll, as nearly as may be according td 'the provisions of this Act 1 , from any list of ratepayers liable to be rated upon property in the district included in the Borough • and the roll so made shall be deemed-to be the Burgess roll until a?fresh roll -is made as: by this Act provided. : ..“3,;The Governor shall appoint a Returning Officer, to hold the first election of Mayor, Councillors, and Auditors, and shall appoint the day or days for such elections.

“ 4'The Governor shall appoint the ; day for the first meeting of the Council, and ■-shall’ have full power to do all things of what kind soever necessary to provide, for bringing this Act into qpera. ti6n in snch Borough, according to ' the true intent and purpose of tbia Act”:

Whereupon by the 31st clause the Borough ceases to be a part of the County and Road District and by the 32nd clause the Council and Board of ■ such, County and Road District may severally agree with the Council of such Borough as to the following things : 1* What part of the property, real and personal of such County and Road District respectively shall become the property of the Borough; “ 2. What part of the rates payable ; to such County or Road District res* pectively, at the date of such severance, shall be deemed to be rates payable to such Borough ;■ “ 3. What part of the liabilities and engagements of such County, or Road District respectively, outstanding at the date of such severance, shall be iiabilities and engagements of such Borough; 1 u 4. What part of the interest and sinking fund of any loan raised by such

County or Road District respectively shall be payable by such Borough;

And such agreement shall be in writing, and shall be final as between such County and Road District and such Borough.”’ [We shall probably continue the analysis to-morrow].

The mail coach from Grey mouth yesterday broke down on the other side of ' Marsden, in consequence of the giving way of one of the axles. The mails Were brought to their destination on horseback.

In consequence of the committee of the Hokitika Hospital Art Union having been< unable to receive returns from Jackson’s Bay, the drawing has been postponed. Communication with Jackson’s Bay will be attainable as soon as the Waipara arrives from Nelson—about Monday next—nntt) which time the sale of tickets will continue. At this office the tickets originally sent to us were some time ago all sold, but since the postponement we have received some additional which can be had on application, , 1 ■ < •

Mr 'Warden Price, not; haying been able leave Hokitika by the Kennedy as li e intended (that steamer having been ‘detained by a mishap), left for Christchurch by the coach this morning. He will join the conference at Wellington probably on Friday. It was not Simpson's coach which broke down on Saturday, as reported yesterday, but Cameron’s.

Elizabeth Farrell, who was taken down to Hokitika from Enmara last week, died just before midnight on Sunday An inquest was to be held on the body at 2 o’clock this afternoon.

Bishop Redwood, while at the Lyell; received a telegram, conveying the sad intelligence of the death of his sister. A man is in custody at the Enmara lock-up, on an information, charging him with having committed an indecent assault upon an unmarried female on Saturday morning last.