The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 417, 26 January 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1878.

It appears that the people of Kumara are more deeply ; and immediately interested in the Turco-Russian war than Tip to the .present time they lad imagined and that, strange though it may seem, the occupation or otherwise of Stamboul by the legions of the Czar will materially affect the question of erecting a bridge over the Tereinakau. So, at least, considers.Mr John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works, who is the author of the following remarkable manifesto, addressed to his Worship the Mayor t Public "Works Office, Wellington, Jan. 17th, 1878. To His Worship the Mayor of Kumara. Sir—l am directed by the Hon, the Minister for Public Works to inform you, in reference to .your telegram of the 12th inst. requesting that the erection of the bridge over the Teremakau may be at once proceeded with, that the Government are unable to give you any definite reply at present.. The . expenditure to be incurred on numerous works of a -similar nature in various parts of the Colony must depend on the success attending negotiations for raising -a loan in London, materially affected as it without doubt will be by the state of European politics. In a few weeks the Government hope to receive intelligence in reference thereto, and will then communicate with vou further. I have, &c, John Knowles, Under-Secretary for Public Works. Under these unlooked-for and extraordinary circumstances, we would suggest to the people of Kumara that in place of interviewing Sir George Grey on the subject, a circular letter be addressed by the Town Clerk to all the crowned heads of Europe , when we doubt not that in view of the possibility of the erection of the Teremakau bridge beinc endaugered; they will at once endeavour to briog abou.t an honorable peace between the belligerents.:' All jokinw apart, is not Mr John -Knowles going a little too far from home to find an

excuse for the Government to break a distinct promise 1 It is just possible, however, —nay even probable—that others besides Mr Knowles and the Emperor of Kussia may have something to say about that bridge.