The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 456, 13 March 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1878.

It would appear that an attempt has been made to work what is now known in Hokitika as "the Nevada dodge" upon the "Evening Star" for animadverting upon some of Father Henneberry's remarks. The following is what our contemporary says on the subject:—"We are glad to say that the course we have taken has met with general approval, and we feel perfectly satisfied that we have done our duty. A few subscribers have fallen away, but their places are more than supplied by appreciative recruits." Referring to the death of the late Mr Alex. Reid, journalist, the Wellington Post of the 6th inst. says:—"During last evening Mr Reid was seen frequently on deck, being most of the time either seated or walking on the poop. It was noticed that he seemed to be depressed and in low spirits, often muttering absently, and later in the evening he was seen leaning over the side, and heard talking to himself in a low tone of voice. One of his fellow-passengers, Mr Parry, a member of the New Zealand Times staff, saw him in this position shortly after 9 o'clock in the evening. A little later, Mr Parry went below, and on returning to the poop after a brief absence, Mr Reid was nowhere to be found. A careful search was instituted over the ship, but without bringing to light any trace of the missing passenger, and at length the painful conclusion was forced unavoidably on all, that Mr Reid must have gone overboard. Not the slightest sound of any cry was heard, or any splash, although, as it was blowing hard at the time, it is possible that such would not have been audible. The steamer was rolling somewhat, but not enough to render it probable that he was pitched overboard, and considering the low state of spirits in which he was observed to be, it is to be feared that, under the influence of mental depression, he must for the moment have lost the balance of his mind, and ended his life by jumping overboard."

The ball of the Hibernian Society has been postponed to a future date. On our fourth page will be found an interesting account of Stanley's discovery of the great Congo, now known as the Livingstone, river in Africa. From advertisement in another column, it wil be seen that a meeting of the Catholics of the district, at which all Catholics are requested to attend, will be held tomorrow (Thursday) evening, at the Church, at 7.30 p.m. It will not be forgotten that the entertainment by the members of the Kumara Amateur Dramatic Club, assisted by the Dillman's Town Band, in aid of the widow and children of the late Mrs Gibbins, takes place in the Theatre Royal this evening. The programme, which is a most attractive one, will be found in our advertising columns, and doubtless that, combined with the very laudable object in view, will secure a large attendance. At a meeting of the Committee of the local Hospital Ward, on Monday, it was stated that the proceeds of the late ball were £45, and the expenses about £l6. Antonio Lardi, at one time a wellknown resident in the Grey Yalley, died recently in the Christchurch Hospital. , Wm. Plumb, a witness in the murder case of Regina y. Ryan, was charged at the Greymouth Police Court yesterday with attempting to evade his recognizances. It was proved that he had gone to Wanganui to seek for work, but it was also shown that he intended returning to Hokitika in time for the trial. The charge was dismissed. The Greymouth Hotel was knocked down at auction to-day, by Mr David Gird wood, to Mr Sam. Pollock for the sum of £2OO.

The writer of a letter in the West Coast Times, signing himself " Ghilderic," states that Father Herineberry did not, as alleged by the Star, make the infamous statement imputed to him, impugning the legality of marriages between Roman Catholics and Protestants.

The Ashburton Mail says ■:—" Whilst walking on the beach near the mouth of the Eakaia. some few" days ago, a farmer of the neighbourhood, Mr Sutton, found a bottle that had been washed ashore, and its being all covered with barnacles indicated that it had had a lengthened voyage. Upon the outside being cleansed, it was found to contain a curious woodwork miniature imitation of the crucifixion, there being a cross the whole length of the bottle, the cross piece being the whole width ; the upright part standing on the transverse pieces of wood, also the width of the A ladder leads up to the cross, whilst there are at either side smaller crosses. There is also a representation of a spear, and of another with what is meant to represent a sponge on the end of it, whilst at the foot of the cross is a very good imitation of an old-

fashioned Bible, all carved in wood, a hammer and another instrument, but what the last is intended to represent cannot be made out. The whole is very neatly carved in common wood, and fixed together without a flaw. The wonder is not so much at such a thing being washed up by the sea, but how the wooden structure got into the bottle, as the bottle is a common brandy one, with the usual narrow neck, and quite free from any scratch or defects. It is surmised to be the work of some pious sailor, and must either have accidentally got overboard, or be a waif from some ill-fated wreck."

Socrates used to say that it was pleasant to grow old, with good health, and a good friend, and he might have reason as health is the greatest of all possessions and 'tis and an old maxim, that a hale cobbler is a better man than a sick King, but unfortunately diseases of a painful and violent nature attack all, from the Prince to the beggar, and then will a golden staff help gouty feet, or a wooden stick, rheumatic legs to walk 1 Readershould you suffer with rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, neuralgia or muscular stifling pains, use "Ghollah's Great Indian Cures," the wonder of the Nineteenth Century. Testimonials may be seen and Medicines procured at all Medicine Vendors.—[Advt.]