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Kumara Times, Issue 483, 13 April 1878, Page 2

The West Coast Times, in the course of an article on the Civil. Service, says - “ It should be a maxim with any one who criticises the actions and conduct of members of the Civil- Service to do so as mildly as possible, and only in the "public interest, for the obvious reason that there is no possibility for the person attacked to answer. A Civil servant can neither raise his voice or lift his quill in reply or defence, save at the risk of dismissal, and It is, therefore, peculiarly ■ cowardly, to take advantage of enforced quiescence,, or, in other words, to hit a man who has hot his arms at liberty to return the blow.” We cordially endorse the remarks of our contemporary, the more so that in Kumara there are one or two persons who would like (if they could) to make this journal the vehicle of such attacks as those referred to. Mr Martin Kennedy, M.H.R., one of the representatives of the Grey district, has forwarded his resignation to the Speaker. It is not as yet known positively who will come forward as candidates for the vacant seat, but the name of a popular and talented barrister of Greymouth is freely mentioned. Should he do so his return is considered certain. A narrow escape from what threatened to .be instantaneous death occurred opposite the office of this journal on Thursday evening, about 7 o’clock. A little girl running behind Cameron’s coach suddenly darted accross the street, and was knocked down by the horse attached to Mulligan’s dray, falling below its feet. The dray was being drawn at a rapid pace; the driver did not observe the accident; and as no one was near enough to attempt a rescue, the -immediate death i\f tiie child was looked for. Strange to say, the horse seemed to pick its feet in passing over her, and the dray swerved sufln cently to prevent one of the ■wheels passing over her neck. The youngster picked herself up and ran away, rather frightened, but little the worse of the rough treatment she had experienced. Not the slightest blame is attachable to Mulligan. The Rev. J. W. Buttle, who has succeeded the Rev. W. Harper, will preach in the Wesleyan Church to-morrow, morning and evening. The man Gaffney, who for the past fortnight has been lying in the Kumara Hospital Ward in a most precarious state, suffering from concussion of the brain, the result of a tree falling on him, was today, under advice, removed to the Greymouth hospital. Since his admission to the local ward he has been most assiduously attended by Dr Bennett; and the wardsman, Mr Reilly; has paid him untiring attention ; but it was considered by the Committee that in view of the extraordinary expense involved (under existing arrangements) in keeping such a case in Kumara, it was advisable that he should be removed to Greymouth. Gaffney, who is still unconscious, was carefully conveyed from the Ward to the Tram station under the siiperintendence of Messrs Duhgan, O’Hara, and Stewart,members of the Hospital Committee, and every provision was made for his comfort on the -journey. Our chessplayers’ challenges appear in the advertising columns of this morning’s West Coast Times and Grey River Argus, and read as follow ‘ 1 The chessplayers of Kumara and neighbourhood invite the players of Hokitika [Greymouth] and neighbourhood to a friendly contest, three or more players a-side, man v. man, over the board ; one game each. Address, C. Janion, Hon. Sec. Chess Match Committee, Times. Office, Kumai'a.” ■ In consequence of the date of the usual inspection of the local Rifles .falling on Good Friday*, the inspection will be held on Wednesday next,, the 17th inst. „ —Spence has been appointed Sheriff of Westland, in the place of Mr Fitzgerald, resigned. Jamieson, Keily, and Co., of Kumara, have signed the contract for widening 'the Greenstone road, at Sandy’s'Hill. . Tho races to be held at Easter in Hokitika promise to be very successful. The following are the entries for the Kumara Handicap : Elfin King, Nutcracker, Native, Falcon, Banker j Jasper, Kensington, Phantom. We understand that in consequence of the names of the Commissioners appointed to deal with the Education Reserve not .having been gazetted much inconvenience is felt. Until they are gazetted no transaction of any kind in the land under them control can be effected. Messrs D. Davidson and Co. beg to advise the inhabitants of Kumara of the arrival of their new and most fashionable Winter Stock, comprising all the novelties

mantles, jackets, black and colored silks, dress materials, trimmed and untrimmed hats, clothing, boots and shoes, all bought in the. best colonial and home markets, and on the most advantageous terms. As the motto of the firm is “quick sales and light profits,” they intend to sell 25 per cent, cheaper than any other house in the trade. Come and judge for yourselves !, The goods are now opened for inspection at the Berlin House, Seddon street, Kumara.— [Advx.]