The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 587, 14 August 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1878.

Volunteers are reminded that the monthly inspection parade takes place this evening, at which the attendance of every member is necessary. In consequence of the Public Hall being engaged, the inspection will be held in the large room next to Mr Finlayson’s, Seddon street.

At a meeting of the Hokitika railway committee held yesterday afternoon, the West Coast Times reports, “ A sub-com-mittee was formed to visit the outlying districts, and to urge upon the ants, the advisability of pressing for the construction of a line of railway to connect this part with Otago via the Haast Pass. There were few or none of the members on tlie sub-committee for this purpose particularly desirous of undertaking the work, as each one proposed, found some good excuse for his not being able to attend to the duties.” Sensible men !

A letter was lately received from Mr Lance, chairman of the Ashley County Council, by Mr Blackett, Mayor of R.mgiora, asking if it would-be advisable to convene a meeting at Rangiora to con* sider the question of the railway extension to the Yv est Coast from East Canterbury. Mr Blackett has stated in reply that as the keenest interest is felt in the Northern district in the extension of the Northern lino to Westland, a public meeting called to discuss the question would be largely and well attended.

A “ little Native difficulty ” (of which mention was made in our telegrams on the 29th ult.) is reported in the Southland Times The s.s. Stella, Oapt. M'Kersie, arrived at the Bluff on Friday evening (July 2Gth), at seven o’clock, from Centre Island. Captain MTCersie reports that on his arrival at Centre Island ho found the Riverton Natives had taken possession of the lighthouse recently erected there, and refused to allow the Government to make use of it until some compensation is given them for the island. It appears that the Maoris have been using Centre Island as a burial place, and did not sell it to the Government with the other land. With commendable craftiness they have refrained from interfering until the whole of the buildings have been completed, and everything ready to light the lamps. They have now stepped in, and several having obtained possession of the keys, have comfortably taken up their quarter’s in the lightkeeper’s house, where they state they intend remaining till some arrangement has been made with the Government. Whilst the Stella was at the island, the Natives there were always ready to make a fire as a signal to the mainland to call reinforcements, if required. The following incident, which has the merit of being true, occured in Auckland lately. Mr Fisher the well-known butcher of Queen street, has utilised the powerful water supply now avilable for city purposes, so far as to enable him to work a machine for converting pieces of meat into sausage meat. Said machine was duly inspected by one of his employes, who, having gazed at it for some time in respectful awe, exclaimed, “That’s the first time I ever saw a steam-engine driven by cold water.” From this it appears that an acquaintance with hydraulics is not necessary to obtain emplyoraent as a butcher.

A capital story, and a true one, deserves to be chronicled. An old Maori woman was seen standing in front of a great brick building, of five stories—now being erected by Messrs. Jacob Joseph and Co. in Wellington. She stood looking at the pile with folded arms for a minute or two, and then, outstretching her hand, with clenched fist, addressing the building, exclaimed ; “ Taihoa te ru haeremai,” that is, being interpreted. “ Wait! the earthquake will come.”

The Waikato Times states that the Pakuranga hounds, thirteen couples, in charge of the huntsman, Mr Joseph Roberts, and an assistant, arrived by the midday train at Hamilton station on Monday. The sight of a pack of hounds and their huntsman in pink was a novelty in Hamilton and attracted some little attention.

The tarred footpaths of Melbourne, a new, plan of paving, are said to be as durable as Caithness slate or bluestone, and cost only 2s per square yard. The Corporation of Newcastle, N.S.W., purpose introducing the plan to that city. Gardiner, the well-known bushranger, who is now in San Francisco, is determined his Victorian friends shall not forget him, and as a reminder sent over one of his cards, to White’s Athletic Club Hotel, in Swanston street, Bendigo, On one side of the card on the top are the words u Twilight Saloon,” under is a man’s hand holding a card on which is inscribed “ 1031, Kearney street, between Pacific and Broadway, San Francisco.” On the reverse side are the words in writing, “with Mr Frank Gardiner’s compliments. In God we trust, all others cash down.”

The Australian papers, state that the Australian eleven have arranged to play matches at New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. As their last match in England, that with Gloucestershire, is fixed for September 9th, it will be well on to October before they can be in New York. It was suggested»at Home (prior to the departure of hist mail) that the Notts match should be deferred, in order to allow them to meet All England at Canterbury. At the banquet in London, on July 23rd, the Duke of Manchester expresssed his admiration of the pluck of the Australians in coming half round the world to measure their strength with the best cricketers in England. Mr Greig said they never for a moment entertained the hope of beating the flower of England, but they could not help feeling higidy gratified at the measure of success that had fallen to their share.

Scipio said that “a valiant and brave soldier seeks rather to preserve one citizen, than to destroy a thousand enemies.” Gollah on a similar principle, destroys the thousand pains of rheumatism, sciaticia, and lumbago, by his “ Great Indian Cures,” the wonder of the nineteenth century. Testimonials may be seen in another column, and medicines may be procured at all Chemists.— [Advt.] For miraculous cures by the use of Eucalypti Extract, read fourth page.— [Advt.]