The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 616, 18 September 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1878.

The Mayor of Ross evidently looks on : municipal matters in a business point of view, for we observe by the local literary i organ, that in reply to a requisition from ' the Burghesses asking him as Mayor to convene a public meeting on an important question, he acceded, not, however, as Mayor, but as "manager"—of the meeting, we presume. The chess match between three players of Stafford Town and three of the Borough of Kumara takes place this evening, at Rugg's Hotel. It will be a novelty, perhaps, for this district, 'as the three .playerson the one side will consult one another on each move to be made against the other three, who will also consult in like manner. This mode of play is, of course, usually productive of good games, as, whilst there are three to suggest a bold attack, there are the same number to guard against approaching danger, and to sustain or defend the positions accordingly, which a player single-handed, is too often apt to overlook. Mr Cross, one of three residents of Stafford Towiij is an" excellent player, and, supported by Messrs Pierson and Palmer, will no doubt make, it hard work for his opponents. Mr Janion (Kumara) will have for his allies Messrs Wiesner and Petrie, who distinguished themselves in the late general tournament. Of course in playing a consultation game more time is required for the consideration of moves, inasmuch as the three might have different views and each have to be argued out; but a time limit will doubtless be. arranged—two hours each for the first 30 moves (and afterwards 15 moves each per hour) has been suggested, and we hope will be strictly acted upon. Each party will occupy different rooms, and the moves will be transmitted in writing. Mrßrookfield will-act as umpire for Stafford Town, and Mr Ball for Kumara. Mr Gordon will certify as to time. ■There was a Mr muster of the local' Rifles at Dillnian's Town last evening, ! who were put through the manual and j platoon exercise by the officer in command. ] A challenge received from the First West- j land Rifles of Hokitika, to fire a match ' on the Prince of Wales Birthdav was read and accepted. Mr G. Gordon was elected Secretary to the Contingent and also a member of the committee of manage-1 ment. There will be a practice at the match ranges on Saturday afternoon next. Tenders for painting the Town Hall will close to-morrow at noon, as they will .come under consideration at the meeting of the Borough Gouncil which will be held in the evening. A novel and ingenious system for the destruction of ducks, eminatingiri a female mind, has been inaugurated by a resident of this town. The modus operandi is simple in the extreme, all the appliance's required being a sharp tomahawk and a fenced-in yard with apertures to allow of the entry, but jiow egress, of these web I footed animals. Having secured your little duck, all that is necessary is a sharp blow on its neck with the tomahawk and its waddling days at once come to an abrupt termination. A trial of this invention was made yesterday, to which the public were not invited, but the head and body of an unfortunate waddler shortly after being thrownrHnto an adjoining yard proved conclusively that the system was a success, although in this instance it had been tried unintentionally of course, on a neighbour's duck. It is more than *probable, (says the West Coast Times) when a railway line does connect the East and West Coasts of this Island, that it will go by way of the-Taipo and Waimakiriri, that being the shortest and apparently most desirable route. Very lately the Government Engineer for the south, reported in its favor, and various meetings in various places along the route have been held. This would include Kumara, and we hope that it will be the one adopted if it possesses all the recommendations that are attributed to it. It would be equally convenient for Hokitika, and was lately named by us as the cheapest, as well as shortest of the routes hitherto proposed. At Capetown, a volunteer, named : Jackson, has been sentenced to 15 years' hard labor for shooting a Kaffir while asleep. The Judge said: It was your duty, with your superior force, to have captured Mm ; to shoot him lying asleep was cowardly and unmanly. —.