The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 642, 18 October 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1878.

The following gratifying telegram was received by the Mayor of Hokitika, yesterday, relative to the West Coast railways, in reply to inquiries thereon forwarded by the Borough Council to S. T. George, Esq., M.H.R. : sented petition. Railway Construction Bill now before the House. The second schedule contains, amongst other railways for construction—Greymouth and Hokitika, £220,000; appropriation—Amberley to Brunnerton, £950,000. —S. T. George. ” The first of the final competitions for the selection of a team to represent Kumara in the rifle match against Hokitika will take place to-morrow. The first squad will fire at 6 a.m., and the second at 2 p.m.

Encouraged by the fine appearance of the weather on Monday, the 7th instant, Father M‘Oaughey started from Ross to visit a portion of his flock in Okarito, Forks, Five-mile Beach, and Gillespie’s, in company with the mail-man. Allen’s was reached about six o’clock, where a delay was occasioned for some hours, waiting for low water. Started at nine, forded the Waitaha River and Saltwater Creek all right, and then went on to Big Wanganui 'Bluff, where both horsemen and horses had to make their way as best they could over boulders and rocks. Arrived at Wanganui River, and in a few minutes faithful Jim Hende was plying his oars to the watery surf, and had the weary travellers seated beside a blazing fire—now • two o’clock on Tuesday morning. A nap, and. breakfast over, the steeds were mounted at nine o’clock and wending their way through the new track to the Little Wanganui River, which was early forded. Soon “ Waitaka Bob’s ” mansion was reached, where all comers and goers are welcome to whatever there is in the line of “tucker only you must not be .bashful, but ransack the house for the billy, the tea, and the sugar. Ferried the Wataroa, forded the Waitaki River, and sighted Okarito at six o’clock, where Captain Thomson was waiting with his boat, and soon landed his passengers on the shore of this once flourishing but now almost deserted town. What most attracts the attention of the traveller here when he arrives is to see the eyes of all, both big and small, directed upon him, owing no doubt to the novelty of a stranger amongst them. Next day (Wednesday) the horsemen are in their saddles and- on their way to Gillespie’s, where they arrive 5 at 4 p.m. Now a clouded Sky, peals of thunder, and flashes of lightning indicate a change of weather. And so there was. Rain fell in torrents, days and nights, till rivers were bank high. So Father M'Oaughey had to-make up his mind to wait upon the “clerk of the weather” ere daylight Sunday morning the return trip was undertaken ; and, after fording rivers at peril of life, ploughing through quicksands, and scrambling over blufls, his reverence reached Kumara on Tuesday last, at ten o’clock at night, having journeyed 63 miles that day with his faithful horse “Old Tommy.” Father M'Oaughey reports the population greatly decreased in those places south that he visited, and mining business very dull.

i The body of Mr Henry Ferguson, of 1 Ferguson Bros., who was drowned in the 1 Waitaha river on Tuesday week, has not ; yet been found. Yesterday morning Mr i Inspector James despatched Constable i Chambers to make a strict search for it | along the beach to the south of the Hokij tika river, but, owing to the strong cur- : rents which have prevailed since the uni fortunate occurrence, there are very slight j hopes of the search proving successful, j Mdlle Jeanne Donste is a little pianiste j only seven years old, who has lately performed before Queen Victoria. When at ; Buckingham Palace, the little lady w r ore a | white artificial camelia. ‘ ‘ Who gave you i that asked the Queen. “Oh! that’s | my talisman, your Majesty ; Mdlle Albini gave it to me for good luck,” Her Majesty went over to a corbeille, took out a red camelia, and gave it to the child, saying. “ Wear tiiis beside it, my dear, and may ' both bring you a twofold share of good luck !” M. Louis Olivier has lately devised a form of telephone which differs from the ordinary anparatus, chiefly in the shape of its diapugram. The inventor states that the idea is to imitate the construction of tlie drum of the human ear more perfectly, and that the timbre of the voice is preserve:! by the improved diaphgram with groat accuracy.

Five hundred and forty-eight Catholic journalists throughout Europe intend to take part in the Press pilgrimage, on the anniversary of the Pope’s exaltation. The Russians have discovered that of 3,500,000 roubles subscribed to the Volunteer Fleet fund, more than half of the sum found its way into the pockets of the organizers.

Poor Sir James Grant Suttie, the Conservative candidate for Haddington Burghs has been defeated by a large majority ; although with heroism worthy of a better cause, with the permission of lady Suttie, he publicly kissed one of the fishwomen of Dunbar, Such self-sacrifice was surely worthy of success. For miraculous cures by the use of Eucalypti Extract, read fourth page.— [Advt.]