The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 697, 21 December 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1878.

The friends of Owen Roberts, who was injured at the Teremakau Bridge yesterday, will be glad to learn that the Resident Surgeon of the Hospital informs us that Roberts is progressing favorably since his leg has been set, and that all that he now requires is rest and quietness, which hint we trust his friends will accept ; as, although their attention are well meant, still the visits of so many persons to the ward in this case are not conducive to the recovery of the patient. The case of Clapton v. Irwin was heard at the Warden's Court last Thursday, and appeared to create a considerable amount of interest amongst the miners. It was an action to recover the sum of £328 for damages, for "that defendants did, on or about Bth December, by the negligent j working of the ground adjoining plain- I tiff's claim at Larrikin's Terrace, cause | said claim to be flooded and damaged, J I whereby plaintifts have lost the fruits of their labor for three months, also their tools and gold." Mr Perkins appeared 1 for plaintiffs, and Mr Hawkins fordefendi ants. The Warden went to view the 1 ground, and on his return the case was re- ' sumed. The evidence was very lengthy I and involved a large mass of incidental ', matter as well as several legal arguments. j We may mention that in the course of the evidence it was proved that the claim had for a considerable time back paid at the rate . ! of £4O per man per week. His Worship, : after carefully reviewing the evidence, ' gave judgment for plaintiffs for damages £l2O, with costs of Court, witnesses ex- '■ penses, and £5 5s counsel's fee. At a certain stage of the proceedings the Warden hinted that he would allow a quarter of an hour tor the parties to come to a settle--1 ment, as ho was of opinion that it was a ! case that might easily be so arranged. , The parties, however, failed to accept this : hint, and judgment was recorded as above. The Court adjourned at 7.15 p.m., after a I most protracted sitting.

j The Executive Committee appointed by ; the miners at the public meeting relative ' to the Kumara water-race have promptly ' and energetically car/ied-out t;ie of

one of the resolutions then passed, for we understand that claims for compensation have already been lodged with the Government for £II,OOO, and that forms filled up, but not yet forwarded, amount to £B9BO, making the sum of £19,980 claimed as compensation for the land taken by the Government. We are requested to state that the name of Mrs Doyle has been withdrawn from the programme of the Hospital concert, as that lady will be unavoidably absent on that occasion, and had she been in town her services would have been only too heartily given in a concert having for its object so worthy a purpose. The New Zealand Volunteer Artillery have been formed into a regiment, divided into ten batteries, designated by the first ten letters of the alphabet. The batteries are classified in the following order : Auckland, Dunedin, Timaru, Wellington, Christchurch, Napier, Invercargill, Nelson, Oamaru, and Cook County.

We understand that measures are being taken with a view to carrying out a match for deciding the chess championship of New Zealand. In advocating the most desirable place for holding the match, the Canterbury Times says:—"ln our opinion there can be no doubt that Christchurch possesses great advantages over any other part of the colony. The bulk of those likely to take part in a contest for the championship are, we venture to say, resident in this island, and Christchurch is easy of access, by rail or coach, from almost every part of the Middle Island. Dunedin players have promised to take part in the contest, provided it is is held in Christchurch."

A lady of amiable disposition was lately instucting a class on their duty to their neighbour; at the termination of the lesson, and after an oration on the virtue of returning good for evil, in the belief that she had made a favourable, if not a lasting impression on the youthful minds, she wound up with the following question—" Suppose a person were to be unkind to you or strike you, what would you do '?" A pause ensued, when one little girl, sharper than the reßt, made the following laconic and not unnatural reply "'lt'im again."

Mr W. Willwat having sold Ms plant and interest in the Dyeing Business to Me R. Upjohn (who has become practically acquainted with the trade), begs to solicit the kind patronage hitherto afforded him to his successor.—Mrs Upjohn announces that she is prepared to clean and dye hats, feathers, gloves, &c, in the best style. N.B.—Gentlemen's clothes cleaned, dyed, pressed, and repaired on the premisec.—Advt. For miraculous cures by the use of Eucalypti Extract, read fourth page.— [Advt. J