The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 698, 23 December 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1878.

An p djournecl meeting of the Children’s Treat Committee will be held at the Town Hall this evening, at 8 o’clock punctually, when the tenders for refreshment booths will be considered.

The ordinary meeting of the Kumara Lodge 1.0.G.T. will be held this evening, and also on Monday evening next, at the usual hour and place* It is not often we are called on to record any very unusual act of energy in the transaction of business in the Government departments outside of the ordinary routine, but, an instance occurred yesterday in which we must compliment our local postal authorities on the commendable prompitude they exhibited in the public interest on the occasion. The English mail via San Francisco arrived by the eleven o’clock tram and, being Sunday, j there were no vehicles of any description I in attendance to carry it to the Post Office.

In this strait, and despite the weight and formidable dimensions of the inward letter bag, the local postmaster wat equal to the occasion, for hoisting the massive parcel of correspondence on his shoulders he quickly conveyed it to its destination. As the Hokitika and Kumara letters were intermingled, the whole had to be sorted, and in within one hour from the arrival of the tram the lettCfs were all distributed to those persons possessing private boxes. The other portion was also immediately forwarded on by a special conveyance to Hokitika.

Those who are In the habit of attending the Resident Magistrate’s Court, compulsory or otherwise, will regret to learn of the sudden demise of One of its ants. “ Nettles,” who was well-known as a mongrel of the roughest appearance and most gentle disposition, and who for the last 13 years has acted as a “limb of the law,” quietly succumbed on Saturday last to an overtaxed system in consequence of the absence of rain for three successive days. There was a crowded house at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, on the second appearance of the Hart’s Operetta Company. The musical comedies of “Diamond cut. Diamond” and “My Wife’s Relations” affording the greatest amusement to those present; Mr Hart’s impersonation of the “British Tar” and Mrs Hart’s “ Midshipman’s Hornpipe” evoking special approbation. These genuine artistes require to be seen to be appreciated, and it would be utterly useless on our part to attempt to describe the manner in which, by their ignited efforts, they keep their audience for over two hours in one constant feast of enjoyment. This evening there is a special programme announced in which Miss Kate Russell will perform her unequalled dance of the Highland Fling, as also the great double Irish reel in the comedy of “ Irish Courtship.” As this is the last night on which these clever vocalists will appear, those who have not already spent a few happy hours with them, should embrace the opportunity this evening, as the entertainment is one well worthy of public patronage, being thoroughly genuine, and at the same time moat humorous in its character;

From a private letter received by a resident of this town to-day from Melbourne, we are glad to learn that Mr G. King, the ex-captain of the local Fire Brigade, is, under skilful medical treatment, gradually recovering his sight; The Ballarat Star says :—“ A great deal has been already said of the exceptional shooting powers of the now notorious outlaw, Edward Nelly, but there is in the employment of one of our local tradesmen a young man who arrived here recently from the-Mansfield district, and who can bear witness to the-' wondrous accuracy of Kelly a aim, either with revolver or rifle. The young man in question was acquainted with the Kelly family, and .he says that he he has held up .in his fingers the card known as the ace of spades, taken from an ordinary pack, and Kelly would ( canter past and; send a •bullet through the ace without fail; .'The fact of anyone having sufficient confidence in the accuracy of Kelly’s aird as to do such a risky thing as holding up a small card for him to shoot at, is • pretty : strong evidence of the outlaw’s extraordinary ’shooting capabilities. Our informant also stated that Kelly could perform the backwoodsman’s feat of ‘ driving the nail* with comparative ease. ”

Mr W, Willway having sold his plant and interest in the Dyeing Business to Mr. R. Upjohn (who has. become practically acquainted with the trade), begs to solicit the kind patronage hitherto afforded him to’his- successor. —Mrs TTpjoW announces that she ia prepared to clean and dye hats, feathers, 1 gloves, <fec!;' in 'the best style. N. clothes cleaned, dyed,. pressed, ; and repaired on the premises.— -Advt; 1