The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 915, 5 September 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1879.

From an early hour this morning, the appearance of the town clearly denoted that an election of more than ordinary interest had commenced. Vehicles adorned with placards in which the names of favorite candidates prominently appeared were obtainable in numbers, and open for the conveyance of electors gratis in any direction. Just before going to press the excitement had culminated to the highest point at the polling booth, and stray-going electors were being impressed from every quarter. The declar.itiou of the poll at the booth here will be known shortly after five o'clock and there is every probability that during the evening the Hokitika, Waimea and Stafford returns will be to hand. A meeting of the Borough Council was held at the Town Hall last evening. In the absence of the Mayor Councillor Campbell occupied the chair. After the correspondence had been disposed of, a resolution was passed authorising the Town Clerk to arrange for the lighting of the street lamps for the period of twelve months. Accounts to the amount of £154 13s. lid. were passed for payment. An application from the Literary Society for a pecuniary grant to that institution was declined by the Council with regret, as the large contracts at present being carried out by order of that body absorbed all the funds at disposal. Fromanadvertisment in another column it will be seen that Mr J. Hannah, formerly Jeweller and Watchmaker in this town has returned to his old avocation, and that his friends and customers can rely on their work being executed in the same satisfactory manner as heretofore at his new establishment in Seddon street. The Chess Championship of New Zealand has been won in Christen uch by Mr Hookham of that city, winning ten games out of the fourteen he played, but although Mr Hay of Dunedin won a similar number, in the deciding match on the tie Mr Hookham was the conqueror, thus taking the first prize £SO. Our local representative appears however to have been particularly unfortunate, as we notice by our Ciiristclmrch exchanges that he was complimented in several games on the style of his play and also the good openings he effected. The relations between Russia and Germany are becoming exceedingly strained. Boalh countries are much exasperated by a quarrel between Prince Bismarck and Prince Gortschakoff. The angry articles in the official Press will probably result in a closer alliance between Germany and Austria. Although a large number of new liquor combinations with various names are constantly before the public, the latest diabolical compound invented can be credited to the honor of an inhabitant of this town. Actuated with a desire to bestow on the ! object of his affections a snmptous supper, he unfortunately utilized the kettle which was steaming over tlie tire in the house of one of our worthyb.-.nifaees. forthepurpose of reducing some une.-ioked German edibles into digostable matter. Sliorrlv after th«-> • landlord, hiving occasion to u?e the said uteiKi; -;.•.!• ;: ; ;j of concocting a hot night cap for a friend, was horrified to near ins customer vowing vengeance at the extraordinary amalgamation wUh which he had been served. Explanation ensued, and our friend in the s-msr'- 1 lino hay sLviu been credited wit-h the or£ i of the new compound designated " The i Gripes Invigorater." j In making some exeival/ionv. {., -,, ;,-]..-!

chamber which once formed part of a sumptuous habitation of the early times of imperial Rome. Tha ceiling is of the most beautiful stucco, with figures and ornaments in relief in an excellent state of preservation. The Walls are painted in the Pompciian style. Some of the figures have very graceful features and profies resembling by their delicacy the celebrated lekithoi of Attica. In the diggings in the Forum the bases of statues with inscriptions of the imperial epoch have been found.