The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1880.

Kumara Times, Issue 1018, 6 January 1880, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1880.

A meeting of the Children’s Picnic Committee was held at the Town Hall last evening ; present Messrs Blake (in the chair) Wylde, Campbell, Whatham, Drummond, Seddon, Galland, Munyard, Metcalfe, and Wilson. Accounts to the amount of £G2 11s Gd were reported as having been received by the Secretary. The a count of Mr Robinson, for £43 15s for supplying 1400 meals to the children was, on discussion, reduced to £4O, as several of the Committee stated that at the last meal supplied there were numerous bags isued not containing the quantity of provisions in accordance with Mr Robinson’s contract. The remainder of the accounts were then considered ; and, after a reduction had been made in almost everyone received, the whole were passed for payment. The treasurer reported that after paying all tlieir liabilities there would be a small suplus in hand. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Kccch and Molloy for the use of their paddock ; and also to Mr Whatham, for his services as secretary to the Committee. The meeting then adjourned sine die.

The Local School Committee met in the Town Hall last evening, at the .termination of the meeting of the Children’s Picnic Committee ■ present—Messrs Seddon (in the chair), Bain, Drummond, Campbell, Mimyard, Molloy, toil Wylde. The outward correspondence was read and approved of, and the inward read and received. An advertisement -was ordered to be inserted in the Kumaha Times djoning trespassers in the school ground

that they would be prosecuted. Sir Whatham was appointed to audit the accounts of the Committee prior to the annual meeting taking place, in accordance with the Education Act.” It was resolved that the distribution of prizes shOuM formally take place on Monday next, the programme as suggested by the head-master, Sir Wilson, being given effect to. Messrs Wylde and M‘Whir ter were nominated as members to fill the vacancies on the Central Board. A nutiiber of applications were received for the appointment of assistant female teacher to the State School. After some discussion, the Committee recommended the appointment by’ the Board of Sirs S. Williams, of this town. A report was received from the head-master, in accordance with instructions, notifying the pupils he considered competent to fill the position of pupil teachers, who were R. Wylde, SI. Howe, W. Yoisey, and E. Wylde. As the visiting committee expressed great satisfaction with the manner in which R. Wylde, while acting as pupil teacher, had carried out his duties, he was appointed pupil teacher, vice Miss Cornfoot (resigned), the committee recommending that should the school maintain the same average attendance the ensuing quarter, SI. Howe be also appointed as a pupil teacher. The Committee then adjourned.

All the children who are to take part in the recitations, &c., to be delivered on the occasion of the distribution of prizes at the State School oil Monday next, are requested by the head-master to attend at the school-house to-mori’OW evening, at seven o’clock.

Tenders tor supplying the local Hospital with provisions for the half-year ending June 30th close at the Secretary’s office early this evening. We Would remind those who wish to secure a ticket in Lange’s annual Christmts gift distribution that the drawing Will positively take place on Thursday next. Tickets may be Obtained from Mr Schultheis, of the European Hotel, SeddOn street.

On one of the rioters who Was arrested at Timaru a letter was found bearing the signature of “T. O’Driscoll,” a wellknown publican. The contents were to the following effect;—“Come in boys! come in at once ! The Orange dogs are going to march. We must stop it, boys ! I will spend £SOO to stop them. We will cut them up in inches first.—T. O’Driscoll. Excuse this scrawl,” The letter was laid before Commissioner Weldon, a warrant was ordered to issue, and at midnight O’Driseoll was conducted from his bed to the lock-up. He had been sworn in as a special constable a few hours previously.

Several Mexicans were in camp at the mouth of Memphis Creek, Utah territory, and were lying about the fire, when one of them TelstorO Crucas, saw a large centipede fully nine inches long, travelling slowly over his leg. Knowing that the least motion would make it sink its deadly claws into his skin, without nioving his leg he got out his revolver, and waited till the beast had almost reached his kfiefe, when slowly putting the mouth of the pistol to its head, he pulled and the centipede was gone. But a centipede’s claws are quicker than gunpowder, and Crucas began to cramp in a few minutes, the track of the reptile along his leg turned a brownish yellow, and the place where it was killed was swelled up frightfully. Crucas rapidly grew worse, and in a little over four hours afterwards died in great agony. But the most singular part of the Story is that the bullet from Crucas’ pistol cut a small nick in the foreleg of a mule that was standing near, and at daylight next morning the mule was also dead with his leg so swollen that the skin had burst in several places. Cocks love to fight, and when they cannot fight themselves they love to see others fight. At the battle of Trafalgar one added his notes to the din, and on board the Saratoga and tile Eagle, at the battle on Lake Champlain, the cocks crowed lustily. Other instances might be adduced. During the bombardmbnt of Fort M‘Henry, in the thickest of the fight, a cock mounted the parapet, looked over toward the enemy, and crowed with all his might. A soldier within the walls, worn down with fatigue and too ill to work, declared that if lie lived to see Baltimore again, the cock should be treated with pound cake. Not being able to leave the fort the day after the bombardment he sent to the city, procured the cake, and had a fine time treating his favorite rooster.

As Mr Duncan M‘Loah, of Greyirtouth, is relinquishing the wholesale business, hea;ls of families and others can enjoy the same facility at the Kumara branch of laying in large supplies of groceries, &c., for cash, as he is determined to give the consumer the benefit of the large purchases made prior to the increase in the tariff.—[Advt.J