The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1880.

Kumara Times, Issue 1046, 6 February 1880, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1880.

A meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, the report of tf hich. is held over until to-morrow; The Gaiety Variety Troupe arrived irt town at noon to-flay ; It consists of four ladies and four gentlemen, and is under the management of Mr Montagu Browne. The troupe will make their first appearance this evening at the Theatre Royal, and from the splendid programme that appears elsewhere and their now wellknown artistic capabilities, we have not the least doubt they will receive a hearty reception at the hands of a Kumara audience this evening. We may draw attention to the fact that the prices are as usual 3s and 2s, although we inadvertently stated the charge would be 4s to the front seat. It will be seen by our advertising columns that Mr John Davies, of Hokitika, long and favorably known in that town as an adept in covering the outer man, has opened business in Seddon street, as a tailor and habit-maker, where those requiring suits of any make, pattern, or texture, can confidently rely on being "suited." A contemporary, with a love for figures and some spare hours at command, has made the following curious calculation. Assuming that the debt of New Zealand is now £22,000,000, if taken in gold sovereigns and laid out on their edges, one belore the other, the chain would ex* tend for a distance of 2,992 miles, 2 furloihgs, 6 chains, 4 poles, 8 yards, and 2 inches. Or if taken in sovereigns and laid one on top of the other, it would form a circular pyramid of the height of 200 miles, 5 furlongs, 7 chains, 2 poles, 3 yards, and 4 inches. New Zealand just now is being discussed in relation to its financial position by most of the leading journals in England. The Manchester Guardian poohpoohs our difficulties, which it considers can only exist in the imagination of the people. " Why," says this powerful organ, "New Zealand in coal alone could in time pay off the national debt of England, while probably its gold would discharge the public indebtedness of all Europe." The Northern Advocate thinks that in a few years an enormous amount of capital will be withdrawn from England to be employed in important industries in : bne of the finest countries the sun shines on. The Sydney Morning Herald, in its description of the Exhibition, says : " In beers the Colonies are very strongly represented, especially New Zealand. Bacon and cheese are strongly represented, the coast dictricts and New Zealand having a fine show. As a rule, our

own exhibitors seem to have lost ground, either through over-smoking or poor feeding, compared with the New Zealanders. There is a ripeness .and juiceness, so far as appearance goes, in the exhibits from the sister which those of New South Wales lack. Judging from what we can see, there is less loss in curing the New Zealand flitches than our own." Speaking of a curious party who figures in the British army—General Crealock—the London World aays i— u When he joined the column to take command, he appeared in camp dressed more artistically than in uniform. A broad wide-awaks, hat and a feather j and suspended to his belt by chains and swivels, as is the fashion with officers campaigning now-a-days, knives of all sorts, a compass, a corkscrew, a drinking cup, and other knickknacks. Says one blue jacket to his mate, as they were oiling a Gatling, "Ere's a rummylooking bloke, Jack ; if we'd only a few wax candles, we'd darned soon turn him into a Christmas tree.' "