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Kumara Times, Issue 1090, 29 March 1880, Page 2

To-day being Erster Monday, the banks and principal business places in Kumara are closed for the day. A large number of persons left yesterday afternoon and early this morning, for the Hokitika Easter races. There were one or two extra coaches yesterday, well filled ; and three or four extra ones this morning, some of them being only partially occupied. We are pleased to learn that the sufferers by the late accident are progressing as favorably as can be expected, and also fchev are receiving every attention in the Hospital that medical supervision and careful nursing can possibly do towards their recovery. In our report in last issue of the sad disaster we omitted to mention the excellent assistance rendered by Dr. Clarke to the sufferers, and also by Mr Toms, chemist, whose timely services in dressing their wounds was of great moment.

There was a good attendance of visitors at the fruit exhibition by Mr Bladier, of the Arahura, to-day, a detailed account of which is held over.

The drawing of Gilbert Stewart's Sweep on the Sydney Gold Cup will take place to-morrow evening. Persons desirous of securing an interest in the only Consultation on this event should apply immediately, or otherwise attend the last sweep for the few remaining tickets, which will take place this evening! The drawing is to take place at the Town Hall at eight o'clock. The acceptances appear in another column.

~ Mr Singer's grand Easter art-union is announced to be drawn to-night. We understand there is an active demand for tickets, and persons wishing to secure a chance of one of these valuable prizes (all of which, including the 50 sovereigns, are on view in his establishment in Main street) should make immediate application for tickets.

The Otago Civil Service Examination Board intimates that an offer having been made of £5 per annum for five years, to provide for prizes for the best essays on the principles and practice of Parliamentary Government and cognate subjects, the Board announce that the subject for the present year shall be "The Development of Constitutional Liberty in England ;" competition to be open to all persons under 25 at this date who have passed either the junior or senior Civil Service Examination, and who are in the Civil Service at the time of competition. Since the institution of the Victoria Cross in 1856, it has been bestowed on no less than 368 officers and men in the military and naval service. Seven who had gained the cross died before it was formally conferred upon them, and 29 have died since they received that honor. Of the 368 heroes who won the distinction, 171 were commissioned officers, the remaining 197 being non-commissioned officers and men in both services. A pension of £lO per annum is bestowed upon the non-commissioned officers and men who receive the cross.

Her Majesty's interest in the Zulu war has been shown in a very sympathetic and touching manner. Lately many noblemen and gentlemen and their ladies were favored with the view at Buckingham Palace of a splendid silver gilt casket, ordered by the Queen. In this were placed lockets of pure gold, containing locks of hair of thirteen officers who fell at Rorke's Drift, each locket being engraved with an "In Memoriam" and the name of the officer, together with the date of the melancholy- death. The casket is in the shape of a Greek cross, and the lockets are arranged in that form. Messrs Harvey, Cockburn and Co., her Majesty's

jewellers, who have, -executed the \vork> have been authorised by her Majesty to receive and treat in a similar maimery any like relic or souvenir of officers who fell in the South African campaif n.