The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MOKDAY, APRIL 19, 1880.

Kumara Times, Issue 1108, 19 April 1880, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MOKDAY, APRIL 19, 1880.

With the most distressing fact prominently before us that a contagious disease is now rampant in Hokitika in the form of diptheria, and that three persons have already fallen victims to this fatal malady, while over a score of others are lying, prostrate through its agency, it behoves the people of-this town to take immediate steps to prevent, if possible, this direful scourge obtaining a hold in our midst. There is little doubt that this disease is brought into life, as it were, by the atmosphere becoming poisoned, by the obnoxious exhalations arising from foul drains, cesspools, and accumulations.of debris and filth, that through want of a proper systematic inspection by the town authorities exists on many premises. Under the old adage that “ prevention is better than cure ” we apprehend that one of the first duties of the Local Board of Health in the present instance ia to at once take steps towards providing that the sanitary condition of the town is inquired into and reported on, and that any case calling for their interference should be immediately and strictly dealt with under the provisions of the “ Public Health Act, 1875.” Though up to the present time this town has been singularly fortunate in the matter of epi-

demies, at the same time, “ to be forewarned is to be forearmed,” and, under tbe circumstances, a meeting of the Board of Health should bb held at the earliest possible moment, to consider what course they intend to adopt before this virulent disease makes its appearance at our very doors.

Speaking of the probable leader of the Opposition during the next session, the Christchurch Press observes: ‘‘ Mr Seddon, Mr Speight, and Mr Turnbull, have all established undoubted claims on the party to consideration.” Though strongly in favor of the present Government we can conscientiously “plump” for Richard John as far as the Opposition is concerned. There are 30 entries for the handicap chess tournament, as follow = Messrs Palmer, Janion, Petrie, Scott, Connell, Pierson, M'Kenzie, Smart, Nicholaisen, Kennedy, M. Bell, Gill, Wiesner, Moss, Morgan, Sutherland, Toms, Homeman, Todd, Bennett, Munyard, Hannah, Dove, Paterson, Everett, Thitnbleby, Johnsen, Rigby, Kroener, and Taylor. The list is, we are told, open till the handicappers meet, which will he after the committee meeting, this evening. It is probable there will be three or four more who will enter for the competition. Those who have been fortunate enough to draw horses in Mr Gilbert Stewart’s late consultation on the Sydney Cup will receive the amount of their respective prizes by applying to the Treasurer tomorrow evening.