The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1328, 3 January 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1881.

The “ Old Year out and the New Year in ” was observed in the usual proverbial manner on Friday evening. The inconn ing year was welcomed by the fire-bell giving forth its must, and at all times, unpleasant sound accompanied by a display of fireworks, of all sorts, sizes and colors, the rockets fired from Mr Gilbert Stewart’s Hotel being particularly admired for their extreme brilliancy. Several of the principal business places were lighted by Chinese lanterns the effect being remarkable good. Mr George Stewart was admitted to the Hospital on Saturday, suffering from a dislocation of the ankle caused through a scuffle with another person in which Stewart fell, the result being the accident under which he is now suffering. The drawing of Singer’s Art-Union, which was to have taken place on Saturday evening, had to be postponed until to-night, as the Committee found by the time the arrangements for the drawing were made that it would probably encroach on Sunday morning. The tickets are all sold, and the drawing will take place without fail this evening. In Gilbert Stewart’s consultation on the Grand Westland Rifle Handicap, the first prize fell to No. 32, the second to No. G 3, and the third to No. 9. We understand that a tea meeting wilj be held on Friday next, at Callaghan’s on the occasion of the visit of Archdeacon Harper, of Timaru. All accounts against the Picnic Committee are requested to be sent in to the chairman, before Wednesday afternoon next. Lieutenant Herman and his energetic coadjutors are rapidly completing the necessary arrangements for the production of Thompson’s Confederate Diorama at the

Theatre Royal on Thursday night. The entertainment provided by Lieutenant Hetman and company is one of no ordinary merit, as is attested by the fact that they exhibited for twelve consecutive weeks in Dunedin, six in Christchurch, and four in Wellington, the houses being nightly Crowded, and in some instances money 'even being turned 'away from the doors. The diorama is a new one, and the pictures are described as splendid specimens of the scenic art, while the ventriloquiai entertainment provided by Lieutenant Herman is said to be mirth-provoking in the extreme.