The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1361, 10 February 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1881.

A sad accident, by which a fine promising little boy, about five years old, the son of Mr Patrick Byrne, of Westbrook, lost his life, rtccurrod last evening. It appears that the unfortunate child was standing on a culvert which ,crosses the road just above Murphy’s Hotel and was playing with the foam made by the water passing underneath, when he overbalanced himself and was immediately drawn under. Although the child was quickly missed . the culvert promptly taken up and the child rescued he was perfectly insensible and almost lifeless when taken out of the water. Dr. Acheson was quickly in attendance, but meanwhile the parents of the child had succeeded iu restoring the child with every appearance that the poor little fellow would be none the worse for his mishap. However, about half-an-honr after he quietly succumbed to the shock the system had received by the fright and immersion.

In the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, the question of the tramway between Mr Blake’s saw mills and Oilman’s Town being a public thoroughfare was again raised ; but as the case was dismissed on account of a flaw in the information, the Magistrate wns not called on to give a decision on a point that is of public interest, inasmuch as if this is not a public thoroughfare then some other steps must be taken by the police to suppress the obscene language constantly used thereon by a certain party with impunity. A meeting of the Kumara Literary Institute was held on Tuesday evening, the Rev. E. A. Scott occupying the chair. It was resolved that the lecture kindly offered to be deliver'd by Mr John Bevan, of Hokitika, take place on Friday, the 25th inst. The Chairman and Mr Petrie were empowered to make all the necessary arrangements for the printing and advertising in connection with the lecture. It was also resolved to ask H. A. Stratford, Esq., to preside on the occasion. The meeting then adjourned. The Christchurch coach, owing to the heavy flood in the rivers, did not arrive at the usual hour yesterday, the branch mail coaches with the mails on board from Goodfellow’s only arriving at 3.30 p’ in. to-day. : j A revised edition of “The Babies in our Block ’’ by Mr S. S. Pollock, of this town, is now in the press, and will shortly appear.

The Post of Monday-saysAs ah illustration of the useful application to which the telephone can be put, we may mention that, it being desirable to comdiuttiuate yesterday with the Hon, Mr Rplleston, who is now at Napier, the Premier was able to carry On A direct Verbal conversation with his colleague from his own office in Wellington, & distance of 218 miles. We understand that by Speaking deliberately and distinctly, taking Care to separate words from one another, the conversation was carried on with perfect ease and clearness, saving a large amount of otherwise unavoidale telegraphing and delay. Referring to the death of Mr Richard Blackwood, of the firm of Dalgety, Blackwook, and Co., brief reference to which was made in our cable message a few days ago, the Argus of the 24th ult. says:— “ The deceased gentleman, who had only entered into commercial pursuits at a comparatively recent date, had previously been engaged in squotting in Riverlna; but during the absence of brother, Mr John Blackwood, in England, he acted for him in conducting the business of the firm bf M'Meckman, Blackwood, and Co., and subsequently joined the firm of Dalgety and Co. as a partner. He recently went to England with his family, and it was while visiting the hteamer Protos that he suddenly dropped dead. It is announced that the Czar’s marriage with the Princess DolgorOuki has not yet been formally solemnised, nor will it be so until after the expiration of the customary period of mourning —a full year—for the Czarina. The Princess has once more taken up her quarters in the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg, but again on a separate floor (the third), and maintains a separate establishment.

King Alfonso and his eldest sister were hunting recently, when the Infanta was thrown from her horse on her head. This accident only caused a slight wound near the right ear, and did not prevent her from remounting and following the hunt.

The safety of the Czar from domestic conspirators is purchased at a great price. We read that during his Majesty’s recent journey from Livadia, teU peasants and two soldiers were stationed As watchmen along each vesft of the entire distance from Sebastopol, making a total of 30,000 men on foot, with 1700 mounted. As these were on guard two days and a night, it must be supposed that half were reliefs. The cost of these watchmen, after making allowance for compulsory service, is estimated to have been at least £15,000. A watchmaker at Copenhagen, of the name of Sonderberg, is reported to have made a watch which requires no winding up, inasmuch as it performs that work itself by means of an electric current. An electric 5 magnet fixed inside the watch keeps the spring perpetual in a state of tension. All that is required to keep the watch going if to preserve the battery in proper working order, for which purpose one or two inspections in a twelvemonth is said to be sufficient.

When travelling in South America last year Lady Florence Dixie came across a South American jaguar with its cub. The mother savagely attacked Lady Florence, who in the most plucky manner shot her in self-defence and captured the cub, a young male. Lady Florence brought the cub to England, and last winter the jaguar was out in the open during the cold weather, having only a small kennelhouse slightly heated by a gas stove. The jaguar had for a companion a tiger cat, and these two animals were subsequently transferred to the Fishery, Windsor, where they were allowed a large open space, with an abundance of fresh grass and trees, which they were very fond of climbing. Being close to the Thames they never omitted to have a swim in the river of the morning. Their food was varied, but Dixie’s is a beautiful specimen so tame and gentle that if he were not so mischievous he might go at large. As Lady Florence is about to leave England for Africa she has deposited her pets at the Zoological Gardens.