The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1377, 1 March 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1881.

By our cablegrams it will be seen that the British troops have sustained a most severe defeat at the hands of the Boers in the Transvaal, Col. Sir G. P. Colley, K.C. 5.1., and O.M.G. (Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, and Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George), being killed, together with 500 out of the 600 men under his command. This disaster is mainly attributable to the extraordinary military genius that has always guided the actions of the Gladstone administration, who, instead of sending out sufficient troops to cope with any difficulty, usually despatch a handful of men to meet almost certain though honorable death through being completely outnumbered by their opponents. In another column will be found the report of the proceedings at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday last in the case of Bridget Cute, charged with the larceny of a' boiler. In our Saturday evening's issue we did not give this case in full, although we had the report to hand, as the prisoner was convicted on another charge the second one against her being dismissed. Our attention, however, having been drawn by Mr Barff, J.P., one of the Justices who presided on the Bench on that occasion, to the fact that through the report of this case not appearing in extenso the public were unable to judge of the character of the prisoner, to which he made reference when sentencing her, we now publish the case with that object ; and also to remove, if possible, from the mind of Mr Barff, the erroneous impression he labors under that we " talce every opportunity of holding him up to public ridicule." The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Hospital Committee will be held at the Secretary's rooms this evening. A telegraph station is now opened at the Rifle Camp, Brightwatei-, Nelson. The first prize in Tonks's sweep on the Dunedin Cup fell to Messrs Wylde and Elliston, of Reefton.

We understand that the persons engaged in producing "Beh Bolt" on the occasion of the entertainment in aid of the Presbyterian Manse fund, are sparing neither expense nor trouble to place the piece on the stage in a manner to thoroughly eclipse anything yet presented in tins town. Owing to fresh arrangements lately entered into by Mr J. Drummond in connection with his business, he is now enabled to supply several specialties in the way of household requisites, from the very best markets, at the lowest possible cash prices. The examiners for scholarships in Dunedin were severe on the candidates for their errors in grammar and composition. The Dunedin Herald shows that the examiners have made grosser errors in their reports. Since the bad licking of the Canterbury Fifteen at Christchurch, sympathetic telegrams have been forwarded from Timaru, proffering the aid of some of the South Canterbury players, in the eVent of a consolation match being arranged* In the Supreme Court at Wellington a few days ago an eminent lawyer admitted that, through obscure instructions, he had been several days getting up a case from the wrong standpoint—his labours and re=searches could only be beneficial to his opponents, by whom he had wrongly believed he was retained. Referring to the large number of gentlemen who have been appointed Justices of the Peace, Mr Haggitt remarked in the Dunedin District Court, that "every other man you meet is a Justice of the Peace." A painful case of a deaf witness appeared at the Darlinghurst Court-house lately. When repeatedly asked her name, she at last replied, "Between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon," and looked round the Court in an air of surprise at the laughter which her remarks occasioned. New South Wales has decided to present to the Queen a large album, 2ft. 6in. broad by 2ft. long ; it is bound in purple velvet, the corners being silver scrollwork. It contains 56 photographs of the choicest scenes which the Metropolis and the country could furnish. To those in search of merriment, visit S. S. Pollock's, and obtain the great Irish song "The Babies in our Block," or "Little Sally Waters"; price sixpence. [Advt.] To those suffering from sore throat or hoarseness caused by practising " The Babies in our Block," or any other great Irish song, instant relief can be obtained by indulging in one bottle of Francis' Syrup of Irish Moss, which can be obtained at W. Barnett's, Chemist, Seddon street, agent.—[Advt.]