The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1448, 19 May 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1881.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council takes place this evening. We remind patrons of the legitimate drama that the Comedy and Burlesque Company make their re-appearance at the Theatre Royal this evening, when, in addition to the well-known merits of this company, they will be powerfully strengthened by the popular actor and actress, Mr J. J. Wallace and Mrs Walter Hill, both of whose credentials are of a very high order. “The Irish Exile” is the

piece to be produced, a romantic drama, in four acts ; it is one in which Mr Wallace is enabled to display almost to perfection, we are told, Iris particular points of excellence, and as this will be his first appearance before the Kumara public, we hope to see these two artistes and the company welcomed by a large and appreciative audience. At a meeting of the Westland County Council yesterday, a resolution was passed that the Road from Dillman’s Town to the Christchurch road be commenced at once ; plans and specifications to be prepared for the whole road, in one mile sections, by the next meeting of the Council, The election of auditors for the Borough is announced elsewhere to take place at the Town Hall on Wednesday, the Ist June. The nomination of candidates for that office is fixed for next Wednesday, the 25th inst. The County Chairman, (Mr R. J. Seddon) yesterday applied to the Waste Lands Board to have the land in Union street from its junction with the Main road, Kumara, to the sea beach thrown open for sale, so as to have a vote placed 'dn the Estimates for a road to open this •large tract of good land. The construction of this road would be a great boon to the district, and tend to promote settlement, as well as offer facilities to mining prospectors, for the whole country lies between lands which have already been proved to be auriferous ; and, so far as is at present known, we believe this is the best agricultural land within a radius of many miles. The Chief Surveyor was instructed to report thereon. The tender of R. M'Kenzie and A. S. Sutherland for protective Woifca at Goldsborough was yesterday accepted by the County Council, The tender of J, Nightingale for a wire bridge over the Kapitea Creek, on the Chesterfield track, was also accepted. At the meeting of the Hospital Committee on Tuesday evening last, Mr Alexander Ross was appointed Wardsman to the local Hospital. Piles for dolphins are required by Messrs Price and O’Connor, the contractors for the second section of the Kumara sludge-channel. Tenders for the supply of same will be received by them until 8 o’clock next Monday evening. Tonks’ Albion Derby Sweep on the Adelaide Queen’s Birthday Cup is the only investment of the kind at present on the tapis in Kumara, and only three days for parties to consider whether they will or will not invest in this the thirtieth of Mr Tonks’ popular drawings. Tickets must therefore be obtained without delay by those wishing to invest, which can be ■done by applying to Mr Gilbert Stewart, Kumara, or Mr C. E. Peters, Dillman’s Town. Mata, the New' Zealand horse is, w'e see by our cablegram, first favorite for this race. It now appears that there were at least 151 persons on board the ill-fated Tararua. As only 20 escaped, no less than 131 persons perished in the mishap which befel her. A few minutes after eleven o’clock on Saturday night a slight shock of earthquake, comprising three vibrations, was felt in parts of Christchurch. At the Bealey the trembling sensation experienced was more pronounced. The population of Christchurch City is 15,780 males and 15,199 females, a total of 30,979. This heads Dunedin City proper (within the Town Belt) by 6602 ; but if Dunedin suburbs be added, then the population of Dunedin exceeds that of Christchurch by 10,905. The latter city includes a much larger area than that of Dunedin. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse made a mistake on the 10th inst., which might have cost him his life. He had been in the habit (says the Post) of taking a harmless medicine for some days, and when he got up he omitted not to apply to the usual (as he thought) bottle. His horror may be easily imagined when he discovered just after he had swallowed two large spoonfuls that the medicine was chloral. He thought, like the Irishman, he w'as “kilt intirely,” and rushed to a chemist’s shop near by, where he explained his pre. dicament and obtained a strong emetic. Fortunately this was effective. The Queensland transcontinental survey find that the country traversed is easy for railway construction. The recent international football match between the English and Scotch Association teams, played on the Surrey cricket ground in London, was easily won by the Scotch by six goals to one. The match Scotch v. Welsh was played at Wrixham, and was won by the former by five goals to one.

A great many Europeans in Palmerston have been attacked by fever, but the attacks were not fatal. Europeans are urged not to seek for alluvial gold, as it is hopeless for them to compete with the Chinese. Some of the more adventurous members of the Alpine Club, who begin to feel that they have now exhausted the Alps, have made known their intention of exploring the high mountains in the Canterbury Province, New Zealand. Mount Cook (remarks a Gloucester paper), will quite suit their taste, as it has an elevation of between 13,000 and 14,000 feet, and has never yet been scaled. The Australians make tours to New Zealand to see the scenery just as English and Americans rush to Switzerland in the summer months. Wives are won in many ways (writes the Narracoorte Herald, South Australia), but it was left for Narracoorte to dispose of a wife by public auction with a tent and cooking utensils—all in one lot. This was done a few days ago about two miles from Narracoorte. A man who had been working here for some time was going away, and not to be encumbered with any unnecessary hindrances, the most cumbersome of which was his wife, he offered his effects, consisting of tent, cooking things and wife, for auction. The highest bidder was a blacksmith, who paid £5, and took over the chattels as a job lot, without any objections from the live stock. The Revised Version of the New Testa* ment, which will be issued in about two months, will be published at 12s 6d, Bs, 4s 6d, 2s 6d, and Is.