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Kumara Times, Issue 1474, 18 June 1881, Page 2

A heavy thunderstorm passed over the town at half-past twelve o’clock this afternoon ; one thunder-clap at that time was so near and produced such a clicking sound as to cause many to rush out of their dwellings to see if the roofs of their houses had been smashed in. This was the case witli our worthy Town Clerk too, who seemed to fear that the recent repairs to the Borough Chambers were torn asunder again. So far- as we can learn, however, the electric fluid did not strike any building, and no damage occurred to life or property. Another storm passed over at 1.45 p.m., and a third and fourth still later, but not so directly over the town. This day has proved a fitting reminder of the memorable Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815).

Both the Christchurch coaches left the Bealey this morning, at the usual early hour; and, notwithstanding the swollen rivers, arrived at three o’clock this afternoon, with several passengers. We fegfet to hear that the nWlChrespeCted incumbent of Holy Trinity Church is so ill as to render it necessary to dispense with the Usual service tomorrow at that Church'. All the returns from the different polling places for the Grey Valley election are now in, and make the majority for Mr Thomas Shaler Weston 76, showing that the election resulted in a close contest. The number of votes recorded is 1193. The complete returns of the polling are as follow 1—

The official declaration of the poll will be made on Monday morning. In the House of Representatives, on Tnursday last, the second reading of the Hospitals ind Charitable Aid Bill, was, after discussion, agreed to.—Yesterday, Sir William Fox gave notice that he would move that a conference of both Houses be appointed to consider the advisability of abolishing the sale of spirituous liquor in the Parliamentary building.—The Gambling and Lotteries Bill of last session is to be introduced, and,, if possible, passed this year.—lt is not expected that the Budget will be ready before the middle of July. With the exception that a private match is now being played between Mr R. Cross, of Hokitika, and Mr A. R. Petrie, of Kumara, chess matters have been dull and quiet for a long time past. These two gentlemen are playing, we understand, for a small trophy,, the winner of the first four games to take the prize. Each player has won two, so that they may be considered as very equal in strength. A correspondent, who signs himself “ Axa,” asserts that several players have been practising assiduously of late and are anxious to rouse the “lions” but of their slumber, to see if they cannot now be overpowered. We commend his letter to the attention of chess enthusiasts. Messrs Girdwood, Lahman, and Co. will sell at the Preston Yards, Greymouth, on Monday next, some exceptionally fine quality bullocks, fat wethers, and fat porkers. In consequence of the rough weather, Mr Hannan’s Licensing Festival, which was to have been held last evening, is postponed till some day next week, of which due notice will be given. The Pacific mail steamer City of New York, left Sydney on Thursday, for Auckland and San Francisco. Bro. H. Gordon, Past Master of the Masonic Fraternity, was on last Tuesday evening elected Worshipful Master of the Greymouth Lodge for the ensuing year; and at a meeting of the Royal Arch, on Thursday evening, Bro. J. J. Blackmore was elected First Principal; Companion J. G. Thomas, Second Principal ; Companion N. B. Barkley, Third Principal ; Companion J. E. Warner, Scribe E. ; Companion Gibbons, Scribe K ; Companion John Dawn, Principal Sojourner ; Companions Rotherwell and Richard Drew, Assistant Sojourners ; Companion Andrew Fowler, Janitor. After a most exhaustive inquiry into the resources and capabilities of the country which the Otago Central Railway line is intended to pass, the Commissioners unhesitatingly pronounce in favor of its immediate construction. According to the Timaru Herald a perfect public man, if there could be such a thing, would be a combination of Mr Hall’s honesty, industry, and practical ability, with Sir George Grey’s eloquence, intrepidity, and irrepressible pertinacity. The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times states that recently a fracas took place in Brougham street between Mr Baird, the city surveyor, and Mr W. Spreat, Government surveyor, over a professional dispute. Walkingsticks were used, the latter gentleman getting decidedly the worst of it.

Mr Langdon’s house at Langdon’s Ferry, three miles above Briinnerton, was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening last. The Auckland timber Company are erecting dt Mdngonui a saw-mill to cut 100,000 to ISO,OOO feet a week-. The cost will be £IO,OOO. The following thirteen gentlemen wete, on Tuesday last-, elected as the Westland Hospital Committee for the ensuing year; Messrs A, W. BoCk, J M'Goldrick, D. Bourke, W Keller, W. Hilldrup, A. L. King, W. Heinz, John Peake, John Cross, Herman Meyer, David Upjohn, Robert Benjamin, M. H. Linstrom, Alex. Sargison, Henry Z, Levy» Mr Pish, of Dunedin, obtained £25 from two other members of the St. Leonard’s School Committee for breaking his ribs in a scuffle for possession of the Committee’s minute book. A whale, about seventy-five feet long, came ashore at Warrington, Blueskln, Otago, the other day, near Mr George M‘Lean’s residence. A Ballarat councillor moved “That a widow’s application for remission of rates stand over, as she might marry a man able to pay them.” The 120 oz, nugget found at Temora will give £IOO per man to the quartette of lucky finders. A man, aged about one hundred and three years, appeared before the Sydney Police Court the other day, on a charge of drunkenness. He was discharged on hia friends agreeing to take care of him. The Superintendent of Telegraphs in South Australia has received the following telegram from Wallace, June sth “ I and my party arrived on the Roper with 1700 cattle and 74 horses. We left behind 900 calves and 40 head of working horses. Queensland is a grand colony, with rich open downs, comparatively well watered. With a road to the northern territory a great deal of country would be opened, poor, but all cattle country and well watered. I have lost a few stock. It is believed from what is seen and heard that a great tract of downs’ country south of M‘Arthur’s river is found and will shortly be occupied. It is thought the other best territory part that has been proved will carry sheep profitably to the Queensland border.” Successful experiments have been made between the Adelaide Observatory and Sir J. Milne’s residence, Sunnyside, five miles distant, with the myclograph, a new system of signalling by means of red and white lights, in vented.by Mr Rae, telegraph Inspector ol the Western Australia line. Rae intends leaving for England to bring the invention before the Admiralty. A heavy fall of snow is reported at Ballarat, Beechworth, and other places in Victoria. The following letter was received by the Sydney Evening News from a northern correspondent, and is a verbatim copy : —“ Sir—Would you kindly inform me in your next issue if you think their could be a chance of obtaining a Wife out of the Emigrants comming out by the Clyde as I am working in a lonesome plase and young Women are very scarce. I am 25 tall and Considered Good looking and in constant Work earning £2 5s a week by informing me where I would have to apply to for the same you would oblige. (PS) I would make a good and loving Husband. ”

Weston. FitzGerald. Morris. Greymouth ... 229 114 11 Cobden ... 50 3 0 Ahaura 37 49 2 Westbrook ... 5 97 0 Paroa 23 25 0 Black’s Point 113 21 1 Reefton 147 92 1 Brunnerton ... 81 31 1 Marsden 17 38 21 Greenstone ... 8 18 3 Nelson Creek 13 62 31 Boatman’s ... 49 95 0 Little Grey ... 28 23 0 Granville 41 20 0 Maori Creek... 32 64 0 Maori Gully... 7 36 0 Barry town ... 21 70 0 No Town 58 55 3 Moonlight ... 12 6 0 993 919 79