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Kumara Times, Issue 1476, 21 June 1881, Page 2

We understand that in the Kumara State School yesterday, a letter purporting to be from the Local School Committee was read to the children, the substance of the communication being that the parents who did not pay the sixpence of which we heard so much would be forthwith summoned to the Court. Under any circumstances it would be advisible to settle the matter one way or the other, for the present position of affairs is a scandal to the district; but we cannot refrain from expressing an opinion that the whole tenor of the Education Act shows very plainly that it was never contemplated to impose a poll-tax. At the same time it is very evident that it was not intended that children in the State schools should be supplied with school requisites gratis. Every impartial person must admit that these things should be paid for. It appears that the real reason for refusing payment hitherto has been the highly objectionable manner in which the demand hes been made, and the offensive action which was taken with regard to certain children. It is rumored that a test case will be shortly tried in Court, precedence being given to a gentleman who has taken a prominent part in denouncing the principle upon which the Committee has acted. On inquiry at the Hospital this morning concerning the two miners who were yesterday rescued from a terrible fate by the falling in of the face of their claim, we were pleased to find Moffat, one of the two, up and dressed, having the wounds on his head and ear bathed and attended

to. Patrick Eilej 7 , we were sorry to learn, besides having his left leg broke—not the right, as we were yesterday informed—also had his collar-bone broken. We regret to state that owing to present severe family affliction Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., has been reluctantly compelled to absent himself from parliamentary duties. We sincerely sympathise with our esteemed member, because we know that whilst he is eager to be present at Wellington, the tenderness of a father's heart will not allow him to move from the chamber of affliction when the life of a promising child seems suspended by so slender a thread, as is the case at present. At the Resident Magistrate's Court held last evening, several civil cases were called upon, but there was no appearance in either instance. At the sitting of the Court this afternoon, before J. O'Hagan, and R. J. Seddon, Esqs., J.Ps., Louisa O'Brien was charged, on remand, with larceny of books, the property of Robert Wright. Evidence was taken at a considerable length, and the offence being proved, the prisoner was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with hard labor. The Hospital Committee will hold their usual meeting this evening, at the Secretary's rooms, Main street, at 8 o'clock. The weekly parade of the local Rifle Contingent will take place this evening. Captain Edwin telegraphed to the harbor-masters yesterday afternoon as follows :—" Expect bad weather from any quarter between north-east and north and west. The glass will fall again soon, and the sea become heavy after 12 hours." The Committee of the Kuniara Literary Institute announce that they have given up the old reading room adjoining Mr Burger's (tobacconist's) shop, and have taken one of the front rooms just fitted up for Mrs Phelan, adjoining the old Clarendon Hotel, in Main street. This has been done, we understand, for the more economical working of the Institute. The new room appears very warm and comfortable, and has the advantage of being a trifle larger than the former one. A fresh consignment of useful and instructive books has also been added to the library within the past few days ; so that those persons who are seeking for something and somewhere to employ their leisure time during these long evenings may find ample intellectual food and enjoyment by the outlay of thevery reasonable fee advertised. The Loyal Orange Lodge will hold its annual grand supper and ball in the Lodge Room at Kumara, on Tuesday, the 12th of next month. Every preparation is being made to ensure the festival being as great a success as on former occasions. . The official declaration of the poll for the Grey Valley election was announced by Mr Stratford, Returning Officer, at the Court House, Greymouth, yesterday morning, at ten o'clock, as follows : Thomas Shailer Weston 995 Gerald George Fitz Gerald 919 James Mill Morris ... 89 Mr Weston had already taken his departure for Wellington, as he arrived at Kumara on Saturday evening last, en route for Wellington, and would have proceeded direct to Christchurch ; but finding he would have been unable to get through at once, owing to the heavy rains, he went on to Hokitika on Sunday morning, and took coach there this morning for Christchurch, thence to Wellington. In his absence at the declaration of the poll, Mr A. R. Guinness returned thanks on Mr Weston's behalf. Mr G. G. FitzGerald was present, and returned thanks to the 919 electors who had voted for him. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer concluded the proceedings. The Wellington correspondent of the West Coast Times telegraphed yesterday : " The Minister of Lands informed me to-day that he has withdrawn from sale the land applied for by the Harbor Board, in the middle of the Board's reserve : but he is not disposed at present to promise that he will bring in a bill handing it over to the Board." Mr T. Maher, the well-known driver of Cobb's coach, has instructed Messrs Buckley, Stafford, and Fitzherbert, to proceed against the Wellington Corporation in the Supreme Court, to recover £3OO damages in consideration of an accident which, it will be remembered, befel Mr Maher some time ago while driving along Willis street. It is alleged that the accident was due to the faulty construction of the street, for which the Corporation is liable. Thee hundred thousand pounds lately arrived at Berlin from St. Petersburg to be deposited in the foreign banks for the Princess Dolgorouki, the Czar's second wife.

There is in London a Cinderella, Dancing Club. As the name indicates, all the dances break up at the hour of midnight. But to belong to this fraternity, or sisterhood—for ladies are eligible—you must first establish your character as a proficient dancer by showing your ability to waltz up the ball-room) so as to never deviate from one plank. Then you have to perform the same feat) doing the reverse.